T
The Battalion
OPINION 2
Thursday, April 5,1990
Opinion Page Editor Ellen Hobbs 845-3314
Censorship a bigger problem
than music lyrics themselves
Censorship of’rock and rap music is
the rage across much of the nation.
Conservative parent groups are worried
that rock and rap lyrics are corrupting
America’s youth. Currently, 18 states
have or are working on labeling laws.
The most recent incident of music
censorship was in Florida, where a
statewide ban on several rap albums was
instigated because of their explicit lyrics.
The Parents Music Resource Center
(PMRC), a conservative group of
Washington polticians’ wives, is calling
for more and broader labeling of
records. The PMRC began its berating
of rock music back in 1985 and
continues to gain political power. The
PMRC’s goals include, among other
things, rating songs and putting
appropriate stickers on albums with
“dirty lyrics.” The Recording Industry
Association of America compromised
with the PMRC and agreed to have the
record companies (not the PMRC) put
warning labels on albums which the
record companies determined to have
objectionable lyrics. But the PMRC
wants more.
The music-listening public should not
stand for rating or labeling, whether it
comes from the PMRC or the state
legislatures. There are several reasons
why rock music and rap music should
not be rated or labeled.
Albums can not be rated like movies,
because there are too many songs.
There are over 25,000 songs released
each year on major labels, as opposed to
about 325 movies per year. Most of the
really bad songs are released on obscure
labels in limited markets. Finding and
rating all the songs would be an almost
impossible task (even for a full-time
panel).
Labeling is a form of censorship,
which goes against the spirit of the
First Amendment. If the PMRC were
talking about labeling books instead of
albums, Americans wouldn’t stand for
it. Also, many books and movies are
more explicit than the majority of
released music. For a song to be
successful it must receive radio airplay,
Timm
Doolen
Columnist
and the FCC has guidelines that are
much more stringent for songs than any
guidelines that exist for books or
movies.
Labeling attracts children to the
labeled records (forbidden fruit is the
most tempting). Labeling attracts
special attention to an album. Curious
children will most likely want to hear
what is on those labeled albums. Some
music retailing chains have decided to
counter this by not selling labeled
albums to anyone under 18. This brings
up more First Amendment questions
and also questions of whose
responsibilty it is to monitor what music
children buy.
Youngsters don’t read as much into
the song lyrics as the PMRC thinks
they do. In a study done at California
State University at Fullerton,
researchers concluded rock ’n’ roll
music is not corrupting the moral fiber
of American youth. The researchers
said the songs were interpreted literally
and the descriptions of the songs were
simplistic and superficial.
Labeling makes children search for
meanings they may not have noticed
otherwise. The same Californian
researchers concluded that labeling
albums may actually encourage children
to look for meanings they were
previously unaware of.
Labeling is an attempt by a select few
to make the industry or government do
the job of the parent. If the parents
would do a proper job of parenting, we
wouldn’t need labels at all. Labeling and
Matt
McBurnett
Columnist
rating are just attempts by a select group
to impose its morality on others. The
effect of labeling is to place
responsibility on the record industry,
instead of parents, for making sure
children don’t listen to what the PMRC
doesn’t want them to.
Much of the recent flap about
censorship has been centered around
rap music. Any rap fan knows some
songs contain lyrics which express
violent views and off-color language.
Most of these songs are not heard on the
radio, though, because the FCC will not
allow it.
The option to purchase these items
should still be given to the public,
because to do otherwise is censorship.
What about children? Well, censorship
by parents is certainly not discouraged.
Parents should be allowed to monitor
the environment in which their children
grow up.
But we draw the line when states or
conservative groups want to put their
opinions on the outside of albums in the
form of labels (or if they want to prevent
albums from being sold or opinions
from being expressed).
Does labeling prevent freedom of
expression? As Jello Biafra of the Dead
Kennedys said, “Any time artists have to
do so much as think twice about what
they say in their songs out of fear of
legal or career consequences, that’s
censorship in its ugliest form: muzzling
of the mind.”
Timm Doolen is a junior computer
science major and Matt McBurnett is a
junior electrical engineering major.
Mail Call
Offensive remarks inevitable
EDITOR:
My hat is off to Michael Lee for his response to the highly publicized re
mark made by Clayton Williams. Mr. Williams’ remark was indeed offensive,
however, Michael Lee has pointed out that Mr. Williams made a public apol
ogy-
Michael Lee has provided a strong defense for Clayton Williams when
others have jumped at the opportunity to cast aspersions upon him. When an
individual has been made a public Figure and every form of the mass media is
watching him or her, it is inevitable that they will offend somebody.
Frank Velasco III ‘92
Religion not ‘battle’
EDITOR:
I would like to thank the people who feel strongly enough in their faith to
share it. My life has been radically changed by a friend of mine who shared
the Gospel of Jesus with me. The last thing Christians want to do is harass
people. We just ask that people think about where they stand with God and
help in strengthening their relationship with him.
I apologize to those who have felt Christianity has been “shoved down
their throat.” It is not that Christians have all the answers or are perfect, it’s
that we know the one who is perfect and has all the answers. Religion should
not be a battle of any type. It should be people showing with their speech and
more importantly with their lives how great the Lord is.
