Al Sharpton calls for ban on violence in music

[kogase]

Originally posted by: cruiser1338
Anyone hear of freedom of speech? People profit from violence everyday. Surely he doesn't plan to fight against Warner Bros. for the Matrix? Amazing how people feel we need to be cleansed of all bad influences on people these days. You cannot cleanse a society of everything bad, because then we wouldn't be human anymore. God forbid that there'll only be a few Disney movies on the big screen, or that the only music we'll be allowed to listen to is Christian Rock.

I like Al Sharpton (mainly from his appearances on Boston Legal, in fact only because of that), but this is a clear attempt to violate artists freedom of speech.

Freedom of speech isn't entirely free. In this case, he's calling for the censorship of violent music because (he believes) it will incite others to violent acts. This isn't actually protected by the first ammendment. A related example is the oft-cited "shouting fire in a crowded movie theater".

 

[cruiser1338]

But is it the artists responsibility that people may act on things that they hear in a rap song? It is the listener who ends up making the descision to act on whatever they feel the song brought out in them and not the artists fault they sung the song.

There is no reason the artist shouldn't be able to express what he/she feels in their music. Music is around to excite people. Are we going to put a stop to clearly liberal/republican songs because they entice people over to that "side of the fence"? Or stop people singing about problems in the world because it makes people want to do something about it. Simply, NO. And it is preposterous to put a stop to music with violence in it.

Sounds a lot like the next step would be clearing the media of news about terrorists killing US soldiers because it might entice the public into hating them. Like that case about pulling the footage of Sept. 11th off the air because people aren't able to handle it. We can handle violent news, we can handle violent music.

 

[Starbuck1975]

NO real rap labels are fully self owned - NONE of them do their own distrobution. Everyone that you see on TV as a rapper is owned and distributed by someone other than their own label. If you dont understand how it goes its like this: You sell drugs on the corner, you get them from a guy in the "hood" to sell. All money eventually goes back to bob living in the suburbs.

Many of the moguls of the music industry, particularly on the rap and hip hop side of things, are not Bob in the suburbs.
The social elite and wealthy executives of the music industry do not reside in the suburbs...they tend to dwell where other moguls of the entertainment industry thrive.

I cannot think of one poor white community where the music they listen to helps to further encourage or sensationalize the problems that perpetually keep them down.
It is true that rock music glorifies alcohol, drug abuse, womanizing, and other socially irresponsible behavior...but again, I cannot think of one community or area where people are emulating the things they hear in the music.

The same cannot be said for rap music..while ganster rap emerged as a wake up call that exposed the realities of inner city life, it has become something else, where art now imitates life and life in return imitates art.

 

[kogase]

Originally posted by: cruiser1338
But is it the artists responsibility that people may act on things that they hear in a rap song? It is the listener who ends up making the descision to act on whatever they feel the song brought out in them and not the artists fault they sung the song.

There is no reason the artist shouldn't be able to express what he/she feels in their music. Music is around to excite people. Are we going to put a stop to clearly liberal/republican songs because they entice people over to that "side of the fence"? Or stop people singing about problems in the world because it makes people want to do something about it. Simply, NO. And it is preposterous to put a stop to music with violence in it.

Sounds a lot like the next step would be clearing the media of news about terrorists killing US soldiers because it might entice the public into hating them. Like that case about pulling the footage of Sept. 11th off the air because people aren't able to handle it. We can handle violent news, we can handle violent music.

Take up your argument with the SCotUS, not me.

 

[Proletariat]

Originally posted by: Starbuck1975

NO real rap labels are fully self owned - NONE of them do their own distrobution. Everyone that you see on TV as a rapper is owned and distributed by someone other than their own label. If you dont understand how it goes its like this: You sell drugs on the corner, you get them from a guy in the "hood" to sell. All money eventually goes back to bob living in the suburbs.

Many of the moguls of the music industry, particularly on the rap and hip hop side of things, are not Bob in the suburbs.
The social elite and wealthy executives of the music industry do not reside in the suburbs...they tend to dwell where other moguls of the entertainment industry thrive.

