Censorship & Music Lyrics
Is it really necessary?
Introduction
Censorship, a large topic and two very strong view points. The first controversy over song lyrics was in the 1920's and there is still a lot of argument about it today. The first amendment states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." (The Bill of Rights). This addresses freedom of speech and expression. Everyone has the right to sing about what they believe.
Claim
The government should not censor music lyrics. It is unconstitutional and completely unfair to the artist and listeners. Censorship is completely unnecessary and only protects you from reality. Many things today are censored and you may not even notice it. Things like music and television. You even censor yourself.
Reasoning
As I said, a lot of stuff we see or hear today is censored. Even the stuff we say is censored. This is called self-censorship. When we choose not to say what is on our minds because we are afraid of other people's reactions. Society has taught us what is okay and what isn't okay to say in public. However this isn't always a bad thing. There is a difference between self-censorship and being flat out rude and people need to learn where that line is. Self-censorship holds back the creativity of the artist and many times they don't know it's happening.
Consession
It is understood that most parents don't want their children listening to songs that are considered a "bad influence" or "inappropriate."
Consession
Many parent's don't want to or don't have the time to monitor their child's internet use.
Rebuttal
There is a line between the artist's and the parent's responsibility. The parent or parents of the child should be monitoring their children's internet use and what they are listening to. If they are that worried about what their kids are seeing and or hearing online then the parents should be making sure what they see is "age appropriate" and address what isn't with the child. Musicians have a target audience. If the creator of a song is talking about "bad things" or swearing then their target audience is obviously not children.
This Video Is An Example of What Censorship May Turn Into In America And What It's Based On
Censorship in not only a problem in today's music.
The Watson Report: The Real Agenda Behind Cybersecurity
What You Can Do
To stop musical censorship you can join a protest group, become more politically active, and much more. There are many different ways of voicing your opinion and creating change. Remember, You are society and if you think that society needs a change, start with yourself. People will follow. People will agree with you. Soon after it starts, you will have created a huge change across our nation. Help protect freedom of expression.
Work Cited
"Censoring Music Lyrics." Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection. Detroit:
Gale, 2012. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 25 Feb. 2014.
"Censorship." Current Issues: Macmillan Social Science Library. Detroit:
Gale, 2010. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 25 Feb. 2014.
Cooke, Dominic. "The Arts Should Not Be Censored." Censorship. Ed. Byron L.
Stay. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1997. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "An Insidious Form of Censorship." Spectator (11 Oct. 2008): 49. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 26 Feb. 2014.
"Freedom of Expression Campaign." Freedom House. Forum One
Communications, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2014.
"Headlines." Home. Federal Communications Commison, n.d. Web. 23 Feb.
2014.