Censorship

Censorship of all kinds has existed since recorded history, whether in literature, speech, music, or visual entertainments. Censorship stems from fear of ideas spreading that are contrary to what has been established as "correct", "moral", "normal", or "suitable"; essentially, censorship stems from a fear of change. For change to progress, or to even exist at all, "the norm" needs to be challenged, and those most capable of grasping and embracing change are the young people of a society. Young adults (of this century and the 20th century especially) use music to express themselves, distinguish themselves from their parents, and convey new ideas. Music can aid in new movements, a new "norm", provide a voice to those who feel they cannot be heard otherwise, and give identity to those who feel they have none. Music can change things, it scares people, but it should not receive censorship because of the change it can create.

Starting in the early 20th century, the new form of music called "jazz" was quickly picked up by the young people of the time, and was also quickly stricken with censorship, because of the style itself, and what it carried in terms of social attachment. "Jazz was different because it broke the rules -- musical and social. It featured improvisation over traditional structure, performer over composer, and black American experience over conventional white sensibilities."(pbs.org "The Devil's Music: 20s Jazz".) The fact that jazz, being associated with the primarily African American artists of the genre, faced an additional form of censorship: racial discrimination. Jazz was quickly labeled "The Devil's Music", and was rejected by numerous venues, radio stations, and parents who believed that jaz...

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...le use to express themselves. To censor music means that young people's ideas and expression will be stifled, which stifles revolutions and individuality, which is what those in power want (to keep order and whatnot). Censorship of media can only be stopped when tolerance is fully reached, and that will be impossible for quite some time. One possible solution to the censorship and stifling of musical artists could only be: more efficient ways one giving the buyer a warning in what a certain album may contain, as with the parental advisory symbol. A nation-wide law against discrimination towards albums with a warning label would need to be put in place, otherwise the cycle of less-censorship-but-less-sales would continue. When efficient warnings for buyers/parents and anti-discrimination laws are in place, then censorship can nearly fully end towards musicians.