Music Censorship

Music Censorship

Tia Caldwell

COM/156

June 29 2014

Kari Vorderlandwehr

Music Censorship

In the words of the famous Pablo Picasso, “All art is a lie that helps to see the truth better.” Censorship comes into play because of those who can jumble up the truth when they are supposed to represent the people of their nation, “All art is a lie in that it attempts to imitate truth or to reveal something about reality outside the piece of art” (Lombardi, 1991). Censorship is largely viewed as a method that has disappeared from liberal cultures since the enlightenment with the exception of restrictions in the time of war. This enlightenment served to cripple the bigotry of incisive religious and government leaders, but did not abolish censorship altogether. Instead new people have taken over with new tactics. “Censors now assume the guise of capitalist retailers and distributors, special-interest groups, and less influential but still passionate religious and government authorities” (Lombardi, 1991). Censorship is now in the hands of the politicians where they have no problem ruining the creativity of someone and violating the rights of citizens they are supposed to represent. They do not realize that we as human beings were given rights that should not be challenged, that those who have decided to let their art be a form of entertainment should be the only ones who decide if they want their art to censored or not.

Art imitates life. It can be a window into our souls and it is way we can perceive ourselves and others around us. With this being said, people will turn to various forms of art including music, TV, books, paintings, graffiti, and even dancing. Every one of these has a story to tell, and it is always a story with a look into someone’s life which could be filled with hate, sadness, love, happiness or just a story that wants to be told. Art is also a good way to expose lies of people who spew them daily. “The responsibility of society, if it accepts...