PAST CENSORSHIP

PAST CENSORSHIP. In 1991 an article in the Telegraph Herald described the current state of censorship in America. The article included the protests and boycotting of the 1988 film "The Last Temptation of Christ" and the subsequent banning of the film in hundreds of movie theaters across the united States. According to the author, it was a world in which people attempted to ban Stephen King's 1988 thrilled "Children of the Corn." Congress in 1911 required grant recipients to sign a pledge not to use federal money to produce works that might be seen as obscene.

Despire this, arts and entertainment officials in Dubuque reported few problems with censorship. Ruth NASH who had been involved in the arts in Dubuque for twenty-five years said she was unaware of a censorship problem here. Ann McCaw, director of the DUBUQUE MUSEUM OF ART said she had never had a problem, nor had Jerry ENZLER of the DUBUQUE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY. Enzler reported the society even displayed a KU KLUX KLAN robe in an exhibit about the history of the ARCHDIOCESE OF DUBUQUE but never had a complaint.

According to local arts groups, no attempt was even made to practice self-censorship. David Wm. RUSK, a member of the board of the DUBUQUE ARTS COUNCIL explained that the council attempted to widen the appreciation of the arts.

FIVE FLAGS CIVIC CENTER was able to report one incident of protest. In 1985 a performance of the rock group Kiss was protested by people who believed the music group worked for Satan. The Dubuque city council also banned TOUGHMAN CONTESTS from the Center.

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Source:

1. Lamphier-Hoffert, Denise, "Censored," Telegraph Herald, May 24, 1991, p. 7