I cannot think of one poor white community where the music they listen to helps to further encourage or sensationalize the problems that perpetually keep them down.
It is true that rock music glorifies alcohol, drug abuse, womanizing, and other socially irresponsible behavior...but again, I cannot think of one community or area where people are emulating the things they hear in the music.

The same cannot be said for rap music..while ganster rap emerged as a wake up call that exposed the realities of inner city life, it has become something else, where art now imitates life and life in return imitates art.

Get off your high horse man... I know so many depressed loser white dudes who just smoke pot the whole day and have no aspirations in life. Not only that, they steal all the time and just generally disagreeable people. Lets not get into the metal-listening nerds.

Gangster rap and the Gangster lifestyle is part of Americana. We idolize that lifestyle. Do you remember Scarface? Its no coincidence or strange thing that rap is popular. Violence, sex and excess in general are all things Americans enjoy to watch.

 

[Starbuck1975]

Get off your high horse man... I know so many depressed loser white dudes who just smoke pot the whole day and have no aspirations in life. Not only that, they steal all the time and just generally disagreeable people.

Not talking from a high horse...many of the people I went to high school with are now burned out depressed loser white dudes, and while they are a burden to themselves, they rarely do much of anything to harm the community around them...not that I justify theft, even petty theft, but potheads and armed gangs are two very distinct and different problems.

Gangster rap and the Gangster lifestyle is part of Americana. We idolize that lifestyle. Do you remember Scarface? Its no coincidence or strange thing that rap is popular. Violence and excess are all things Americans enjoy to watch.

This much is true...the way our culture glorifies everyone from Billy the Kid to Al Capone to the new generation of organized crime. So rather then allow the cycle to continue, why not target the current manifestation of popular culture that glorifies such a lifestyle...given the state of our inner cities, wouldn't this be a good thing to get kids away from such negative influences and role models?

Granted, parents play an important if not primary role in teaching kids the difference between right and wrong, but most of the kids who find themselves in gangs lacked responsible adult role models in their communities.

 

[Proletariat]

Originally posted by: Starbuck1975
Not talking from a high horse...many of the people I went to high school with are now burned out depressed loser white dudes, and while they are a burden to themselves, they rarely do much of anything to harm the community around them...not that I justify theft, even petty theft, but potheads and armed gangs are two very distinct and different problems.

I'm not so sure that if they didn't live in dreamland aka Suburbia and were living/grew up in the ghetto they wouldn't turn out any different than those gangsters. I like how much they complain about their current status though.

This much is true...the way our culture glorifies everyone from Billy the Kid to Al Capone to the new generation of organized crime. So rather then allow the cycle to continue, why not target the current manifestation of popular culture that glorifies such a lifestyle...given the state of our inner cities, wouldn't this be a good thing to get kids away from such negative influences and role models?

Granted, parents play an important if not primary role in teaching kids the difference between right and wrong, but most of the kids who find themselves in gangs lacked responsible adult role models in their communities.

It would be a great thing to target. I agree with Sharpton in a sense. But I dislike hardcore death metal all the same. They act like they are so much better than the rap dudes but they are the same except for the fact that P. Diddy gets more women.

 

[cruiser1338]

Because people have a right to choose to glorify anything they like. That is what this country is founded on; the freedom of choice. I'm not saying you shouldn't have to face the consequences for what you do, but you need to have the choice to do it.

The issue isn't violence, but freedom of choice.

 

[beyoku]

All those top "rap moguls" live in the suburbs. They live in the same places that rich sports stars live. I know personally.

 

[classy]

Originally posted by: isasir
While I admire Sharpton for taking this stance, is this the first time that he's, in essence, gong AGAINST African-Americans, since it's primarily this ethnicity that produces a lot of the gangsta music?

I"ve always had a like/hate relationship with the guy (primarily hate). Sometimes he's way too quick to judge, but other times, he seems alright.

Text

NEW YORK (AP) _ Rev. Al Sharpton said he will propose a 90-day ban on radio and television airplay for any performer who uses violence in their music to make a profit.

