In a letter dated Sept. 21, ABFFE warned the Senate
Rules Committee that the formation of a special Committee on American Culture would create
a potential threat to free speech. The committee was scheduled to consider a proposal by
Senator Sam Brownback to form a special committee with subpoena power to investigate
"cultural regression" and propose ideas for "cultural renewal." A
member of Senator Brownback's staff said that committee would gather data on the impact of
"pop culture"; explore links between violent entertainment and crime, and
between sexually explicit material and teen sexual activity. The committee would also
study the problems created by out-of-wedlock births and divorce.
|
|
 |
|
"Booksellers share many of
the same complaints about the media as other Americans. But they are also sensitive to the
danger of censorship that inevitably arises when government sets itself the task of
improving the quality of entertainment," ABFFE President Chris Finan wrote. "We
urge you to consider the potential threat to free speech posed by the creation of a
Committee on Culture."
Reports from Washington today
indicate that the Brownback proposal is likely to be approved in some form.
Reminder: Sign the
"Appeal to Reason!"
ABFFE has joined other
anti-censorship groups in launching a petition drive to oppose the current rush to censor
material with violent content. If you haven't done so already, please read and sign the
"Appeal to Reason." It is located on the web site of the Free Expression
Network, www.freeexpression.org.
ABFFE Releases
Violence Reading List
Following the shootings at
Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, ABFFE began to compile a list of books
that booksellers couldrecommend to customers who want to learn more about violence in
American life, particularly as it affects young people. ABFFE has selected 30 titles that
were recommended by members of its Board of Directors, booksellers and publishers. We
would appreciate your comments on any of the books on the list as well as suggestions for
additions. The list is posted on the ABFFE web site. You can
also order one from ABFFE by email (chris@abffe.com),
telephone, (212) 587-4025, or fax, (212) 587-2436.
ABFFE Defends Right
to Publish Memoir of Palestinian Terrorist
On Sept. 16, ABFFE issued a press
release defending the right of Arcade Publishing to publish the autobiography of Abu
Daoud, a Palestinian who planned the kidnapping of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich
Olympics that ended in the deaths of two of the athletes. Arcade has been the target of
protests since it announced that it would publish the book next year. Former Ohio Senator
Howard Metzenbaum, a friend of the family of one of the athletes who died, has urged
booksellers not to sell the book because it will help the author profit from his
crimes.
ABFFE President Chris Finan said
that protests aimed at publishers or booksellers are misguided."People have a First
Amendment right to urge others not to buy a particular book, but when they pressure
publishers or booksellers not to sell it, they are depriving readers of the opportunity to
decide for themselves whether they want to buy it or not," he said. "They
violate the spirit of the First Amendment."
Jeanette and
Richard Seaver, the publishers of Arcade, have defended their decision to issue the book
on the grounds that Abu Daoud provides a perspective on the Palestinian fight for an
independent homeland that has been absent until now. The book also sets forth his views on
the current state of Palestinian-Israeli relations.
Bookseller Demand
for Banned Books Week Kits is Up 30-percent this Year
The number of booksellers who
asked ABFFE to send them Banned Books Week kits increased by more than 30 per cent this
year. Over 1,000 ABA members requested the free promotional kit for Banned Books Week,
which begins Saturday and runs through Oct. 2. ABFFE also sold more than 400 of its
"Pleasantville" T-shirts and signed up many new members. What accounts for this
sudden surge in interest? Certainly, booksellers have not missed the growing support for
censorship on Capitol Hill. But there is also a very pragmatic reason for participating in
Banned Books Week. Customers love it. They are shocked when they learn that someone has
attacked books that they love and in many cases have shared with their children. They are
grateful to the bookseller for bringing this to their attention and for helping defend
their First Amendment rights.
ABFFE would like to make next
year's Banned Books Week even bigger. Please send us pictures of your displays as well as
descriptions of the other things you did to promote Banned Books Week. When we receive
them, we will post them on our web site, www.abffe.com,
to give other booksellers some new ideas. ABFFE's address is 139 Fulton St., Suite 302,
New York, NY 10038. Email can be sent to chris@abffe.com.
