New York University students, professors and poets held a poetry reading in the school’s Bobst Library on Feb. 12. The reading was held in protest of the cancellation of “Poetry and the American Voice,” a poetry symposium sponsored by first lady Laura Bush. Bush canceled the event when she learned that invited poets would be reading anti-war poetry.

White House officials released a statement that read, “It came to the attention of the first lady’s office that some invited guests want to turn what is intended to be a literary event into a political forum. While Mrs. Bush understands the right of all Americans to express their political views, this event was designed to celebrate poetry.”

Poetry and other forms of artful expression often deal with political and social issues. Artists use their medium to express their support or opposition for the government and to help inform the public on issues. The music of Rage Against The Machine, Sleater-Kinney and Ani DiFranco accomplishes this, as does Oliver Stone’s Born on the Fourth of July, Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing and Michael Moore’s Bowling for Columbine.

Columbia students have a similar responsibility (as artists) to hold society in a critical view. Students must use the skills they learn in their classes to show society the issues and problems that are being overlooked. There are various concerns besides a potential war, such as poverty, homelessness, poor public education, rising college tuition, discrimination and racism to name a few.

Art must go beyond the simplistic, beyond merely being aesthetically pleasing. It must serve a deeper purpose. Artists have a responsibility to give voice to the overlooked and oppressed, to hold up a mirror to the world and point out the things people are blind to or choose not to see.

The founding fathers ensured freedom of speech and expression because they believed there could only be true democracy when citizens had the right to dissent. There is a reason why this basic right was guaranteed in the First Amendment.

Columbia students should be concerned that they pay such a large sum for their education (currently $6,957 per semester for full-time undergraduate students, not including additional fees), but their artwork is not welcome in the White House if it opposes the Bush administration or its practices. By canceling the symposium, the Bush administration created a greater issue by implying that they aren’t open to dissenting opinions.