Censorship. As a writer, I have strong opinions about it in any form. We as individuals have a choice to read or ignore what is presented to us. News outlets that prevent individuals from seeing something that is topical or controversial are a danger and threat to our country.

This weekend, the Washington Post along with 25 other newspapers became a danger and a threat to our country.

What story could be so controversial that the Washington Post; a bastion of news and opinion would refuse to publish it? Alas, it was not a story that tarnished the Post’s reputation, rather the weekly comic strip Opus.

In the strip, the spiritual fad-seeking character Lola Granola appears in a headscarf, proclaiming she wants to become a radical Islamist to her boyfriend Steve. While the Post refused to say exactly why they refused to run the strip, the Islamic references and sexual innuendo are suspect.

Read the entire comic strip here.

The Post may use either excuse to justify their decision, but censorship should never be justified. Comics that deal with religious issues are commonplace. Until recently, the comic B.C. was a mainstay in most newspapers. B.C. would often propagate Christian ideals and beliefs. While I enjoyed the comic, the daily strip offended a number of atheist friends. Most good comics will be occasionally controversial; unless it is so dull no one wants to read it.

The sexual innuendo is another copout, as it is just that – innuendo. Children are confronted by worse daily on television, billboards, and even these same newspapers. Cartoons and children’s programming show violence and sexual situations, and these are targeted towards the young.

When the Washington Post had a chance to stand up to censorship, they failed miserably. While it might only be a comic strip, who is to say this is not only the beginning. Censorship has to start somewhere, and for the Post it started way too easily.