Jesus will change your life if you let him, but he has left the choice up to
you. I’m just asking you to be honest with yourself about >our relationship
with God.
Gregg Matte ‘92
Joke sheds insight into Williams’ character
EDITOR:
In response to Timm Doolen’s column on Clayton Williams’ “off-color
joke:”
Doolen states that “The campaign issues are too boring.” It seems Doolen
doesn’t understand that rape is a very big issue. The fact that Williams would
joke about it only shows that he doesn’t give the subject the respect it deserves.
It doesn’t matter if it was a joke or not, it shows his feelings. Of course the fact
that Williams made a public apology means nothing — it would have been po
litical suicide not to.
As far as Ann Richards’ past drug use, it’s just that: in the past. Williams’
views are here and now. I think his “joke” sheds some insight into his actual
personality, a type of personality I personally would be embarrassed to have
represent our state.
Ritchy Menson ’91
Sexist statements have no place in Batt
EDITOR:
John Righter’s article, “AggieCon XXI” (The Battalion vii - April 2) causes
one to wonder if Aggie men have a habit of putting their sexist feet in their
mouths. Whether or not the event warranted two pages of copy is another
question. In his First day’s diary he writes, “Woman gags and binds herself for
monster (I just love cooperative women.).”
Such a statement should forever ban Righter from publishing in The Bat
talion again. At the very least he should apologize to all women (and us men
who tire of this good of boy mentality.) Such statements that continue to per
petuate such attitudes have no place in such a cosmopolitan campus newspa
per as The Battalion. Perhaps he and Ron Garza (‘Tex’ — The Battalion,
April 3) should run on the same ticket for the governorship.
Larry Coker
Graduate student
Williams an embarrassment to A&M, GOP
EDITOR:
This is in response to Michael L. Lee’s opinion printed on April 3. Mi
chael, hell yes Glayton Williams deserves to be attacked for being politically
stupid, sexist and grossly insensitive, as do the other parties you mentioned.
The latter group are free to be as redneck as they please (they’re answerable
to God, I guess), but Williams is rather ambitiously running for public office.
He deserves everything that’s coming to him, including condemnation of that
part of his character. Michael, you also appear pretty ignorant for being a se
nior political science major. The governorship of Texas is not a “managerial
position” nor is it even a position with substantial executive power. Aside for
making some appointments, calling special sessions and having veto power,
the governor’s major role is that of a moral leader. Of Claytie’s business back
ground and his sense of humor give me little comfort about his qualifications
for the job. He is an embarrassment to A&M and the Republican party.
John Robinson ’83
Have an opinion? Express it!
Letters to the editor should not exceed JUG words in length. The editorial staff reserves the light to edit letters
for style and length, but will make every effort to maintain the author's intent. There is no guarantee that
letters submitted will be printed. Each letter must be signed and must include the classification, address and
telephone number of the writer. All letters may be brought to 216 Reed McDonald, or sent to Campus Mail
Stop 1111.
The Battalion
(USPS 045 360)
Member of
Texas Press Association
Southwest Journalism Conference
The Battalion Editorial Board
Scot Walker, Editor
Monique Threadgill,
Managing Editor
Ellen Hobbs, Opinion Page Editor
Melissa Naumann, City Editor
Cindy McMillian,
Lisa Robertson,
News Editors
Richard Tijerina,
Sports Editor
Fredrick D. Joe, Art Director
Mary-Lynne Rice,
Lifestyles Editor
Editorial Policy
The Battalion is a non-profit, self-sup
porting newspaper operated as a commu
nity service to Texas A&M and Bryan-
College Station.
Opinions expressed in The Battalion
are those of the editorial board or the au
thor, and do not necessarily represent the
opinions of Texas A&M administrators,
faculty or the Board of Regents.
The Battalion is published Monday
through Friday during Texas A&M regu
lar semesters, except for holiday and ex
amination periods.
Mail subscriptions are $21.50 per se
mester, $43 per school year and $53.75
per full year. Advertising rates furnished
on request.
Our address: The Battalion, 230 Reed
McDonald, Texas A&M University, Col
lege Station, TX 77843-1111.
Second class postage paid at (College
Station, TX 77843.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes
to The Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald,
Texas A&M University, College Station
TX 77843-41 11.
Adventures In Cartooning
flM TRYING TO
FIGURE OUT HOW
V€, TWO cmwN
CHARACTERS, CAN
MAKE SOME EXTRA)
~~l MONCV^J
\NCil, HERE'S SOME
THING TO SNACA ON
WHILE you THIN A - A
DOUH MADISON CUP-
CARE C ENDORSED 0V
"PEANUTS*) AND SOME
GRAPE SOM SERVED IN
A "GARFIELD" MUG.
by Don Atkinson Jr.
1 ALSO GOT V0U A VRESCNT!
AN "OPUS" DOLL, THE NEW
'CALVIN AND HOBBES"
BOOH AND A "DOONES&JW" j
CALENDAR l '
3!
THANKS, BUT I'M STIU-
TPHING TO FIGURE OUT
HOW CARTOON CHRRACIZRS
CAN MAKE EXTRA ,—
MONEVir
T
VEAH, THAT'S
A T0UGHONC\
ALL RIGHT! /