Why <i> PC</i> Spells Political Controversy : CALL IT SENSITIVITY

The minority and dissenting voices attempting to be heard have themselves long been censored through Hollywood’s normal order of business. What we should be asking is whether filmmakers (and other artists) have social responsibilities and, if so, how ought artists to be responsible to the communities affected by their work.

“When art becomes frightened of offending, it becomes institutionalized and bourgeois,” says writer David Freeman as quoted by Pristin. I agree with Freeman--polite art should not be our goal. Yet if one’s art offends the very groups we seek to support in our work, should we not at least give those groups a good listen?

I question the equation of sensitivity with blandness. A so-called sensitive film that fails to move or challenge its audience is not socially responsible. The challenge for filmmakers who care about diverse communities is to treat their topics with consideration and with courage.

HOWARD RYAN

Westchester

Times staff writer Terry Pristin’s article on political correctness in Hollywood, “The Filmmakers vs. the Crusaders” (Dec. 29), has struck a nerve with readers. A sampling of their views.