censorship
Some think im nutz about trying to defend this man since i dont know all the evedence in this case. In a ways thats a very good and true point. I just wish i knew what the books were so i can make up my own conclusions.
But wiether you like this person or hate this person..to me what is truly the most important thing is our First Amendment rights as manga and anime fans is on the line!
The arcticle just pointed it out..the first time the CBLDF is defending someone who owns manga , not someone who selles the material..or is the artist of the work.
I'm an artist myself and over the years ive was close minded on many thing but thanks to some artist friends over the years it helped me ease some fears and try to expand my options..now im afraid i may have to limit down what i enjoy drawing again.
My fan work is nothing like what this person is being put on trail for..but what if tommrow something you enjoy drawing suddently becomes illegal in the US goverments eyes? Its not impossable it can happen.
So far the person in this case the person has 1/2 won it..but now comes the true test....a jury. A jury who may not have any knowledge of anime/manga. Who may already have there own conclusion before this trail. And must rely on the "miller law":
Miller test for obscenity:
"(a) whether the average person, applying contemporary community standards would find that the work, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest;
(b) whether the work depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct specifically defined by the applicable state law;
and (c) whether the work, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value." The jury must answer all three questions in the affirmative in order to convict.
Now if your a fan of anime and manga doenst matter if its adult kind or just regular kind..or you enjoy drawing it ask yourselves these in honesty...
1.Do you know that anime/manga and the chacracters in them are fake?
2. Are you confident about your art's chances of not being declared bad in the publics eyes?
3. And if they are declared bad in the public's eyes...would you be next to go to jail?
In my point of view there are things that do indeed cross the line that should be punished. But thats an opinion.
This however is the law. Etched in stone. You know judge dread like law. No opinions..doesnt matter if your right or wrong. Thats the bottom line.
This is a very serious situation and i truly hope that as a manga/anime fan no matter what kind it is that you enjoy. I hope you will either get the word out about this story..or support this fund for what its for. Not for this case in general..but for what the CBLDF stand for. Defending your right as a manga/anime fan.
Because you never know one day it could be your non adult anime and manga that could be targeted next. And if you dont belive me i strongly urge you keep these in mind with the publics eye:
http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA407833.html
http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA407833.html
All it takes is just a little public fear to drive something out of purpotion. Thank you for reading.