The activist and former presidential candidate plans to ask the Federal Communications Commission and major radio broadcasters around the country to support the ban.

"There has to be a way to step in and regulate what's going on with the airwaves and with violence," Sharpton told the Daily News in Monday editions. "The airwaves are being used to romanticize urban violence."

Sharpton's announcement follows last week's shooting at the WQHT-FM studios that was suspected to be started by a feud between rappers 50 Cent and The Game. Kevin Reed, a 24-year-old member of The Game's entourage was shot in the leg in the lobby of Hot 97 soon after 50 Cent said he was booting The Game from his G-Unit clique.

"We may not be able to stop people from shooting, but we can stop people from profiting from the violence," said Sharpton.

He said that he would not try to broker peace between artists and would not comment specifically on the feud between the two rappers. But he said in a letter he plans to send to the FCC and broadcast networks that the outcry against violence in music should get as much attention as Janet Jackson's Super Bowl "wardrobe malfunction."

"I recall the outrage that the FCC and others displayed in response to the Super Bowl performance of Jackson," Sharpton wrote. "Yet, when acts of violence happen around radio stations that actually have caused bloodshed, there has been a strange and disturbing silence from all quarters."

Not even remotely true. Sharpton has spoken out about not only violent music before but even black on black crime. And what is this black community? Sharpton has spoken out on issues that affect african americans concerning racial issues. But the black community as whole doesn't support violence and many have fought against gangsta rap as well. I like how you guys continue to pull things out of your rear ends and tagged the black community with it. As a matter of fact white teens are the largest purchasers of gangsta rap.

 

[Starbuck1975]

It would be a great thing to target. I agree with Sharpton in a sense. But I dislike hardcore death metal all the same. They act like they are so much better than the rap dudes but they are the same except for the fact that P. Diddy gets more women.

The exception that rap is in the mainstream while death metal is on the fringes of society...I don't advocate or promote some of the messages in death metal, and refuse to listen to certain bands in the genre because what they have to say is disturbing...then again, death metal bands are not being paraded around in television commercials, performing at award shows or generally accepted by mainstream America.

Rap on the other hand is accepted as mainstream, yet is their message any less disturbing in promoting gang violence and street credibility.

 

[beyoku]

Originally posted by: Starbuck1975

It would be a great thing to target. I agree with Sharpton in a sense. But I dislike hardcore death metal all the same. They act like they are so much better than the rap dudes but they are the same except for the fact that P. Diddy gets more women.

The exception that rap is in the mainstream while death metal is on the fringes of society...I don't advocate or promote some of the messages in death metal, and refuse to listen to certain bands in the genre because what they have to say is disturbing...then again, death metal bands are not being paraded around in television commercials, performing at award shows or generally accepted by mainstream America.
---------------------------------


Do you know why breakdancing and graffiti are not mainstream? And why they are on the "fringes of society."

 

[SuperTool]

Way to pigeonhole black people. Are they all supposed to love violence in music? Why is it when Bill O'Reilly says something about Eminem's music, people don't accuse him of going against white people. There is way too much talk of suicide in many white rock songs, BTW.

 

[conehead433]

Ban Al Sharpton, but first take him out back and .......

 

[Starbuck1975]

Do you know why breakdancing and graffiti are not mainstream? And why they are on the "fringes of society."

Breakdancing was very mainstream in the 1980s

Graffiti is considered an artform in many urban neighborhoods...some companies even use it as a form of advertising.

Heavy metal had its glory days in the limelight as well...but even then, death metal, the dark and socially irresponsible side of rock music, never really crossed over into the mainstream...and that was largely because its message was socially unacceptable.

What is socially acceptable about bitches, ho's and gang violence? These very real and dark aspects of inner city life have assumed an almost caricature status in mainstream media and society in general.

Not sure what your point is.

 

[Detayned1447]

I never did like him much, but I appreciate this effort. I don't like how they profit off of the things that they do, and I never could understand why people would help them get there.

