Discussion # 6: Please read Richard Meyer’s essay entitled “The Jesse Helms Theory of Art.” In this essay, Meyer discusses the “culture wars” of the 1980s, censorship of art, and the question of whether federal tax money should be used to support exhibitions that might be deemed to be of “questionable decency.” First, please explain what the “culture wars” were; you may have to look it up online or in your textbook. Then give an example from the essay where an artist’s work was censored for lacking what the government called “general standards of decency.” Please give your opinion also on whether you think federal tax money should be used for all art exhibitions, regardless of the content. Is there any subject matter that should not be condoned or supported? Does the government have the right to censor exhibitions or artists if tax-payer dollars are involved? How did the author of the article also face censorship? In discussing these questions, please write at least 300 words, write in essay form (no bullet-points or copying other student’s work) and please note the page numbers where you found information within these essays to support your answers. If you quote statements directly, use quote marks.
