“Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the universe.”
– Albert Einstein
A few days ago, the University of Milano-Bicocca decided to suspend the course that the writer Paolo Nori was going to give on the Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky. The author himself explained that censoring a literature class is ridiculous.
This is not just ridiculous, it’s absurd. There is no pretext on earth that can justify banning one of the greatest authors in classic literature.
“Much unhappiness has come into the world because of bewilderment and things left unsaid.”
– Fyodor Dostoevsky
In times of war, banning culture is the worst thing one can do. A 19th century classic author has absolutely nothing to do with the current circumstances. On the contrary, Dostoevsky’s fiction and wise words resonate louder than ever.
“Whoever has experienced the power and the unrestrained ability to humiliate another human being automatically loses his own sensations. Tyranny is a habit, it has its own organic life, it develops finally into a disease. The habit can kill and coarsen the very best man or woman to the level of a beast. Blood and power intoxicate and the return of human dignity, repentance and regeneration become almost impossible.“
– Fyodor Dostoevsky
Culture is never the enemy. If we erase history, culture, and art, we risk being disconnected from the very essence of human existence. As humans, we are supposed to create, not destroy.
Humanity never learns from history. Hatred is unnecessary. In fact, not only is it unnecessary, but it’s also a burden. As Martin Luther King said, hate is too great a burden to bear.
After a huge backlash on social media, the Italian university decided to backtrack on the decision to ban Dostoevsky.
Students deserve to discover one of the most precious gems of world literature. We don’t need any more burdens. The world we live in is far from being a perfect place anyway. Let’s not remove culture, one of the few things that make it bearable.
Art of Saudade 