This is a version of a speech I made to the No Boundaries conference at the Bristol Watershed Theatre on how censorship affects the arts, museums and libraries.
The organisers asked me to talk about political correctness and the arts; a touchy subject which requires enormous sensitivity to the feelings of others, and long, thoughtful discussions of whether we should use the term ‘political correctness’ at all. Unfortunately, they continued, you have only 10 minutes and there will be no time for any of that. You will just have to get on with it.
So forgive me if I belt out arguments like a machine gun, but I must get on.
Politically correct culture presents four problems for writers and artists.
1. Political correctness is not politically correct.
The naïve might assume that political correctness means being against sexism, racism and homophobia.
It is easy enough to be against all three if you believe in universal human rights.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in