Commentary concerning the rezoning of NYC (4 boros) sex related stores and strip-clubs out of residential areas, and maybe out of existence
The City of New York is well on its way to becoming the least fun place on Earth.
By Stephen B.
When Disney decided to buy most of Times Square and then the first K-Marts opened in Manhattan I was alarmed enough to go looking to see if there were four pale guys on horseback riding down Broadway. Visions of the apocalypse.
The zoning crisis that the adult entertainment industry is now facing is a good example of how politicians will take the moral high ground in order to increase their chances of being re-elected or gain support for their aspirations for higher office or (unlimited, unchecked power or ego-trip! The Editor) while at the same time not actually accomplishing much anything productive for the city. It also draws the public's attention from more important issues such as housing, education and crime.
Everyone has the right to make a living doing whatever they want to do, as long as they are doing so within the law. The state does not have the right to limit who can or cannot be employed because they don't morally approve of the method in which someone supports oneself. The state neither has the right to dictate what you are allowed to read or how you choose to entertain yourself unless you are breaking the law by doing so.
If people allow one aspect of their personal freedom to be regulated or controlled what precedent does that set for the future?
Freedom of speech is something that applies to everyone. The State is trying to place controls on one industry because some people in the community find it offensive: that is unlawful. Anyone who has ever wandered through the Times Square area has probably seen the Black Israelites preaching on the street. I may find them offensive and I sure as hell don't agree with the message they are trying to promote any more than I agree with the aims of the KKK or the American Nazi Party. Free speech however protects the right of these groups to express themselves freely. As much as I despise nazis and other hate groups, I acknowledge their right to free speech. In theory if the American Nazi Party wanted to distribute their literature on the streets of Manhattan they would have a legal right to do so, but god forbid you should open a bookstore, video store or topless bar. You'll end up being shut down because people in the surrounding community find your establishment offensive. The thing I want to know is how would the re-zoning affect mainstream stores like Borders Books , B-Dalton, etc.... that carry magazines such as Penthouse or Playboy. Would they have to remove these publications from their shelves? Would newsstands that exhibit adult magazines be effected as well?
I am a freelance press photographer and I am a first generation born American. Both of my parents came from countries where the freedoms we are accustomed to have here were almost non-existent. My father grew up in Hungary, that was first German occupied and then communist occupied after the end of the Second World War. He took part in the 1956 revolt and as a result had to leave his native country. My mother immigrated from El Salvador in the early 1960's. This was before serious problems started there but I would hear stories from relatives about how no one could speak out against the government without fearing for their lives, about people who were killed by death squads because they dared to oppose the status quo. I never take the freedoms I have for granted. My parents who know what it feels like to live under oppression taught me not to
The people who are pushing for these restrictions have no problem doing so until something further down the line infringes on their personal rights. This industry is a popular target for such crusades. The people who make their living from it are looked down upon by those who hold the moral high ground in "normal" society. The unpopular makes an easy target. But if they succeed: a lot of people are going to be unemployed, virtually overnight.
The reasons given for the re-zoning is that shutting down adult oriented businesses will increase the "quality of life" in the neighborhoods where these establishments currently are. But for crying outloud! there have been no hard facts or statistics presented to indicate that these establishments have a direct detrimental effect on their surroundings.
If the mayor wants to improve the "quality of life" in New York he should address some of the real problems facing the city. It would be nice to see the same enthusiasm to be applied toward fixing NYC's public schools.
Guys! send your favorite posts/opinions/reviews to Sophie. I'll post them in this column. email them to sophie@mentertainment.com
# of