A View on Censorship and the Government
The censorship of music and other forms of entertainment by the government have long been the topic of discussion among social and political circles. Some forms of censorship such as warning labels for parents can be helpful. However the censorship of music is just not right, and the government has no right to do so. All too often the government gets on a self righteous feeling and thinks that it is it's right to control what goes in or out of this so called "free nation's" minds. Censorship in music falls into one of those categories in which the American people and the American government, which is supposed to be a representation of the people, have extremely conflicting ideas on the subject. Some say that the government should regulate the music industry. They say that the American people don't know what is best for them as a whole. Their proof is in the increase in violence, crime, Unadulterated sex and other "taboos" that have been on the rise in recent years. There are those that say that the government should only slightly be involved. These are the proponents of warning labels and the like, and that is abou
Oppelaar, Justin. "Music business rates the ratings." Variety 18-24 Sep. 2000: 126 Again, an example of using the first and most obvious scapegoat that is available. The bottom line is that music does not cause action. Music is thoughts, feelings, moods, attitudes, and ideas. Music is not a tool to affect the nation and its actions, and there has been no conclusive evidence otherwise. Most of those who are of the opinion to let government help regulate the entertainment industries take the all too familiar tragic occurrence at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado as proof of their position. On April 20, 1999, two students interred the school and killed twelve other students, a teacher, and then themselves, and set the media and the entertainment worlds ablaze. The two killers were said by their peers to be avid fans of Marilyn Manson, and were even said to almost idolize him. Marilyn Manson is the all to accused shock-rocker who has been described by the music press as an "ultra-violent satanic rock monstrosity" (Jipping). A vast majority of media publications refer to these reports, but never give the information to find the report oneself. This to me is no coincidence. Every article that I have read in my research has quoted lines out of context in an effort to emotionally sway the reader. The incident at the Woodstock '99 Festival in rural New York is another attempted example of violent actions and violent music. On the last day of the festival the crowd was whipped into a frenzy of burning cars and speakers and people dancing naked among the flames. Ironically, the band playing at the time was the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Even more ironic is the fact that they were doing a cover of Jimi Hendrix's "Fire" (Naylor). Five hundred riot police were called in. Later that evening, Limp Bizkit stirred the spectators into an even greater frenzy. The mob eventually destroyed the entire park. Many had the nerve to say that it was the actions and words of Limp Bizkit that caused the actions of the crowd. This is also the same festival that had five-dollar hamburgers, two and a half-dollar cokes, and unsanitary toile
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1457
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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