X-Rated Videos and a Free Society

Sally Marshall (“Are X-Rated Videos the Price of a Free Society?” Platform, Dec. 1), presents an interesting dilemma. The presence of hard-core pornographic videos in her community has affected her life for the worst. She would like to see this imposition on her life removed, but she fears that such “censorship” could lead to other forms of censorship.

I celebrate our country’s ideal of guaranteeing basic freedoms, such as freedom of speech and freedom of the press. But as anyone who has received a minimal civic education realizes, these freedoms have limits. (Remember the cliche about not yelling “Fire!” in a crowded theater?) In order to guarantee an enduring and healthy society, nobody has the right to injure that society or the citizens.

We have certain standards as a society. Video stores do not have curtained-off sections filled with films that depict violence against ethic minorities. This would not be tolerated. Why then do we tolerate such a huge video and magazine industry that glamorizes violence against and denigration of women? I hope that the time soon comes when people educate themselves about the nature and effects of pornography, so that communities can act to eliminate it. Let’s end the silence.

ANNE PHILLIPS

Covina