In September of 1999, the Brooklyn museum of art displayed an exhibit called "Sensations", in which a depiction of a half naked Virgin Mary was covered in elephant feces. In October, 1999 Mayor Rudolph Giuliani said that the BMA should have its funding pulled and should not be sponsored by the City of New York. The First Amendment states that we have the right to freely express ourselves as long as we are not interfering with another's rights. Censorship has hindered our cultural development as humans throughout history, but it has also set standards and outlined moral conservation.
             One of the most important rules in allowing freedom of expression is to warn the audience that there might be some vulgar or inappropriate content in your work without lessening the impact of the piece. On album covers there is a black and white sticker stating "parental advisory, explicit lyrics." Before television programs there is a warning that "this program is for mature audiences only." The people of New York, not just Catholics were outraged that the BMA would allow such filth to go on; and yet thousands of them lined up to pay $5.00 each to see it. " I believe that the line cannot be drawn because one person's threshold for obscenity is always going to be different from another's. I live in a free society where I am free to go or NOT go to see this piece of crap. God bless this guy who calls himself an artist." (Bill Leverty). Chris Olifi, the creator of the controversial piece was forced to make it clear to his audience exactly what they were going to see. There!
             were no nuns that fainted in shock because they expected to see a traditional piece, and instead saw the Virgin Mother covered in *censored*. Chris Olifi and the BMA followed the traditional rules of censorship. As long as these rules are followed no one will suffer or have their rights obstructed.
             I find censorship insulting, as well as demeaning to the artist
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