Preview

Music Censorship

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
927 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Music Censorship
Should Music be Censored?
Once people hear about the United States they automatically relate the country to the word "freedom." Little do they know that this country has many similarities to countries where censorship plays a major role in their daily lives, due to their government. One of the major issues that involve censorship within the United States is the question whether or not music should be censored; and how will parents or the government decide at what age it is appropriate to allow children to listen to music pertaining profanity? There are two sides to this issue; there are people who are for and there are those who are against censorship in music. At what point does action transcend from a matter of consumer choice to the matter of censorship? I think that the government and parents should not refrain their children from listening to different kinds of music, because once they do that, they deprive their children from knowing what 's happening in our society. People that are for the issue of censorship are usually from the older generation. These people consist of government officials that have children of their own. They believe that music pertaining profanity is one of the main factors for the problems that occur in our society. Such problems consist of an increase in violence and drug use amongst adolescents. An example was the incident that occurred at Columbine High School, where the media and others looked towards music as one of the causes for the incident. They feel that the music promotes sex, drugs, and violence. Critics believe that the children are not quite mature to listen to music with profanity in it. On the other side of the issue many people think , neither parent nor the government should censor the type of music their children listen to. "By withholding art it goes against the first amendment that deals with freedom of speech, stated as; Congress shall make no law representing an establishment of religion, or prohibiting



Cited: Graham, Martha. "A Brief History of Banned Music in the United States- Introduction. http://ericnuzum.com/banned/mcensorship.html. Morse, Steve. "Up against the Wal-mart: Rockers and Rappers claim censorship". http://www.massmic.com/walmart.html.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    I believe censorship is acceptable because it’s very much needed in today’s society. Not all movies or music are meant for a younger age group. There are specific genres and ratings for children because most adults believe they should be “shielded” from the topics discussed or depicted. The NC-17 rating is perfect for those people who enjoy seeing brains ripped out of a person’s head. Also censorship is acceptable because there is larger variety of movies for parents to see while their child watches a PG…

    • 683 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    This article was written by Heather Newton to address the issue(s) of music censorship. Newton shares a neutral point of view, meaning her standpoint does not favor pro-censorship or anti-censorship. She mentions her concern within freedom of expression and how it related to music censorship. “Since music censorship raises issues related to fundamental liberties and government intrusion, any efforts to quell musical expression are viewed by critics as being suspect and incompatible with civil liberties in the US.”…

    • 326 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Dahyanna Robinson

    • 765 Words
    • 2 Pages

    “America- It’s a free country. Part of that freedom is the right to listen to the music you love. But music can hurt, too. Some songs have lyrics that put down different races or groups. Some songs celebrate drugs and violence. What happens when music offends?” Music has always been a basic form of expression. From Antonin dvorak, to Eminem, to even ancient, tribal music, it has been a way through which individuals convey their thoughts and expressions. Everyone has the right to listen to what they want as long as they do it with consideration to others. Everywhere we turn, everything we do and say is being scrutinized, no longer are we all allowed to think freely, openly. All the censorship out there is a way of stopping our right of free expression because it doesn’t fit their description of what is decent and moral. What they fail to realize is that we all have our right to be free as long as no one is being out in danger, and I don’t think music has ever hurt anyone. Music shouldn’t be censored.…

    • 765 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Imagine, if you will, a world where we are told what music to sing, what music to play, and even what we may listen to in the privacy of our own homes. That world already exists as a reality in more countries that you might imagine, and that very reality is knocking on our door: In the USA, lobbying groups have succeeded in keeping popular music off the concert stage, out of the media, and off of the shelves.…

    • 599 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Music Censorship

    • 331 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Write a draft of at least 900 words that includes your introduction, body, and conclusion. Use the following to write your draft:…

    • 331 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Censorship, in true form, is the systematic banning of books, the Internet, or other literature due to content that has been deemed inappropriate. In the United States, it is used widely in the context of adolescent literature. Resistors to this movement often claim that the government is violating many children’s first amendment rights. Numerous cases have been brought. Others find this act of restricting material devastating to the education system. Censorship has infringed on children’s first amendment rights and has violated the civil liberties of American youth.…

