Gangsta Rap, Censorship of Options

[Hell-Rell]

Should the government censor lyrics of songs that are violent or expletive, for example “gangsta”rap?

There is an ongoing debate about the impact of music on certain listeners – especially music such as « gangsta » rap, with lyrics linked to violence and illegal acts. There is widespread disagreement, for example between the music industry and parents’ groups, about the effect such music has on young listeners, and their behaviour, i.e. does it encourage them to behave in a particular way?


I think that Government censorship is a dangerous form of statist control. Even if one accepts the argument for some limited form of government censorship to protect public morals, this needs to be very precisely and conservatively defined to avoid the slippery slope towards creeping totalitarianism. Allowing censorship of popular culture on grounds that the lyrics are mildly subversive is unwelcome as it incorporates a very expansive view of the proper ambit of government regulation. This issue is properly the concern of parents, who should take more interest in, and responsibility for, the music (and films, TV, internet use) to which their children are exposed.

[technicolour]

*gasp* A debate that doesn't involve religion. *gasp*

First off I realize that some kids are born with a certain temperate from a psychological point of view, but it’s the parents fault for not properly teaching their kids right from wrong. I listen to gangster rap(all types of music for that matter) and it has no effect on my whole outlook on life.

Ok. The red should help proove my point, if I did the coloring right, but anyways.
This is you though. Slightly biased. [What isn't these days though] Sure you dont but what about little Johnny down the block who is only 9? He listens to this, thinks OH GUN! ME SHOOT! and then what happens?

because I realize its all entertainment.

But that's just it. Not that many kids get that it's entertainment.

I think kids that commit crimes are responsible for their own actions, and are just looking for an excuse because they figure they can get away with it.

Kids ARE responsible for the crimes they commit. Kids THINK they could get away with whatever they do by blaming the music. But when the kids do a crime that is perfectly spelt out in a song, that raises up a couple of questions.

Just like those kids who played GTA: San Andreas and were inspired to go paint graffiti around the city. The video game did not take you do the specific destination in which you decided to paint, but you yourself decided to do so.

My colorization prooves the point. They were INSPIRED to tag places from this game.

If the government really wanted to put an end to so called gangster rap then it would stop go to every poor neighborhood and eliminate all the drug dealers, stride to put more money into helping the disadvantage instead of launching million dollar missiles at vacant buildings. This would more than likely reduce the crime rate somewhat(if not then disregard that statement), but to just single out rap, I myself have suspicions on the governments intentions and motives.

Alright. The red, they are TRYING TO DO! There are so many...we can't get 'em all but we can take a chunk out of them.

The green= Wtf? Launching missles at vacant missles? Care to explain that one?

and the blue. Care to explain that one as well?