Writers Will Never Be Silenced

"People living under a dictatorship are often said to be condemned to a lifetime of enthusiasm." This quote from Eugene Lyons’ 1937 article raises an important question: who maintains this enthusiasm? The answer lies with writers. Throughout history, rulers have rarely succeeded in silencing social advocates, orators, and even court jesters. Notably, jesters in various countries, including France, England, China, and India, have historically enjoyed the unique freedom to speak the truth without fear of reprisal. Unfortunately, many writers have not been so fortunate.

Consider Russia and Germany in 1937. To control the population, these countries implemented strict measures to stifle the flow of ideas, labeling dissenting opinions as “fake news.” The parallels between that era and today are striking, and those who fail to learn from history are often doomed to repeat it. As a public service, let's examine how such restrictions came about to help prevent their recurrence.

In Lyons’ article, he states, “Censorship of the word is more rigid in Russia than anywhere else in the world, with Germany as a close runner-up. Every book, even before it is considered by a government publishing organization, must be read and approved by Glavlit, the literary censorship office. The same applies to every play. Magazines and newspapers face numerous political checks designed to root out potential heresy, with specific staff members tasked with identifying and eliminating anything even slightly politically off-color.”

While this external censorship from the state was damaging enough, the psychological impact was even more insidious. Such controls often led to self-censorship—something every writer knows well, as we can be our own harshest critics. But what of those writers who aligned themselves with the state’s propaganda?

Lyons explains, “Censorship does not impact writers whose views coincide with those of the censors. Certain Russian writers I know have argued that the pressure is so light they hardly notice it. However, these individuals were, without exception, ardent supporters of the party line, for whom adherence to the official narrative was second nature. The true measure of a country’s freedom of press and conscience must be assessed by those who resist conformity rather than by the fervent supporters of the regime.”

Writers in Russia who conformed to the party line were well compensated, receiving royalties of around 10,000 to 15,000 rubles per month from state-sponsored propaganda, while the average Russian citizen earned a mere 200 rubles monthly. However, not all writers chose to sell out. Many dedicated authors found that telling the truth was far easier than keeping track of countless lies that would collapse when even a single thread was pulled. In 1937 Russia, those who opposed the state became dissidents and were often imprisoned or brutalized for revealing a truth that the government labeled as false. The irony of this situation is striking.

The history of writer persecution under this regime bears an eerie resemblance to current events. A quote from Lyons' article was so pertinent to today's environment that I had to double-check its authenticity.

Consider this excerpt, penned in 1937: “For reasons of international diplomacy, Russia, eager to be accepted among democratic nations like France and England, is attempting to create the impression that it has embraced democracy. How a one-party system, in which any political thought deviating from the prescribed 'Party line' is punished as treachery, can be deemed democratic is a mystery.”

This statement could very well be from today’s discussions about Russia under President Putin. Russia has sought to expand its influence by attempting to control the narratives of writers on social media. The principle remains unchanged from 1937; only the methods of enforcement have evolved.

History enables us to understand our present, providing valuable insights with perfect hindsight. As we reflect on these lessons, let us remember that no lasting good comes from willingly drinking the proverbial Kool-Aid. Writers of the world, unite!