America is expressed of diversity, freedom of speech, and personal value. Suddenly, music censorship became a social controversy through politics, society, and the internet. The USA became a benefactor for music censorship when Black music, such as hip-hop, pop, and others, arrived in the country. Music censorship targets inappropriate songs, so society shouldn’t go against music censorship, unless there’s a strong reason. A strong, predominant image is supposed to executed on minors, individuals, and families through the music radio by the DJ, who broadcasts music through the radio . Music censorship affects people, concerns the government, reigns longer through history, and causes a dystopian balance in the American-arts-exposed society. …show more content…
Violent music has a devastating impact on the public through the lyrics of a song.
For instance, “Revenge by Plain White T” might cause uncertainty to various targeted viewers, though this song isn’t inappropriate. Music is permissible in society, except for the rates, violence and sexism inside the lyrics of the melody of songs. Therefore, different groups such as QCSW (Quebec Council on the Status of Women) beg for limitation to such songs to the federal broadcast regulator. Violent music is consisted of two types, which is both inappropiate and dark. Recently, a group of scientists did a study on kids and shockingly, girls are mostly targeted by many songs because of their appearance. “It is deplorable that so little research has been done on a phenomenon that has taken on so much importance in such a short time,''....''Worse, it seems that no measures have been taken by broadcasters to limit stereotypes in their video programs,” researcher Mckenzie opinionated . Because of the horrible speech expressed by artists such as Pit Bull, censorship is needed to help minors and other targets of the lyrics. Violent videos should be censored by the federal broadcast regulator; The QCSW pleaded for an solution. Music had an effect on society through the “cultural wars” due to different types of …show more content…
songs. The people either protest, or take action toward censorship of any song reasonably, or unreasonably. Various groups check and publicize governmental censorship. The unknown author discusses his/her point of view of music censorship. According to Senator Brownback, a lot of people who deal with music censorship would just listen to the lyrics, however, many would consider censorship for the sake of children. “ And for good or bad, our music shapes the way in which many people around the world view the U.S.—American music is the most pervasive (and loudest) ambassador we have,”. Senator Brownback discusses his/her views on what the American society should do to deal with music censorship on the lyrics of violent songs. He/she believes that American society should speak up about music censorship, since these lyrics can impact different people in the country. Additionally, society targets music censorship for unreasonable and logical reasons . The American government attempts to keep the public in order through laws, acts, and speeches through social controversy.
In America's uneasy relation in music, the government attempted to silence trouble provoking in the middle-class, silencing voices , and maintaining a predominant image on the country. America used to be exposed with European classical music, until other styles of music arrived. Black cultural music, such jazz, blues, rag-time, rock’n’roll, and hip hop caused resistance in the European-style music, popular in United States. Music censorship started to affect acceptance of certain bands and singers in society. “In a 1985 opinion in the case Cinevision Corp. vs. City of Burbank, the court appeals for the 9th Circuit plainly stated: ‘music is the form of expression that is protected by the First Amendment,’”. Due to high popularity of the “black” music movement in America, “music wars” between various styles of music motivated people against music censorship in the whole of North America. Sometimes, songs are censored because of the violent meaning behind the lyrics, without the fillers and curse
words. Music is another form of art exposed in America, if anything censors music, many bands and groups of people will fend against the government and the concept of music censorship. People might believe that defending for music is minor in life, however music is a part of the first amendment since it’s a freedom of speech. Secondly, music is a part of civil liberties because it’s personal to many. Lastly, the concept of music is spread out on all of America. As a whole, siding with or against music censorship is a chafe on both sides. If minors listen to songs with inappropriate and dark meanings, then the songs have to be censored and boycotted from music shops. However, some artists might defend the title of their inappropriate songs because of popularity in society. “Defense of artistic rights is a multifarious example of the importance of protecting civil liberties—even on their periphery,”. Government authorities are obviously helping people, however minorities must consider the impact of music on society. Therefore, people must highly support music censorship on violent songs because of inappropriate meaning, including words, through messages in the lyrics. Even so, some might regard music censorship as hopeless. Overall, the future of music censorship is rough for both fans and artists abroad. The people, such as locals or citizens of America, are more likely take action toward censorship of any violent and inappropriate song. Covered with freedom of speech, kids, teenagers, and adults face censorship through different types of speech, such as literature, music, poetry and the radio. Music censorship impact the lyrics of various repulsive songs, even though the public protests. Through political controversy, musical censorship is the most exposed social issue throughout the United States of America. Music censorship affects people, however, people are likely listen to any type of music.
