Censorship
...arms, and the most valued, but largely manipulated, right of free speech. As an American citizen the right to free speech comes along with many responsibilities, but for the small percentage of people that exercise their right of free speech to a large public forum, it comes with many stipulations. The most recognizable figures under a barrage of criticism are artists. In our history classic books have been burned, news stories have been altered, and music has been turned off. What's interesting about this group is that the latter is not covered by the first amendment. In this essay I will be exploring the accusations made based on the influence of music, the backlash of the artists, and hypothesize how the scapegoat accusations and censorship of music will affect the twenty first century.
First, I would like to address the idea of music censorship. When the majority of the population thinks of music censorship the first amendment comes to mind. Americans are mislead in this assumption. The first amendment states, "Congress shall make no law representing an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and petition the Government for a redress of grievances." From this one may think that the censorship of music is prohibited based on the law of our constitution. However, when music is censored, our government does not do it, but instead it is done by special interest groups. In the instances that court hearings are conducted to decide whether or not an artist has the right to produce and mass market his or her work, the court hearings are rarely tried as a civil rights hearing. "According to existing laws, art is constitutionally protected speech. But music is not censored on the basis of art; it is censored on the basis of obscenity."...
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