(text via lettersofnote; image via namelesshere)

"In my work, as a writer, I only photograph, in words, what I see. If I write of "sadism" it is because it exists, I didn't invent it, and if some terrible act occurs in my work it is because such things happen in our lives. I am not on the side of evil, if such a thing as evil abounds. In my writing I do not always agree with what occurs, nor do I linger in the mud for the sheer sake of it. Also, it is curious that the people who rail against my work seem to overlook the sections of it which entail joy and love and hope, and there are such sections. My days, my years, my life has seen up and downs, lights and darknesses. If I wrote only and continually of the "light" and never mentioned the other, then as an artist I would be a liar.

Censorship is the tool of those who have the need to hide actualities from themselves and from others. Their fear is only their inability to face what is real, and I can't vent any anger against them. I only feel this appalling sadness. Somewhere, in their upbringing, they were shielded against the total facts of our existence. They were only taught to look one way when many ways exist."

CHARLES BUKOWSKI

Update on 2012-05-25 17:33 by Lawrence

I first discovered Letters of Note after I received a trackback when an image I posted was used to illustrate Bill Hicks on Freedom of Speech (a great letter, you should read it). I have been following the site ever since. It is run by Shaun Usher and is one of the most rewarding sites I have ever come across.

I recommend checking out his site and also following him @lettersofnote. I am a man obsessed with images; he is a man obsessed with words and there is a great subtext to his posts - the idea that writers should be free to say whatever the hell they want.