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Rap Music/violence

 

            
             The issue of whether rap music contributes to violent crime is a continual debate here in America. In this essay I will look at two articles and analyze them to find which argument I believe in. Dennis R. Martin, president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police, theorizes that since "music has the power both to sooth the ravage beast' and to stir violent emotions,"" then rising racial tensions and violence can be attributed to rock music's promotion of "vile, deviant, and sociopathic behaviors. Criminologist Mark S. Hamm and Jeff Ferrell reject Martin's analysis of the relationship between music and violence, charging that theory is based on racism and ignorance of both music and cultural forces (Monk p18). .
             In Martin's article, "Music of Murder,"" he stresses that music containing violent images through words is the misuse of the first amendment and that it can influence the mind. Influencing the mind the same way that music can uplift the spirit or rage it. Martin believes that lyrical references strong enough can take over the subconscious causing people to act in ways they otherwise wouldn't. .
             Mark S. Hamm and Jeff Ferrell's article, "Rap, Cops and Crime: Clarifying the Cop Killer' Controversy,"" speaks of rappers singing about everyday experiences. They see nothing wrong with rappers singing about violence, prostitution, etc., they say it constitutes rap's appeal for millions of middle-class white kids who have never been inside the black ghetto.
             My own opinion on this matter is that rap songs that contain violence to an extreme degree are wrong and immoral. This kind of music is being sold to young children without any thought of concern. When many children listen to this kind of music they think that what is being said in the songs is not wrong or against the law. The lyrics in many songs contain violent and explicit lyrics that usually talk about killing someone along with sounds of gunshots in the background.


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