Guiliani and Free Expression Essay#1
             To some, the image of the holy Virgin Mary juxtaposed with displays of excrements and pornography may seem sacreligious , blasphemous, and in the words of Mayor Rudy Guiliani, "sick" and "disgusting". He is allowed freedom of speech to voice his opinions about this piece of art. The question brought to the table is why can't Ofili, the creator, have his views expressed as he wishes? His vehicle of expression just happens to be art. Regardless, each person should have the right to express themself freely. Guiliani is wrong and unjust in his actions against the Brooklyn Museum, which exhibits this man's work, as well as against the artist's creative expression. I intend to show that Guiliani violated these rights.
             Art, as an entity, has always been hard to define. What some may consider art may be garbage to someone else. But no matter the content or color of the work in question, it is a personal expression of one's self. It can express something about the individual, a society, an issue, a controversy, or anything. In this case the artist chose to express his message with religion and sex intertwined, an offensive combination to some, specifically Guiliani.. Due to his outrage he threatened to freeze all funds to the museum that housed this exhibit. In response to this, Ofili's spokesperson responded by saying Guiliani is denying Ofili's basic right to free expression. I agree that Guiliani violated this right. He is imposing his personal ethics on the entire city of New York. Just because he is a man in a position of power should not allow him to force and threaten his views to everyone else. By misusing his authority and power, in addition to violating another man's expression, he !
             is being immoral. It also seems he is being affected due to the religious nature and tone of the art. In this case Catholicism is being "attacked". Yet to a Hindu who has never seen the image of the Virgin M...