by Brian Bergen-Aurand The concept of “obscenity” is tested when we dare to look at something that we desire to see but have forbidden ourselves to look at. When we feel that everything has been revealed, “obscenity” disappears and there is a certain liberation. When that which one had wanted to see isn’t sufficiently revealed, … Continue reading
Tag Archives: Censorship
Democracy, Borrowing, Lending, and Sharing (part 2)
by Brian Bergen-Aurand To censor comes from the Sanskrit śamsati, with its references to “recites, praises,” and śasa “song of praise.” To censor something is to praise it, to recite its praises as a thing worthy for its affect and effect. To censor is to give credence to the idea that things, ideas, books, and … Continue reading
Censorship as a Dynamic Activity
by Brian Bergen-Aurand Thus, censorship emerges as a dynamic activity. Taking my cues from Foucault and Kuhn, I seek to show that power is a relation and not a possession by placing censorship in dialogue with film production and reception. ~Monika Mehta From the start, Monika Mehta’s Censorship and Sexuality in Bombay Cinema (University of … Continue reading
Democracy, Borrowing, Lending, and Sharing (part 1)
by Brian Bergen-Aurand If God had wanted it, he would have made you a single community, but he wanted, the Koran tells us [5:48], to test you through the gift of difference. ~Mustapha Chérif, Islam and the West I believe that what distinguishes the idea of democracy from all other ideas of political regimes—monarchy, aristocracy, … Continue reading
Foreign Influence 