PEN America Calls on Cooper Union to Reopen an Exhibit on the Legacy of Vkhutemas, a Design School Shuttered by Joseph Stalin
Kristen Shahverdian, senior manager of free expression and education, released the following comments: “Cooper Union’s decision to halt the opening of Vkhutemas: Laboratory of the Avant-Garde, 1920–1930 raises serious questions… More
Bill to Ban TikTok is a Sweeping Resort to Censorship that Would Undermine Free Expression, Says PEN America
Proposals such as Hawley’s–including the recently introduced Terminate TikTok on Campus Act (H.R. 231), which would prohibit federal funding of higher education institutions unless they ban TikTok on institution-owned… More
Paula Vogel on Cancellation of ‘Indecent’
Paula Vogel talks to PEN America about the cancelation of her play, Indecent, at a Florida high school. More
PEN America pays tribute to Russell Banks, a giant of letters and staunch ally
PEN America paid tribute on Monday to novelist Russell Banks, a longtime advocate of free expression and member of PEN America, who died over the weekend at age 82. More
The Absurd Year in Educational Censorship, From Gay Penguins to the Gettysburg Address
It has been an absurd year for educational censorship. More
PEN America Calls on Elon Musk to Reverse Twitter Suspensions of Journalists
”It’s alarming but unfortunately not so surprising to see Musk silencing journalists or creating new content regulation rules on a whim, based purely on what he finds inconvenient for… More
Rising Restrictions on Artistic Freedom in Africa Linked to Political Crises, Flawed Elections and Covid
“Over the last few years in Africa, we have witnessed disturbing attacks on artists from around the continent, accompanied by widespread and pernicious efforts to dampen the right to… More
Proposed Texas Law Would Force Publishers to Create ‘Age Appropriate’ Ratings for School Library Books
“This is a dangerous escalation in the movement to censor public education. In a very short time, those who advocate for school censorship have gone from trying to control… More
Florida Adopts Even More Punitive Provisions Against Teachers and Students To Implement New Controversial Education Laws
(NEW YORK)-- A new set of rules passed by the Florida Board of Education to implement controversial laws like the “Don’t Say Gay” and “Stop W.O.K.E” acts are “alarming”… More
Cancellation of Down In Mississippi Play on Texas Campus Is An Affront to Artistic Freedom
Jonathan Friedman, director of free expression and education programs, said: "The decision to cancel this production because of some students' objections is an alarming affront to artistic freedom. While students'… More
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Applications are open for another week and change for DREAMing Out Loud, @PENamerica's paid, tuition-free writing workshop for young undocumented and immigrant writers in NYC. @CUNY-affiliated folks encouraged; all are welcome. https://twitter.com/jjackso92/status/1617633219675066368
Struck by Imani Perry’s insight on the importance of deep listening to achieve meaningful conversation. A gift to us all. https://twitter.com/penamerica/status/1621343372433670144
Proud to support this year's Literary Activism Summit w/ @PENamerica @SchomburgCenter, that highlights the past, present, and future of Literary Activism in NYC! #BHM
Join us on Feb. 25: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/literary-activism-summit-tickets-511854188657 #BlackHistoryMonth