The Turner Diaries & Censorship

The Turner Diaries & Censorship

   The article entitled, "The Selling of the Turner Diaries" on the cover of your June 1996 issue seems at odds with the usual alternative belief that freedom is an inherent quality of life. When a book, however odious, is banned, the flames of curiosity are fanned. If the effort to ban this book is successful, then a new chapter begins in censorship.

   "I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend with my life your right to say it," seems very appropriate in this instance. To promote a public campaign not to buy the book is another form of censorship. While I may find Nazism distasteful, racism indefensibie and right wing militias fearful, they exist because we have the right to be different and because society has not been able to convince their supporters of a better way to solve their perceived differences. Any form of censorship should be opposed for then we will all be more free.

James R. Carr

JACKSON