‘I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.’ Whether Voltaire really said this or not, it’s a perplexing issue. Indeed, freedom of speech’s a matter I have trouble deciding about: I think people should be free to say what they want. Yet what’s said may exploit vulnerable individuals. And in more extreme cases, it may adversely influence society at large. Last week the British Home Office named a persona non grata list of 22 people no longer allowed entry to the UK. The 22 include Islamic extremists, a right-wing Jew, a Hamas lawmaker, white supremacists and a US radio personality. Fair enough? Maybe. But where should the line be drawn? The play Seven Jewish Children has been labelled anti-Semitic and anti-Israel. I haven’t seen the play, but the label’s probably accurate because the play’s being staged in Melbourne by ‘Australians for Palestine’. Anglo-Jewish actor Miriam Margolyes (pictured) is complicit. Should she know better? And should the venue – the State Library of Victoria? The 8-minute play so outraged (non-Jewish) British playwright Richard Stirling that he penned a rebuttal play titled Seven Other Children. The trustees of a Liverpool festival,responding to complaints after their programme listing of the former play, are now considering a request to stage both plays consecutively. Now there’s a real test of freedom of speech. Eh, Voltaire?
5 comments:
Here is Ms Margolyses's self justification. Has it occurred to her that the name of the play is Seven Jewish Children, i.e. not Seven Israeli Children?
And here's yet even more self justification. Ms Margolyes is clearly on the back foot. You get into bed with dogs and you wake up with fleas.
Also on the difficult topic of freedom of speech, there's this.
Here is the latest as at 17 May 2009. Fascinating development.
Here is the latest as at the time of the performance in Melbourne.
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