Censorship, Human Rights and Compassion Take Center Stage at Variety’s Power of Women New York: ‘Our Lives Are at Stake’
variety.comJennifer Maas TV Business Writer Pearls of wisdom and displays of affection were shared widely on Tuesday afternoon when honorees Judy Blume, Natasha Lyonne, Rosie Perez, Kelly Ripa and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez took the stage at Variety‘s Power of Women New York luncheon, presented by Lifetime, at midtown restaurant The Grill.
While all five women touched on the key lessons they’ve learned in life and the importance of those who teach them during the luncheon, hosted by “Saturday Night Live’s” Ego Nwodim, it was iconic YA author Blume who made much of her speech a tribute to public educators and librarians who are trying to protect students’ rights amid increased government scrutiny and censorship in public education. “Teachers are under fire, librarians are threatened,” said Blume, who was supporting the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) and spoke after an intro from Seth Meyers, host of NBC’s “Late Night.” Meyers noted that Blume’s books have been called “dangerous, offensive and corrupt,” to the dismay of the crowd.
Blume told the audience that the current environment reminds her of the mood in the early 1980s, after Ronald Reagan was elected president. “The desire to censor has a lot to do with fear,” Blume said.
The threats to art and artists are significant but the danger is also spreading to public servants, she observed. “They are criminalizing teachers and librarians.
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