Freedom of Expression and Rap Music

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...

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...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.