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On Censorship

Given what's happening in America right now, I suspect it won't be long before the First Amendment begins fighting for its life.

With that in mind, I thought I'd share my most successful poem to date, though it's hardly a poem at all.

It is based on my experience of living in South Africa during Apartheid.

 

In The Tradition Of The Star

 

This poem is censored.

I cannot mention ____ _______,

a banned person; ______ _____

or _____ ______.

Their organisation, ___ ___,

may not be discussed under

the current State of Emergency.

I cannot include a photo,

share details, describe actions.

 

I give you blank space:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

in protest.

 

 

🌷(2)

CensorshipSouth AfricaProtest

◄ Dear Donald Trump

I Looked At Evil ►

Comments

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Linda Cosgriff

Tue 25th Apr 2017 12:04

Thanks for your comments, everyone.

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Andy N

Mon 20th Mar 2017 12:54

very very clever, Linda. would suggest reading it out at Stockport but not sure how you would manage it.

still class x

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suki spangles

Sat 18th Mar 2017 04:21

Hi Linda,

Censorship has being rampant since 9/11 - Patriot Acts 1 and 2.

What's also as insidious was Obama in 2012, through the revised NDAA, legalising propaganda on the US public with the nullification of the Smith-Mundt Act of 1948.

Your redacted poem sums up some of these issues nicely.

Suki

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Tommy Carroll

Fri 17th Mar 2017 17:13

Hi Linda

There was severe press censorship in the 1970's, I forget the country or the publication, but the publication involved had several leading articles censored, so that day's paper had large blank spaces on the front and inside pages The editorial staff had made a stark point.
The government forbade the usage of such anti-government propaganda.

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