They have things that say, Only 18 year olds may enter here, and television programs have messages that say, The following is too graphic and may not be suitable for children. But with the children s festival, there was no warning, and I think that is what parents were complaining about. Several students also removed their own artwork from the library to protest Rao s decision of banning Thompson s work. One of those students was Jill Fields. I think the university should be a place of higher learning, where students are encouraged to expand their minds, Fields said.
Freedom of expression is essential to that.
Valerie Thompson had a right to make her statement, and the others had a right to agree or disagree. It s their choice to look at it or not, but by pulling the piece, that right was taken away. Kathleen Desmond, an art professor, said the art department wrote a letter to Rao. All the faculty members signed it in protest to the censorship of art, she said. Desmond also said she thinks it is important for people to look at controversial issues.