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Tom Woody
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Freedom of Speech in Poetry - Where to draw the line?

Blog Posted by Tom Woody: 11/26/2024 4:38:00 PM

A tricky subject to tackle, to be sure. Perhaps someone might suggest that where free speech is concerned, no lines can or ever should be drawn. And there are so many variables to consider. For example, where a person lives and the cultural norms they have grown up with can greatly impact how they view free speech or how it has been commonly interpreted in their society.

Poetry is just one of many forms of communication. For simplicity sake, we will focus on what is commonly viewed as unacceptable speech in many lands. Let's think about how it relates to the poetry we pen and specifically, what may be viewed as unacceptable on a family-friendly poetry site. 

1. Slander

Slander is commonly misunderstood. It is not simply gossip gone bad. Slander is a malicious, deliberate public attempt to damage or even destroy another person's reputation by means of lies and/or distortions. In most lands, slander that can be proven in a court of law can result in significant civil damages being awarded to the victim.

2. Religious blasphemy or apostate writings

This one might not be as much of an issue in western lands as it once was. However, in the past heretics and blasphemers have been placed on racks, excommunicated and even burned at the stake. In some lands blasphemous writings may still result in a death penalty, or lesser penalties.

3. Seditious writings against governments or governmental authorities

Once again, in western lands it seems to be the order of the day to pummel politicians and governments without letup. This was not always the case, however, and in some lands today to speak out publicly against a leader can still result in imprisonment and even death.

4. Writings placing children (minors) in danger or depicting such in a hurtful way

Should writing that ridicules child sexual or physical abuse or makes light of the situation be tolerated on any level in society? The news recently featured a major civil lawsuit won against a well known individual who ridiculed as a conspiracy the mass shooting of children at a public school.

5. Poetry that has as its goal defaming, ridiculing or otherwise targeting a fellow poet in an unflattering light 

No explanation required.

 

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list. I'm hoping it spurs honest and frank discussion. Indeed, free speech is on trial. It's constantly being played out in the news. The question for us is this: Where do we draw the line, both here on Poetry Soup as well as in our personal lives? 

Tommy

 

 



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Date: 12/1/2024 6:37:00 PM
I believe we should embrace poetry without limits. Just as someone who loves poetry can choose what speaks to them, we all have the power to select our preferences. I find inspiration in all forms: romantic, gory, prejudiced, religious, and humorous. Art is art, and it deserves our open hearts and minds.
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Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 12/2/2024 4:32:00 AM
I see. So you would have no problem with someone making light of child abuse, or perhaps writing a poem defaming or ridiculing you or a family member? Interesting
Date: 11/30/2024 2:42:00 AM
If you’ve something good to say about one’s poetry, write on. If you’ve something bad to say, take a good look at yourself before mocking someone else…. Have you heard the mocking bird - Who hangs on to every word - Doesn’t care if one gets hurt - By the words most rude and curt.…….. Beryl
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Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 11/30/2024 4:08:00 AM
Good advice, though there are times one feels compelled to speak up
Date: 11/29/2024 10:58:00 AM
I can respect boundaries, picket fences, and cookie cutters, and how the First Amendment (at times) doesn't apply to the private sector like PS (T&C). Yes, I can. No problem. But what I can't understand is how cyberbullying (I just read a blog today on this site), and how another poet describes how some poets write spiteful poems aimed at other poets... And I can even add another entry-trolling (yo, Tommy). I say this is all bad. But what I can't understand is that if the aforementioned is bad then why is it condoned and left unchecked?
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Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 11/30/2024 5:52:00 PM
We aim to please
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Connie Pachecho
Date: 11/30/2024 7:09:00 AM
I just read PS T&C 1 to 30 again, again, again. I recognize that when submitting a poem that I must check off the box at the bottom of the submission page, agreeing to PS T&C 1-30. I see that more clearly now after Tom brought this blog to the readers attention. So I can thank Tom for that. Ty Tom.
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Tom Woody
Date: 11/29/2024 11:08:00 AM
I reported a poem recently, no action yet. I have had a dozen or more poems depicting me in a negative light. Others the same. I like Charlotte's comment below, ie, it speaks volumes about them
Date: 11/28/2024 12:53:00 PM
Tom, as long as the poem does not hurt anyone, or group, or opinion then I guess it is okay to write about anything. But, feel that poetry should be beautiful so I will let others write of the dark side of life, of course, I do write about death a lot but hopefully in a beautiful way ~
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Tom Woody
Date: 11/28/2024 1:14:00 PM
Nice comment Constance. Sadly, many poems here are deliberately written to hurt others, as Charlotte points out
Date: 11/27/2024 6:48:00 PM
Freedom of speech is an illusion. We don’t even have it on the Soup.
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 11/28/2024 10:48:00 AM
yes, that is true, Keith. Nor on Facebook and other places, not like in the past anyway. I agree with not allowing vulgarity here, but they take it too far not allowing common words that can be taken in ways that are not always vulgar.
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Tom Woody
Date: 11/28/2024 5:40:00 AM
Thx for thought for the day
Date: 11/27/2024 1:51:00 PM
interesting blog, as yours often are...let me quote some advice from a 'professional' judge and fellow of the royal society of literature: "my most important advice is don't allow yourself to be ruled by rules, you can write about anything in the world, that's what poetry does, it allows you to write about unspeakable things." i have very little filter when i write, i feel there's no subject i can't write about...where i do draw the line is the writing of spiteful poems aimed at other poets, i see a lot of it on here, but such 'poems' say more about the writer than the person they're aimed at
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Mary Lynn Nakoneczny
Date: 12/16/2024 7:22:00 PM
Charlotte, you, and I think very much alike about this topic. To be honest; I think so little about censorship, that I almost forgot it IS a topic. I was the first poet in the stream to comment AGAINST filtering poetry. My poems are raw, provocative, offensive, sacrilegious, beautiful, eloquent, thought-provoking, intelligent...and so forth. My point is that a true poet does not need filtering. A poet also knows all too well that to take direct offense regarding the most awesome freedom in creative writing...Well, that is almost blasphemous.
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Maria Williams
Date: 12/3/2024 12:31:00 AM
Well said ,I so agree Charlotte
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John Read
Date: 11/28/2024 11:56:00 AM
Well said Charlotte. xx
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 11/28/2024 10:50:00 AM
yes, Charlotte, spiteful poems aimed at people and which are clear in this intent. Not a good look. Also I agree with you that anything can be written about, even horrific things if done in a sophistacated way, as I've seen you do.
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Tom Woody
Date: 11/27/2024 2:46:00 PM
Amen!
Date: 11/27/2024 1:20:00 PM
Would a Marty Feldman joke work here? Heh
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Keith D Trestrail
Date: 11/27/2024 6:47:00 PM
Yep!

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