 

[isasir]

Originally posted by: classy

Originally posted by: isasir
While I admire Sharpton for taking this stance, is this the first time that he's, in essence, gong AGAINST African-Americans, since it's primarily this ethnicity that produces a lot of the gangsta music?

I"ve always had a like/hate relationship with the guy (primarily hate). Sometimes he's way too quick to judge, but other times, he seems alright.

Text

NEW YORK (AP) _ Rev. Al Sharpton said he will propose a 90-day ban on radio and television airplay for any performer who uses violence in their music to make a profit.

The activist and former presidential candidate plans to ask the Federal Communications Commission and major radio broadcasters around the country to support the ban.

"There has to be a way to step in and regulate what's going on with the airwaves and with violence," Sharpton told the Daily News in Monday editions. "The airwaves are being used to romanticize urban violence."

Sharpton's announcement follows last week's shooting at the WQHT-FM studios that was suspected to be started by a feud between rappers 50 Cent and The Game. Kevin Reed, a 24-year-old member of The Game's entourage was shot in the leg in the lobby of Hot 97 soon after 50 Cent said he was booting The Game from his G-Unit clique.

"We may not be able to stop people from shooting, but we can stop people from profiting from the violence," said Sharpton.

He said that he would not try to broker peace between artists and would not comment specifically on the feud between the two rappers. But he said in a letter he plans to send to the FCC and broadcast networks that the outcry against violence in music should get as much attention as Janet Jackson's Super Bowl "wardrobe malfunction."

"I recall the outrage that the FCC and others displayed in response to the Super Bowl performance of Jackson," Sharpton wrote. "Yet, when acts of violence happen around radio stations that actually have caused bloodshed, there has been a strange and disturbing silence from all quarters."

Not even remotely true. Sharpton has spoken out about not only violent music before but even black on black crime. And what is this black community? Sharpton has spoken out on issues that affect african americans concerning racial issues. But the black community as whole doesn't support violence and many have fought against gangsta rap as well. I like how you guys continue to pull things out of your rear ends and tagged the black community with it. As a matter of fact white teens are the largest purchasers of gangsta rap.

C'mon, at least add back the "Anandtech's own Al Sharpton clone" comment back to your signature to make this mildly amusing for me to respond to. 😉

I mean really, you criticize me for my 'black community' comment, in which I meant no harm, then you too decide to do something similar by saying "you guys" as if I know these other people on the forum and agree with everything they have to say about these topics. :roll:

 

[classy]

Originally posted by: isasir

Originally posted by: classy

Originally posted by: isasir
While I admire Sharpton for taking this stance, is this the first time that he's, in essence, gong AGAINST African-Americans, since it's primarily this ethnicity that produces a lot of the gangsta music?

I"ve always had a like/hate relationship with the guy (primarily hate). Sometimes he's way too quick to judge, but other times, he seems alright.

Text

NEW YORK (AP) _ Rev. Al Sharpton said he will propose a 90-day ban on radio and television airplay for any performer who uses violence in their music to make a profit.

The activist and former presidential candidate plans to ask the Federal Communications Commission and major radio broadcasters around the country to support the ban.

"There has to be a way to step in and regulate what's going on with the airwaves and with violence," Sharpton told the Daily News in Monday editions. "The airwaves are being used to romanticize urban violence."

Sharpton's announcement follows last week's shooting at the WQHT-FM studios that was suspected to be started by a feud between rappers 50 Cent and The Game. Kevin Reed, a 24-year-old member of The Game's entourage was shot in the leg in the lobby of Hot 97 soon after 50 Cent said he was booting The Game from his G-Unit clique.

"We may not be able to stop people from shooting, but we can stop people from profiting from the violence," said Sharpton.

He said that he would not try to broker peace between artists and would not comment specifically on the feud between the two rappers. But he said in a letter he plans to send to the FCC and broadcast networks that the outcry against violence in music should get as much attention as Janet Jackson's Super Bowl "wardrobe malfunction."