In dealing with all of the media of today and deciding what might be harmful to different age groups, many different strategies have been suggested to insure free speech while protecting the varying levels of maturity. One suggested remedy to the problem of exposure to young people has been the implementation of rating systems. Ratings are currently assigned to movies and television programs. The next step of this process would be to assign ratings to music. While the goal of a music rating system is understandable, there are many reasons why this policy should not be implemented. By taking a look at the Constitutional, financial, and parental involvement in rating policies, several good reasons not to support this mandate will emergeThe First Amendment in the Constitution of the United States clearly 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.” Abridgement is normally taken to mean shorten when applied to books or texts. However, according to the dictionary, abridgement also means to diminish the capacity or scope. This idea that no one can diminish anyone else’s ability to be heard is the very foundation of American society.
Society causes a lot of music censorship. Starting in the late fifties and early sixties members of society made efforts to censor R&B music(http://teenmusic.about.com/library/weekly/aa022301a.htm). They were concerned that the music endorsed wild living, promiscuous sex, and lewd dancing (http://teenmusic.about.com/library/weekly/aa022301a.htm). “During the late sixties and seventies, Jim Morrison’s dark and suggestive lyrics stirred up communities, and parents were appalled to see Elvis Presley’s hip-thrusting” (http://teenmusic.about.com/library/weekly/aa022301a.htm). Society censors music like this because they are afraid of it. They think it will alter the minds of their children and cause them to do things they would have never done if it were never suggested in a song’s lyrics. “Music mirrors the society that creates it” (http://teenmusic.about.com/library/weekly/aa022301a.htm). Some people believe this, while others believe that music causes problems in our society such as crime and drugs. “For every person who believes certain lyrics portray a frightening world, there is another person who finds them deep and powerful because that world is all too real” (http://teenmusic.about.com/library/weekly/aa022301a.htm).
Briefly, heavy metal is not the only genre of music that our society tries to censor. Yet these are just some minuscule ideas of how and who may and will try to censor your favorite types of music. What the musicians that create that music have to fight through and how our first amendment right protects them and us from being censored in this world of ours.
Racism, hate, sex, drugs, and profanity are among many things people encounter in everyday life whether they want to or not. The one thing that people do have control over is what kind of music they listen to and to take that right away from anyone would be more offensive than having the president of the United States of America get oral sex in the oval office, one of the most honored places in the country. People get more worked up over the things in life that mean nothing, than worrying about crucial issues. Our society can tolerate watching parents smack their children in *Wal-Mart more than they can stand to hear a curse word, or a sexual comment in a song. Music is an expression of the artist and should be treated as that. Censoring music is like telling Michelangelo he could not put the penis on “David”. The truth is that censoring music is an action that goes against the constitution of the United States of America and although some content may offend people, prohibition of freedom of expression violates the rights of more than those offended.
Music has been around for thousands of years. Music has progressed since that time and has slowly become what it is today. Though music has been around for such a long time, protest music just started to develop in the Vietnam Era, the year 1954. The war started the era of protest which, in turn, created a new form of music which incorporated a specific type of lyric that was a way of expressing protest through the song. Since music in this era was already a big thing, artists thought it would be a good idea to get their political viewpoints out there. They did it through something that affected everybody in that time and space. The artists view spread quickly through the country because of the catchy tune and the viewpoints that are listed. In the United States of America, it is a very common thing to conform to others in a group (Conformity…). Since conformity is such a common occurrence in a large group, all the artist has to do is find a couple of people in the group, group being an audience, who agree with the artist and the rest will unfold on its own. The artist will keep on performing while the word of him and his music will spread from person to person. Conformity will ultimately bring people together on the same viewpoint until eventually, there are thousands of people there with the artist to protest. These artists have grown over time along with the style of music that they bring along with them. Protest music still exists today and is one of the most effective forms of protest that we have.
