The Quality of Our Public Discussion

As a defender of free speech ... we also fervently hope that the outcome does not lead publishers to shy away from manuscripts that editors think are worthwhile but that are about, or even by, people who may be considered contemptible.” https://t.co/Fmbp1pnoqX

— Michael Slackman (@meslackman) March 8, 2020

Almost every tweet in response argues Mr. Allen can self publish, so there is no harm here. But the PEN statement addresses pressures to stop publication of books based on public opprobrium (or, in this case, staff disapproval). Should we approve the effective banning of books? It isn’t a 1st Amendment free speech issue, but free speech in America means much more than barring government action and censorship. PEN is concerned about the right problem here. The critics of PEN (on Twitter at least) are concerned about the purity of their righteousness. They are very sure they are without any sin.