"I recall the outrage that the FCC and others displayed in response to the Super Bowl performance of Jackson," Sharpton wrote. "Yet, when acts of violence happen around radio stations that actually have caused bloodshed, there has been a strange and disturbing silence from all quarters."

Not even remotely true. Sharpton has spoken out about not only violent music before but even black on black crime. And what is this black community? Sharpton has spoken out on issues that affect african americans concerning racial issues. But the black community as whole doesn't support violence and many have fought against gangsta rap as well. I like how you guys continue to pull things out of your rear ends and tagged the black community with it. As a matter of fact white teens are the largest purchasers of gangsta rap.

C'mon, at least add back the "Anandtech's own Al Sharpton clone" comment back to your signature to make this mildly amusing for me to respond to. 😉

I mean really, you criticize me for my 'black community' comment, in which I meant no harm, then you too decide to do something similar by saying "you guys" as if I know these other people on the forum and agree with everything they have to say about these topics. :roll:

🙂 I got to thinking about it might not be proper or legal to use Al's name like that so I decided to remove the reference.

As far as your comment, its typical. If a group or a person black says or does something, in here the white guy runs in and says see look at the black community. But its amazing you got Matthew Hale, Timothy McVeigh and oh so many alike, more serial killers than a tree has leaves, more corrupt white CEOs than Australia has people, look at the oh so many teachers who are being outted as child molestors, most are white, after 9/11 almost all the attacks on middle eastern folks here in this country were committed by whites, all your major crime organizations and drug traffikers are white, all the many white rock bands and music that promote suicide as well as drug use, but yet no one comes in here and equates these people as being the "white community". I wonder why...........................

 

[beyoku]

As far as your comment, its typical. If a group or a person black says or does something, in here the white guy runs in and says see look at the black community. But its amazing you got Matthew Hale, Timothy McVeigh and oh so many alike, more serial killers than a tree has leaves, more corrupt white CEOs than Australia has people, look at the oh so many teachers who are being outted as child molestors, most are white, after 9/11 almost all the attacks on middle eastern folks here in this country were committed by whites, all your major crime organizations and drug traffikers are white, all the many white rock bands and music that promote suicide as well as drug use, but yet no one comes in here and equates these people as being the "white community". I wonder why...........................

I wasnt even going to bring that up. "We" have never blamed corruption; corporate, govt, etc - pretty much in all "forms" and avenues" on a "white community." Nor have "we" blamed "you guys" for what the chuch has been doing in sexual child abuse. BUT since AL Sharpton is requesting a ban on violence in music he is going against african americans becuse - well as you put - violence = african americans?
Graffiti and breakdancing which are TRUE forms in hip hop as a WHOLE are not mainstream because the "white community" has not, and did not figure out a way to market them as a PRODUCT. While with Rap on the other hand, (one aspect of hip hop) this is not the case. Once the idea of the explotiation bore friut - it basically droped down the the lowest common denominator = music that we have today. You pay for this, pay for adds in a popular magazine, pay for the song to be played on a popular radio station, and before you know it your the most popular New artist......the catch is all you have to do is talk about sellign drugs and sound like a kkk recruiter. Follow the money trail and see where it goes.....

 

[JulesMaximus]

Wow, for once I actually agree with Al Sharpton. 😕

 

[classy]

Originally posted by: beyoku

As far as your comment, its typical. If a group or a person black says or does something, in here the white guy runs in and says see look at the black community. But its amazing you got Matthew Hale, Timothy McVeigh and oh so many alike, more serial killers than a tree has leaves, more corrupt white CEOs than Australia has people, look at the oh so many teachers who are being outted as child molestors, most are white, after 9/11 almost all the attacks on middle eastern folks here in this country were committed by whites, all your major crime organizations and drug traffikers are white, all the many white rock bands and music that promote suicide as well as drug use, but yet no one comes in here and equates these people as being the "white community". I wonder why...........................

