(Jewish Group) A canceled JCC book talk shows Jews are entering a dangerous era of self-censorship

Last month, a Florida JCC canceled a book talk by author Rachel Beanland because her novel The House is On Fire, is set amid slavery and deals with themes of racial justice.

After Beanland posted a copy of the emails disinviting her from the venue, the Mandel JCC in Boynton Beach and Palm Beach Gardens reversed course, firing the employee they said was responsible for the decision, and issuing an apology and a renewed invitation for Beanland. She declined.

Given the profound challenges to free speech in schools, libraries and universities across the country, it would be easy to dismiss the brouhaha at a local JCC as a minor skirmish in a larger fight.

But this incident is a glaring example of one of the most insidious aspects of recent legislation aimed at barring certain ideas and discussions from public venues: the ways in which institutions and individuals across society are being pressed into service as censors, feeling forced to work the will of heavy-handed government bodies bent on suppressing speech and ideas.

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