    • 1536 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Boris Opening Statement- Censorship in music is a topic that has brought about much controversy in the past two decades. There have been many different arguments on the topic, however the question still remains as if it should be censored or it should not be censored. Before you can form an opinion on this, you must hear both sides of the argument on this much-debated topic. Some people believe that music should be censored so all audiences can hear it without it containing any controversial lyrics. Others believe it should not be censored and musical artists should be able to speak, sing, rap, or rhyme freely without anyone censoring them. Preventing speech is a clear violation of the First Amendment. When you really think about it, it is a violation of the First Amendment, which says: "Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech or of the press". The First Amendment guarantees the right to freedom of speech, and censorship is violating peoples' rights to say whatever they…

    • 1026 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    the past two decades. There have been many different arguments on the topic, however the question still remains as if it should be censored or it should not be censored. Before one can form an opinion on this, one must hear both sides of the argument. Some believe that music should be censored so all audiences can hear it without it containing any controversial lyrics. Others believe it should not be censored and musical artists should be able to speak, sing, rap, or rhyme freely without anyone censoring them.…

    • 963 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    At this very moment our rights are being violated.Sensor ship is a spreading like wildfire and is taking away our constitutional rights.Censor ship even violates the fourth amendment.It can take away an artists opinion and say.Finally it gives us less of a freedom to choose.So to conclude this article music should not be…

    • 527 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Censorship protects our children from seeing what could possibly damage them mentally and keeps things that should not be seen in public to stay in the shadows. Many people hate censorship because they think it takes away their freedom of speech. It doesn’t because as long as the people don’t say things that should be said they won’t be censored. Censorship stops things from being seen that shouldn’t be. Censorship is a necessity for the new…

    • 1697 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    The U.S. Constitution says that everyone that is an American citizen has the right of free speech. You can find censorship almost anywhere around you. It’s in music, television, and even literature. I don’t believe that it is fair that there be some much censorship in a country that does nothing but promise freedom to all its occupants. It is said that suppression of all of these things helps to prevent the crimes that occur. However even with all of the restrictions, there are still people murdering and stealing. America was founded on freedom. Why should the government censor the motion picture industry, the…

    • 1071 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    According to the First Amendment, artists should be protected by the freedom of speech which by law should protect the artist from any censorship. For example, if a rapper uses vulgar language in one of their songs and raps about fighting or killing their enemy, it doesn’t necessarily mean that whoever is listening will go out and commit a murder. If you’re an adult, you can’t blame a song or an artist for your actions. Whatever an artist says in their music isn’t mean’t to be taken verbatim, in most situations the lyrics are just for entertainment, nothing more. Most people that support the censorship of music are only supporting it for personal reasons. Most people are willing to give up their freedom of speech just because they don’t agree with 21 Savage’s views on religion and how he lived his life or how Lil Wayne chooses to be in a gang or smokes weed.…

    • 596 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Censorship is caused when books, movies, etc. are examined, and unacceptable parts are suppressed or the whole thing is banned. Schools nationwide have been banning books due to reasons such as racial issues, sexual explicit content, religious affiliations, violence, political bias, encouragement of “damaging” lifestyles, and etc. Often it is argued that banning books protects students from being exposed to inappropriate content, while others say that students should have the freedom to read what they want.…

    • 147 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Music carries many trends from generation to generation, but one of the oldest forms of censorship is what can and can’t be read on paper. Banned books are usually illegal because of certain information that could be a threat to someone or security. Censorship in today’s society can get out of hand real quick on both ends of the issue. It seems like there is always someone who is personally offended by something and tries to take whatever offended them away from everyone else. Then again, if there was no censorship, perhaps collective morals would cease to exist in society. What is not obscene to one person could very well be to another and that is one main reason why censorship does exist. However, that something is obscene to one person shouldn’t forbid another from seeing or hearing that form of expression if they want. Censorship helps gives the right to parents to raise their children in an environment in which parents feel comfortable and it helps parents decide what materials their children can be exposed to and what should be withheld. “We are living in a time when flowers are trying to live on flowers, instead of growing on good rain and black loam,” said Faber. What Faber is talking about is that censorship can also…

    • 1270 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    The word censorship communicates a negative overtone. Basically, it refers to restrictions placed on an individual’s or group’s right to publicly communicate something in a variety of formats. In America, there are instances in which individuals and groups are censored for the wrong reasons. For instance, a person of faith should not be censored from praying in public. There are too many instances of this occurring which indicates the fascination with being politically correct has reached a point of absurdity. Yet, there are things in American culture that should be restricted. For example, pornography should not be freely disseminated among children. Pornography should be censored. As a Christian, I see no place for pornography at all but…

    • 132 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays