What is censorship? The definition is as follows:
the suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, films, news, etc. that are considered obscence, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security.
Understand, I grew up in the era of the Parental Advisory label and my moms thinking Bon Jovi were devil worshippers (my mother is 80 🙃, and now she likes Bon Jovi, BTW). I remember when the PAL was first introduced. The first cassette tape I bought that had the PAL on it (yes, I said CASSETTE TAPE, give it a rest, I’m getting old) was Guns & Roses, Appetite for Destruction. I remember my mother FREAKING out because the label was on the front. The first one got thrown away. I hid the second.  I think I turned out ok listening to that damned rock n’ roll…
Then came rap. Now, I’m not a big fan. There’s a few I like. I remember the PAL was giving itself aneurysms over rap lyrics. But, voices should be heard, no matter the message. It cannot be stopped. And heard, they were.Â
Getting more to the point, by definition alone, a MAJORITY of our music, books, films, etc, are obscene, politically unacceptable or a threat to security. That’s part of what makes living in America so righteously awesome. The freedom to speak your mind.Â
Let me give you some examples. For instance, one might be offended by this:Â
You and your husband have a fight/One of you tries to grab a knife, and during the struggle/He accidentally gets his Adam’s apple sliced (No!)/And while this is going on, his son just woke up/And he walks in, she panics/And he gets his throat cut (Oh my God!)/So now they both dead, and you slash your own throat/So now it’s double homicide and suicide with no note-“Kim”-Eminem
Or perhaps this:
I got blood on my hands and there’s no remorse, and got blood on my dick cause I fucked a corpse-“Bring Ya Whole Crew”-DMX
Now, personally, I don’t particularly care for the subject matter, but to each his own.
NOW, how about this?
Hold back the anger and hate/Let love lead the way/Take back our dignity/Let every voice ring free/’Cuz we know if we don’t watch out/We could all go under and drown-“Make America Great Again!”-Joy Villa
Or THIS?
I’m on this train moving way too slow/Where it stops, ain’t nobody knows/And they say I just gotta let it go/ But the heart can’t want what the heart don’t know-“What the Heart Don’t Know”-Kaya Jones
I guess my point is, if one is ok, then why not the other? I don’t see anyone censoring the likes of DMX, Eminem or Snoop. Nor would I ask anyone to.Â
You see, one of the fundamental principles of America is our right to free speech. The ability to freely speak your mind and express yourself openly.Â
But, what I see happening to artists like Joy and Kaya, simply because of their political beliefs, is tantamount to book burning.
I believe in free speech. Do I think there are lines that can be crossed? Yes. I don’t personally think inciting violence or hate is productive or creative in any way, BUT, that is not for me to judge. I can choose to listen…or not. I simply choose not to. The point is, that each individual has the right to express themselves, however they choose. Music, writing, sculpture, painting, dressing boldly, green hair, body piercings; these are all different forms of expression. No one should be judged by that form.Â
Thoughts?Arguments? General comments? Hit me up. You know where to find me. 🙃