Some Americans believe that censorship is a benefit to society. These people think that the government should decide what is appropriate or inappropriate for the people to see, and do away with the inappropriate music, articles, and novels. There have been alterations made to music lyrics to make them “acceptable” for the public to listen to. An example of this would be a song performed by Cole Porter entitled “I Get A Kick Out of You”, in which the lyrics “I get no kick from cocaine,” were change to “I get perfume from Spain” (A Brief…1950’s, 2). There have also been attempts to prevent the young from obtaining inappropriate material such as music. In 1992 the Washington State government passed a law that required all music storeowners to place an “Adults Only” label on music that was deemed “erotic” by a state judge. This law made it illegal to sell the labeled material to minors, people under the age of eighteen. Those persons who believe censorship is a good thing, try to ban certain books that they fell are “dangerous” to the youth of America. This act is done during the final week in September, also know...
...old their ground and allow self-expression. Instead of being forced to assimilate. “From rock to rap, country to hip-hop, the meaning behind the music has provoked both controversial songs to the voluntary labeling of lyrics; the actions against music have taken many forms.”(Patman) This is why censoring music is debatable.
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.
1952 The Weavers are blacklisted due to the leftist political beliefs and associations of several members.
The first amendment of the United States Constitution states, “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” (U.S. Constitution). In my opinion, the idea of censoring songs or music videos is a violation of the Freedom of speech to the artists and performers who are just trying to speak their mind. Censorship is the suppression of ideas, information, and expression those individuals, groups or the government find objectionable or dangerous. Arguably one of the most important ideas of this law is the concept of Freedom of speech. Freedom of speech is the ability to communicate beliefs or thoughts or values without fear of government intervention or censorship. In today’s society, artists and musicians produce music, sometimes controversial, with the intent to explain a story and make millions of dollars.
Not only do the customers suffer by having parental bans on their favorite music, but the musicians suffer as well. The musicians are betrayed by their own labels, which are there to support them, not harm them. The world of music is basically a collage of the artist's thoughts, so banning what they write is a violation of their freedom of speech (Crowley, 1). One of those artists, a three time Grammy winner Sheryl Crow released her self-titled album to her many awaiting fans in 1996. When her fans went to their local Wal-Mart to obtain a copy of her album, they were denied the purchase of the album because of the contents in the lyrics (Family-Friendly, 76). Wal-Mart said the lyrics were offensive and argued that Crow, and her record label change the offensive lyrics (Family-Friendly, 76). When Crow and her label refused to change the lyrics; Wal-Mart and many other large-retail stores refused to sell her album. (Family-Friendly, 76). Not only has censorship affected Crow, but also other artists who refuse to change their lyrics because ultimately it affects their financial
Music is not being censored for no reason. When you're listening to music on the radio there's holes in the songs its due to profanity and drug references. When a song is popular it drills itself in the the minds of the adolescent. When a teen hears Tupac and pick up a gun after being desensitized to violence or listening to Wiz Khalifa they start smoking or drinking and doing drugs which ruins so many lives .Many artists are looked down for publicly using drugs such as Wiz khalifa or Eminem. As well as many other artists promote violence or used it explicitly such 2Pac (Abram).When rappers or artists in general start using degrading terms for music in general as in shown in Malcolm X’s article when he quotes Aaron McGruder when he says "I don't mean b!+(h in a disrespectful way, I mean it as a general term for women," (Abram).when degrading ter...
Music is the most influential form of media to date. Easily accessible, radio dominated most American homes in the early twentieth-century as the only form of entertainment and connection to the world. It wasn 't until later in the century when radio was used by artist as a creative expression of their beliefs, thoughts and ideas. To most musicians, music was a way of reflecting on personal experiences and environments. The extent of expression has become questionable. Freedom of expression in music may place a danger in American lives. Many songs under the rise of the rap genre were questioned in the late twentieth-century under the accusation the music influenced what was socially deemed as negative behavior. The controversy created by artist’s
Music is one type of media that has a profound effect on individuals. Over the years, music has changed a great deal, both in its musical sounds and in the lyrics sung in accompaniment to those sounds. Music lyrics are becoming more violent and sexually explicit than ever, and the violent portrayals in today’s music have a notably negative effect on its listeners.
In an article about censorship on music there are horrible things that have happened to people because of their music. “South Africa revoked singer Miriam Makeba's citizenship and right of return after her 1963 testimony about apartheid before the United Nations” (Polter).