I wasnt even going to bring that up. "We" have never blamed corruption; corporate, govt, etc - pretty much in all "forms" and avenues" on a "white community." Nor have "we" blamed "you guys" for what the chuch has been doing in sexual child abuse. BUT since AL Sharpton is requesting a ban on violence in music he is going against african americans becuse - well as you put - violence = african americans?
Graffiti and breakdancing which are TRUE forms in hip hop as a WHOLE are not mainstream because the "white community" has not, and did not figure out a way to market them as a PRODUCT. While with Rap on the other hand, (one aspect of hip hop) this is not the case. Once the idea of the explotiation bore friut - it basically droped down the the lowest common denominator = music that we have today. You pay for this, pay for adds in a popular magazine, pay for the song to be played on a popular radio station, and before you know it your the most popular New artist......the catch is all you have to do is talk about sellign drugs and sound like a kkk recruiter. Follow the money trail and see where it goes.....

I didn't even want to mention the "white community preists" raping little boys. I also laugh when I read how they talk about the wanna be thugs because of the way they dress. Well what about the wanna be black syndrome in the "white community". There are no Hollywood Tan places in the "black community". But I can find many in "white communitys". I was shopping the other night, it is the middle of winter and a white lady was damn near as dark as me. I guess deep down the "white community" wants to be black seeing all the tanning salons. The irony on that note is they want color so bad they will risk getting cancer for it. Hmmmmmmmmmmm................sometimes you gotta wonder about the "white community".

 

[isasir]

Originally posted by: classy
🙂 I got to thinking about it might not be proper or legal to use Al's name like that so I decided to remove the reference.

As far as your comment, its typical. If a group or a person black says or does something, in here the white guy runs in and says see look at the black community. But its amazing you got Matthew Hale, Timothy McVeigh and oh so many alike, more serial killers than a tree has leaves, more corrupt white CEOs than Australia has people, look at the oh so many teachers who are being outted as child molestors, most are white, after 9/11 almost all the attacks on middle eastern folks here in this country were committed by whites, all your major crime organizations and drug traffikers are white, all the many white rock bands and music that promote suicide as well as drug use, but yet no one comes in here and equates these people as being the "white community". I wonder why...........................

Well I'm neither white, nor black, I'm more or less Indian, but in some ways, that's not fully accurate. Regardless, I still don't see the big deal with my reference to 'black community.' The main reason being that I meant no harm by it, so, in this particular case, you're just making a mountain out of a molehill.

Al Sharpton spoke out about violence because of an incident in which two black rappers had beef with one another. (Ironically enough, shortly after it helped sell a million of 50's records, I guess they're best buddies now). Al didn't speak up after some white rock band made a song about suicide and drug use. Would you have preferred I said 'gangsta rap community.' Feel free to substitute that then.

You did get me to thinking about this tho', and I think I'm going to write up a rant of sorts in a bit in another topic. here

 

[isasir]

Originally posted by: classy
I didn't even want to mention the "white community preists" raping little boys. I also laugh when I read how they talk about the wanna be thugs because of the way they dress. Well what about the wanna be black syndrome in the "white community". There are no Hollywood Tan places in the "black community". But I can find many in "white communitys". I was shopping the other night, it is the middle of winter and a white lady was damn near as dark as me. I guess deep down the "white community" wants to be black seeing all the tanning salons. The irony on that note is they want color so bad they will risk getting cancer for it. Hmmmmmmmmmmm................sometimes you gotta wonder about the "white community".

The way I heard this was a bit different. In God's Oven of life, the white people were taken out too early, the black people too late, and us Indians were taken out at just the right time. 😉

 

[Cerb]

This is not going against any ethnicity. Much of hip-hop style pop has extreme sexism and violence included. Earlier on, it was a recounting of how bad their daily lives were, and made some social statements. Now its a way to sell records.

I don't think that the music causes violence, but without good parenting, it could definitely be an influence.

However, I think he's stretching things a bit far...par for the course with Sharpton and Jackson, I guess.

Aside: death to ClearChannel! Variety and excellence to the world!

 

[DanDaMan315]

Originally posted by: irwincur
I am sure that he wants to ban to only apply to white artists.

Your probably right.