Gayatri Spivak Speaks During UN Protest

October 22, 2018 – Topics of Interest

“What is really important for the state is that if one silences the creative artists and intellectuals, then the conscience of the state is killed, because it’s the role of the creative artists and intellectuals to make constructive criticism so that the state can be a real democracy.”

Spivak spoke out during a protest outside the UN General Assembly to demand the release of Bangladeshi photographer Shahidul Alam and make a public call for freedom of the press and protection of journalists in Bangladesh.  Alam was arrested on August 5 for “inciting violence by making provocative statements in the media” and has been held without bail since that time.