“It convinces us to censor ourselves, to obey in advance, to down the Kool-Aid before it’s been offered. I’m still afraid. But I’ve just accepted a prize that is not about obedience. It’s not about feel-good narratives, it’s not about marketing, it’s not even about creativity – Stella is about changing the world”. It’s been less than a week since writer, Michelle de Kretser’s gave a spine chilling address as the winner of the Stella Prize, in a speech that has gone viral. In a prolific climate of punishment and censorship of creatives & writers, de Krester’s words represent a brave positioning within a sector that has turned predatorial: “We have two weapons that the powerful dread: words and the truth. That’s why truthful speech is being closed down, and why it’s essential to resist silence.” In this episode of Colour Outside the Lines, Leah Vandenberg and Tasneem Chopra examine the role of creatives and artists, broadly, who have used their platform to promote social justice causes aligned to their beliefs. A comparison is drawn between artists and activism in the past - of those lauded for their bravery, compared to a recent backlash & cancelling of many today who have dared to do the same. What is it that compels creative to risk their craft for the greater good? How has this bravery impacted the current arts landscape in Australia and overseas? What have Leah and Tasneem’s experiences been? Join COTL for a timely conversation on the ‘Cost of Free Speech’

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