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Does Violent Lyrics Promote Violence

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Does Violent Lyrics Promote Violence
Bianca Phillips
Eng.101/Baker
11/9/11
Does Violent Lyrics Cause Violence

Some people believe music has become a reason for children turning to violence. Are violent lyrics making children act out violently? Then there’s the other side that say stop blaming music for violence. I believe violent lyrics can cause someone to act out violently, because songs with violent lyrics can prompt thoughts of violence. Songs that talk about shooting and killing each other can make the listener more aggressive. When rappers have a beef with one another their words can turn into a violent war and leave people hurt or dead. According to an article called “What violent lyrics do to our children,” songs with violent lyrics make people who hear them …show more content…
While in court, they claimed to be influenced by the lyrics of Tupac’s song “2Pacalypse Now”. In the song Tupac talked about killing a policeman. In 1999, a shooting occurred at Columbine High School. Two seniors, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, killed 12 students and one teacher, and soon after committed suicide. The blame of the shooting was because the boys listened to Marilyn Manson with his dark lyrics. The media failed to mention that Walker had a six-year history of drugs, burglary and weapons offenses. According to USA Today, Harris and Klebold had ‘’serious psychological problems”(Reiss).Psychologists say that Harris was a “cold-blooded, predatory psychopath”(Reiss). “I don’t believe music causes violence. Music is a good outlet for feelings. When you're depressed you listen to sad songs; when you’re angry you listen to violent songs. The violence is already there; the music isn’t causing it,” school Resource Officer Keith Gardner said (Reiss). I personally believe that music does cause violence. Clearly they said something was wrong with the boys, so meaning before they listened to the violent lyrics it didn't affect them. They already had problems. Violent lyrics does not affect those who are already extremely …show more content…
Now sit them down in front of the television again, but this time put Barney on. Give the children play time again and sure enough the children will play peacefully with each other. The point I am trying to make is since the children played roughly with each other after watching Power Rangers, Power Rangers influenced them to behave that way. Barney is a peaceful and sing along show after watching the show the children played well with one another instead of before. If television shows can cause children to act out differently, then how come music doesn't cause people to act out
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