Musical Censorship: The Oppression Of Society

The consequence of censorship has always been a contentious one, while the question of music censorship is even more complex. Recently in American society, censorship of music has become a considerable political and moral issue that is arrogantly destroying the rights of Americans to enjoy the art of music. Although the First Amendment says that Congress cannot make laws that interrupt the free flow of spoken or written words, these rights are still being destroyed by those who think that they have the authority to judge certain music as impure, offensive, or obscene.

The word to “censor” means, “to examine in order to suppress or delete anything considered objectionable”(par.1). The question that remains is what is considered offensive material and who is making the decision of what is or is not offensive? The First Amendment of the United States Constitution 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” (The United States

In the early 1990’s, the PMRC, in conjunction with the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America), introduced a “voluntary” uniform labeling system that many people know today as the “Parental Advisory” sticker. This sticker is to be placed on albums that contain explicit or adult content and acts as a form of censorship because the stickers effect the availability of the music. The “voluntary” use of the sticker in now way constitutes that the music behind the sticker is in any way violent, harmful, or obscene. In fact, the stick is intended as a “notice” that encourages the parent to be proactive in deciding whether certain musical material is appropriate for their children.

...A group of parents formed and organization called the Parent’s Music Resource Center (PMRC). This organization does not want recordings that include topics or sexuality, violence, drug or alcohol abuse, and suicide to be produced. They also want record companies or store owners to be prosecuted if they produce or sell any music that contains these previous topics. Since the PMRC constantly was pushing this issue, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) did not stop the production of this music, but instead they made up a logo that gave warning that a recording contains harsh lyrics. The RIAA brought forth this logo in 1990 and the logo stated, “Parental Advisory-Explicit Lyrics.” (Par. 1)

...a free society is based on the principle that each and every individual has the right to decide what art or entertainment he or she wants -- or does not want -- to receive or create. Once you allow the government to censor someone else, you cede to it the power to censor you, or something you like...Freedom of expression for ourselves requires freedom of expression for others. It is at the very heart of our democracy.

As with all creative expressions, the beauty is in the eyes (and ears) of the beholder. Musical expression is exactly that, a form of exp

Some topics in this essay:
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