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Effects of censorship
Effects of censorship
Rap music and its influence on teens
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Many issues have come up regarding what rights and actions are protected under the First Amendment. Rap music should not be restricted on the television despite much controversy over the idea. Bok says that some acts cause debates, although people may disagree with it doesn't mean it should be taken away. There should be no restrictions held against playing of rap music. Music that we listen to constructs the sound track of our lives. The number one killer in creative speech is censorship. Censorship in music is a topic that has brought about much controversy in the past two decades. "Preventing or punishing speech?is a clear violation of the First Amendment." (Censorship. Opposing Viewpoints by, Greehaven Press page ). Congress shall make no law? abridging the freedom of speech or of the press". Swearing in music has become a more common thing to hear in today?s music. Many teens would rather listen to explicit songs than to the non-explicit ones. Based on a poll on the internet, which asked, ?Do you listen to music with swearing in it?? 70% of the voters chose yes to listening to music with swearing in it (PollGenuis.com). In a song by Marilyn Manson, called Rock and Roll Nigger, the lyrics are as follows ?"I'm a rock and roll nigger, this is your world in which we grow, we will grow to hate you. Jimmy Hendrix was a nigger, Jesus Christ and grandma too. Brian Warner what a nigger, nigger, nigger fuck you, fuck you." ?Many people have debated over what has been said in the song, but not yet have I seen politicians or congressmen threatened to censor it says Zhar?. Bok states that ?Although people may disagree with it doesn?t mean it should be taken away? ?Women are major consumers of rap music. If a... ... middle of paper ... ...r city kids called Camp Mariah? (Zhar). ?Everyone concerned with these issues must find ways to engage actively in actions that resist and counter the racist ideas that we would have the First Amendment protect? (Lawrence). However there will always be people who speculate on what should and should not be allowed (Brownmiller). Each person has a right to their opinion, but it doesn?t mean they need to voice it. Although in some instances rap can be made to seem bad, censoring it or banning it would still be a violation of the First Amendment (Kilbourne). Although this topic is very debatable each person has a right to express themselves in any way. People can have a right to not like rap music on the television, it doesn?t give them a right to say it should not be allowed. For we are a free democratic nation, each person is entitled to the full power of it.
...or what it is - entertainment, and not be taken so seriously as people try to make it. Music, be it rap, alternative, country, or bubble gum pop, is merely another form of expression. If you don't like what you hear, don't want your children exposed to it, or are offended by it, just turn it off. Thousands of people have attended concerts by the most hated artists in America. Millions watch Marilyn Manson prance about in music videos. Yet, the general majority of the population is not inspired to murder innocent people. Teens that are depressed, troubled, or rejected and taunted by their peers need to get help before they let their warped sense of fantasy and reality mix too far. Don't deprive more mature listeners all because it's something that frightens you. Music may be a huge influence, but it cannot be blamed for all of society's problems.
Censorship in music is a very controversial subject in today’s society. What is considered a form of artistic expression to some is also considered vulgar and inappropriate to others. But who ultimately gets to decide what is considered vulgar and what is not? Who decides who hears what in the music industry? The RIAA is responsible for applying the Parental Advisory stamp on every album that is released in the United States. The FCC is responsible for making sure that no vulgarities or controversial comments are aired on radio or television. But why is some content edited and other content not? I will try and explain these questions in our article.
The United States of America seems to be protected by a very important historical document called the Constitution. Despite the fact that it was written and signed many years ago, the American people and their leaders still have faith in the Constitution. One of the major statements of the Constitution is the First Amendment, freedom of speech. Although it is difficult to decide what is offensive and what is not, it is clear to see that songs of rape, violence, bigotry, and songs containing four letter words are completely unnecessary for susceptible minds to acknowledge. It is reasonable to say that more people listen to music everyday and for that reason, music tends to be more influential. The American people should consider the idea of censorship of music lyrics that influence violence. We as Americans, have the voice to make artists think about the harm that their lyrics can cause their listeners and possibly change their damaging style. I think it would benefit the American people to research the effects of music lyrics on people, debate the findings of the research, and discuss the consequences and possible solutions for the problem. Those who see no problem with the explicit and vulgar lyrics of today's music use The United States Constitution to back up their rights. This very Constitution was adopted by a convention of the States on September 17, 1787 (12) and has been a ruling thumb in the actions of the United States Government. The current date is April 21, 1999—that's 212 years later! This is where the very popular freedom of speech amendment comes into play. This Amendment states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exe...
Music is in sad state of affairs today. No matter where you look someone is offending someone else and no one attacks the issue at hand. It is always taken one step up and nothing is ever resolved. In closing this paper I would just like to say that just because it is there and it is obscene it doesn't mean you have to listen to it. You may not like it but to someone else it may be genius. In the words of John Lennon, "LET IT BE."
Censorship is a burden that will forever hang on the coat tails of every great musical artist. The question of censorship will remain much the same as it has all through the centuries, unanswered. An opinion on censorship will always be up for grabs to anyone willing to take a stand. It is important to take a stand, and save music from losing its meaning or respect it deserves through censorship.
