In todays society, adolescents are feeling the increasing controversial tension within the aspect of musical lyrics. Whether we ponder the ethical framework of gansta rap or metal music each instill a viewpoint that have advocates against this freedom of expression at wits end. As a result, a tug-of-war as to whos right and whos not continues to be a quagmire in the sea of society. In a country bent upon political correctness it is anybodys guess as to the right one has to their freedom of speech. So whos right?
Presently, the answer is blockaded by a barrage of protests and arguments, and therefore one must establish heir own mindset towards this controversy. In order to assist in this process, an overview of both sides of the argument must be examined. In addition, I plan to supply my own opinion on the subject. Lastly, I will apply the religious point of view so that one might be able to shape their opinions from a moral stand point as opposed to a political one. 2 All over the world, youths are listening to musical groups such as 2 Live Crew, Nine Inch Nails, and Snoop Doggy Dogg.
The fact is that parents and numerous politicians are speaking out against the lyrical content of their work. They consistently refer to their artistry as gross, violent, offensive, and misogynistic… (p. 1028 The CQ Researcher). All in all, they believe that todays adolescents are being corrupted. Basically, young minds are being manipulated to think in a way that completely contradicts what many see as morally right. Furthermore, anti-gantsta rap and metal music advocates intently stand by and concentrate on how easily adolescent minds are influenced.
So, in the minds of individuals like U. S. News and World Report columnist John Leo, the first amendment concerns about controlling offensive lyrics are utweighed… (p. 28 Bender & Leone). Freedom of speech must be pushed aside in this instance, so that we might ensure a healthy development for generations to come. As the battle continues, gansta rap and metal music opposition consistently cites examples of the negligence and abuses in this aspect of the music industry. To begin with, there is a tremendous outpouring of rage directed towards the frequent degradation of women.
Many are forced to ask the question, Why should our daughters have to grow up in a culture in which musical advice on the domination and abuse f women is accepted as entertainment(p. 28 Bender & Leone)? 3 As a result, rap opposition has targeted specific groups for this injustice. One in particular is rap group 2 Live Crew. They have sold hundreds of thousands of records which contain lyrics condoning sexual injustices against women. For instance, there are songs which involve such acts as forcing anal sex on a girl then forcing her to lick the excrement(p. 8 Bender & Leone). Despite the vulgarity of such examples, rap opposition believe that such extremes must be taken to prove the damage lyrics of this caliber are inflicting. In turn, rap opposition deeply consider their request for the censoring of obscene music as justified. One might possibly ask what the opposition is doing besides complaining about controversial lyrics. It turns out that citizens such as Delores C. Tucker and William J. Bennett are taking matters into their own hands.
Tucker, a liberal Democrat and head of the National Political Congress of Black Women, and Bennett, a conservative Republican and former Education Secretary, joined forces to attack the rap and metal industry. They spared all aggravation and headed straight for the top. Tucker and Bennett comprised an attack against one of the leading distributors, Time Warner. Numerous meetings, and a vast amount of press coverage finally convinced Time Warner to dissolve their relations with such successful rap acts as Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. In addition, the metal group Nine Inch Nails was also released from the company.
As far as the anti-rap and metal 4 advocates were concerned, this was a significant victory to put under their belt. They were on their way to altering society in the ways for which they saw as morally correct. With a slight understanding of the opposition movement, he stage is set for the presentation of the mindset surrounding pro rap and metal affiliates. After all, their ideals have seemed to maintain their position in the mainstream. The music produced by this industry is in high demand, and presently, it doesnt seem like this trend will die off.
All this in mind, we will now examine the ideals revolving around the rap and metal industry and its consumers. Since the formation of the Constitution, American citizens have been seeking refuge behind its words. In the case of musical lyrics, the record industry couples them with freedom of speech. As stated in the constitution, it s an Americans right to say what he/she may feel. If this privilege were eliminated, we would find ourselves in an extremely censored society. Individuals would be unable to know the whole truth, and would therefore be in the dark on many issues that directly affect them.
In the eyes of Chicago Tribune columnist Clarence Page, censorship of musical lyrics would lead to somewhat of a domino effect; Today Hustler, tomorrow Playboy. Today Mapplethorpe, tomorrow Time magazine. Today flag burning, tomorrow an essay that advocates flag burning(p. 33 Bender & Leone). 5 All in all, Page and people much like him, in views, elieve that if we dont abide by the Constitution once, it will, in effect, open the door to numerous abuses. The record industry also defends itself through the usage of one mans worst enemies, the past.
They continuously argue the fact that before there was gansta rap, there were gangsters… (p. 8 Billboard). In actuality this statement is completely true. The fact is that the opposition realizes that gangsters and crime have been around since the beginning of time, but they believe this form of musical expression serves as a catalyst. This basically means that rap and metal music contribute to the roblem. As a reaction, the record industry believes that crime will exist for as long as there is man. Furthermore, they believe it will not matter if music is censored or not.
The existence of crime will always be present and therefore a nuisance to the environment for which we live in. The record industry also plays the defensive by expressing that they believe lyrics of such a filthy nature are intentional. They strongly feel that lyrics of this nature give society a look into a world for which one should veer away from; a world of death, a world of criminality, and a world of corruption. The lyrics that one would find on these records are derived from an individual who experienced what we shouldnt.
He is therefore, expressing his experiences 6 by a means for which he finds suitable. As a result, musicians believe that there is some kind of bias going towards what they believe is art. At this point in time, the tragedy at Columbine High School ties in perfectly with the flow of this argument. As far as we know, two students walked into their public school and proceeded to pummel down classmates in a flurry of gunshots. Fifteen students were killed and numerous injured. Families were broken, and dreams distinguished.
As a result, the media needed someone or something to blame as a cause for these boys to create the largest school massacre to date. They found an easy target in the music the boys listened to. They blamed various artists, including the well known and controversial Marylyn Manson. As far as the media sees it, it couldnt completely be the fault of the two boys, but rather the influences of distasteful lyrics. As usual, the media has attacked the recording industry further engulfing the already powerful fire within the controversy of anti-lyrical affiliation.