Many people feel there is a great need for music censorship. People feel that music containing explicit lyrics have a negative impact on the youth. Jim Walsh of the Knight-Ridder wrote and article about how he feels about censorship on music. He insists that most modern day that music teenagers listen to should be banned. Music controls peoples moods, and music with explicit lyrics can cause teenagers to commit violent crimes. Walsh continues to blame music for all the problems that teenagers have, including committing suicide and doing drugs. Most parents agree with Walsh’s ideals towards modern day music. Parents have even gone to the extreme to get parental advisory labels placed on music with explicit lyrics. Children under the age of eighteen are not suppose to be able to purchase music with parental advisory label on them without a adult. I feel that the parental advisory sticker on record is a good idea, because it way for parents to know type of ...
Rap Music Since the late 1980's rap music has been called the Anti Christ in our culture, because of it's so-called influence in people's life. People swear up and down that the music is why people, specially the youth resort to violent crimes. I think by saying this they are trying to cover up the real truth by giving simple answers. Rap is defined as a style of popular music consisting of improvised rhymes performed to a rhythmic accompaniment. The first rap song was made in the late 70's, the songs were seven to eight minutes long and was mostly used in small clubs to dance to. It didn't really become popular until the early 80's. Over the years it has become mainstream music, everyone is listening to it. In the last four years rap made up 60% of music bought in stores in the United States. In 1989 a local group called N.W.A.(Niggaz Wit Attitudes) came from out of L.A. and changed rap, which was the start of Gangsta Rap. In their lyrics they talked about crime, street violence and killing. Once they were a huge hit, it caught on, and really that's when all this madness started. Everyone started rapping Gangsta style. More and more people started rapping about police brutality and killing people and with that crime rose to high levels. In my opinion it's not the artists or the record company's fault that crime rose. It's not their responsibility to look after every person who listens to their music. In all these years of rap though there are three people who took the most criticism from the public. Dr. Dre was one, after N.W.A. broke up he went on to do his own thing, and after he released "The Chronic" he became a star.
Hip-hop and rap music are commonly criticized for its anti-feminist lyrics and degrading exploitation of women in music and music videos. (Sharpley-Whiting ) Many feminists have taken action against the music industry, which produces these messages in the music they release. However, in the hip-hop genre there are plenty of successful female rappers promoting feminist views, artist such as Queen Latifah and Mary J. Blige have made the choice to condemn the derogatory culture towards women. (Oliver, 382–384)
It is surprising that music can have such an impact on American society today. The truth is that rap and hip-hop music not only affects teenagers and children that commit violence, but also affects those victims who suffer from the violent acts, Violence and Misogyny is a very serious problem that Americans face today and in order to create peace in our city streets, we must set guidelines to what our children should or should not hear.
Music has always been a basic form of expression. From Antonin Dvorak, to Eminem, to even ancient, tribal music, it has been a medium through which individuals convey their thoughts and expressions. Today this medium is under attack. Everywhere we turn, everything we do and say is being scrutinized. We are being told what to say. We are being spoon-fed our emotions. No longer are we allowed to think freely, openly. All the censors out there are on the prowl for another piece to rip to shreds because it doesn't fit their description of what is decent and moral. What they fail to realize is that we don't make the music for them... We do it for release.
Women have consistently been perceived as second-class citizens. Even now, in times when a social conscience is present in most individuals, in an era where an atmosphere of gender equality 'supposedly' exists, it is blatantly apparent that the objectification and marginalization of women is still a major social issue. In reality, progression in terms of reducing female exploitation has been stagnant at best. Not only is the degradation of women a major problem that to date has not been eradicated, but it is actually being endorsed by some music celebrities. There are a growing number of people who purchase rap albums that support the fallacy that women are mere objects and should be treated as such. As the popularity of rap continues to climb at unprecedented rates, so too does its influence on the perception of women. In the vast majority of hip-hop songs, the depiction of women as sexual objects, the extreme violence directed towards them and the overall negative influence these lyrics have on the average adolescent's perception of women make rap the absolute epitome of female exploitation.
Dixon, Travis L., TaKeshia Brooks. “Rap Music and Rap Audiences: Controversial Themes, Psychological Effects and Political Resistance.” Perspectives. 7 April 2009. .
With music becoming more vulgar and profane, it is getting harder and harder for people to lis...
Well known musicians have an extreme potential to make an impact on people, some for the better and some for the worse. We turn our music on when we are in the car and zone out while we are driving, in the shower just so we have something enjoyable to jam out to, or just to relieve some stress and pass time. Depending on the genre of the preferred music it can have different impacts. A high percentage of people don't appreciate rap music and its contents because a great amount of its subject is based upon getting “bitches and money”. Or selling “drugs to hoes," thus making it offensive, unenjoyable and fairly disgusting to many. Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, also known as Logic chooses to rap about topics that make a genuine, eye opening impact
Censorship has been around in one way or the other in America. Certain forms of music, poetry, and dance were banned by Spartan rulers during ancient Greek times (Newman, 2000). These sorts of actions towards material seen as objectionable have repeated themselves throughout history. Since the 1950’s, and continuing today, music listeners across the country have protested some of music’s content and/or lyrics.