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Censorship in the music industry, which has existed long before forms of media were invented to broadcast the music itself, has seemingly grown out of control in the last couple of years. The controversy comes not just from the bands creating the music but from those who hold the power to censor the music as well. While many support the choice to censor music, many more find it unconstitutional and a direct violation to our rights. It is quite unfortunate that some find it necessary to censor another s form of artistic outlet.
The censorship of music, which has become quite newsworthy over the last few years, has occurred as early as the mid- 1880 s with the censorship of Giuseppe Verdi s opera La Traviata. Different bands with different gimmicks have felt to be too controversial and have even had their records banned in chain stores as well as trying to have their performances outlawed from several states. Marilyn Manson Brian Warner s (Marilyn Manson s) onstage antics as well as his off stage comments has brought him heat from many people. Because of his performance during the Antichrist Superstar tour where he not only rips out pages from the Bible but proceeds to burn them, he and his band were asked not to play in Dallas, Texas.
As a result, Mr. Warner stated in many interviews that he felt the state government of Texas consisted of nothing more than rednecks and cousin marrying people. Because of his statements, any and all consideration to allow the band Marilyn Manson to play in Dallas, Texas had lost hope. (1) After a year had passed, Marilyn Manson had been allowed to play in Dallas. However, he had continued with the bible tearing / burning and seemed to only become more vulgar. Numerous times during his performance, he antagonized security guards and Police officers.
Not only swearing at them but basically daring him to arrest him. (2) However only a rumor, it was said that on his way out of the arena, he shoved a security guard down a small flight of stairs. Though never proven, Brian Warner and his band Marilyn Manson were asked not to visit Dallas any time soon. (3) An organization known as the Christian Coalition launched several verbal assaults on Mr. Warner criticizing his stage performance and referring to him as a degenerate hell-bound soul. Adding that they realize he is a highly intelligent man, they feel that his stage show goes passed the lines of good taste and entertainment.
Upon learning of the Christian Coalition s comments, Mr. Warner shot back with comments of his own including accusations of the Christian Coalition to be hypocritical and too obsessed to worry about things that actually endanger their children. After nearly six months of feuding, the two parties had stopped but not on well grounds. (4) Not long after the incident with the Christian Coalition, protesters flocked to Marilyn Manson concerts to preach of the evils that are contained in the music of Marilyn Manson. It was not uncommon for Christian protesters to attempt to convert fans of the shock-rock band. After this had become a common scene for Marilyn Manson concerts, fans of the band would oppose the protesters and launch uncalled for comments directed towards their faith which resulted in the police being called on several occasions. Although it too was only a rumor, it was said that fights broke out between Marilyn Manson supporters and Christian protesters.
When asked to comment on the rumor, Mr. Warner stated it s hard to believe that his fans would sink the to the level of modern society. (5) Since the beginning of the entire Antichrist Superstar controversy, Marilyn Manson was mentioned at churches around the country. While many sermons were based on the shock-rocker, some priests mentioned him only briefly. Perhaps the most outrageous plea made by the Christian community was by Father Joseph Brand elli of The First Church of Holy Christ in New York City. He was but the first priest to beg of his community to burn Marilyn Manson s records.
This was thought highly amusing by Mr. Warner who said, I m glad I can keep their faith in business. If they feel a need to run out and buy my records only to burn them, fine. I still get my share of the profit.
Needless to say, this greatly agitated those who urged others to burn the records however nothing more was ever said. (6) Perhaps what had begun all the problems was his Antichrist persona. During this time when his third full length record titled Antichrist Superstar was in stores, he had worked into his stage shows the blasphemous routines which he had become infamous for. It was because of this tour that spawned the rumors such as animal sacrifice in which he d force the audience to kill puppies before he would begin the show. It has been stressed that this rumor and all the others are nothing but fabrications of sick minded fools. Mr. Warner has admitted to taking a liking to the rumors he finds of himself spread across on the internet.
They claim that I am the sick and demented one yet they are the ones who come up with these disgusting rumors about me. Maybe they should take some time out of their busy schedule and analyze things. Maybe then they ll see that I m not the one who is f up after all. Towards the end of his tour, Mr. Warner publicly stated that none of the songs he wrote meant what they seemed but were instead in reference to the downfall of American society. (7) Mr. Warner publicly apologized towards the end of his Antichrist Superstar tour stating that America had left a bad taste in his mouth.
The public felt it was only a ploy to gain either sympathy or support. Thus, his apology was not accepted. Regardless of what the public thought, Marilyn Manson went on to release his fourth full length cd titled Mechanical Animals which songs were littered with references to sex and drugs. (8) The Tipper Sticker In the mid- 1980 s, Tipper Gore had lead a movement to make stickers with the words Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics mandatory for all records with explicit content. She had started by organizing groups of supporters so she would be noticed. After passing legislation, it became mandatory for these stickers to be used but it was claimed to be the record company s choice. However, after a short time, the original intentions of the warning label had changed.
Originally, the sticker was intended to disable anyone under the age of 18 to purchase the record. This was in hopes of letting parents be aware of what their children are listening to. But soon stores such as Wal-Mart and K-Mart would refuse to sell the record unless the unacceptable content was altered. (9) Because of Wal-Mart s family theme, they were one of the first stores to refuse sale of stickers items. Wal-Mart had stated that if artists wanted their record sold, they would either need to change cover art work or make a clean version of the song.
This lead to the belief that Wal-Mart changed the face of pop music. Because Wal-Mart was one of the leading stores to buy records, artists wanted their records to be sold there. While many thought that it was a form of selling out, other wanted to make money and gave into the requests of Wal-Mart. There have been many artists who stood up to the super chain store such as rapper Chuck D of Public Enemy. Chuck D felt that the decision was hypocritical because Wal-Mart would ask artists to make their products more family friendly but would sell guns and knifes a few isles away from the music isle. Although many artists were opposed to Wal-Mart s request, other s did in fact change what needed to be changed stating they were keeping in mind their younger fans.
Rob Zombie, formally of White Zombie, had refused to change his debut record titled Sexorcito but did have the cover art to Super swingin Sexy Sounds altered. The original cover had a picture of a nude woman resting in a hammock but all of her inappropriate were covered by her arms or legs. In the re-release of the cd, the model had a blue bikini painted over her. (10) At this point, even Tipper Gore had felt this got out of hand. She resigned as the head of the PMRC, nearly ashamed for what she had done, and publicly apologized for her actions admitting it was a mistake in her career. (9) Censorship of Music in School Even students who supported controversial bands by wearing their t-shirts were forced to face as much as suspension. Jessica Mc Carrol, a student at Hope Mills High School, was suspended eight days for wearing a Marilyn Manson t-shirt. The school district s policy on clothing permits offical's to ban any types of clothing that are seen as interfering with discipline and the operation of the school.
After the murder of a local police officer, students were called down to consoling to see if they could be helped. Many students complained that certain t-shirts promote the type of violent behavior that was suffered days ago. As a result, Marilyn Manson shirts as well as gangsta rap shirts were banned. Because of her daughter s suspension, Sherrie Mc Carol fought for her daughter.
Upon hearing of the case, The American Civil Liberties Union joined the defense of Jessica Mc Carol. Mc Carol eventually won the case and as a result, the outlawed shirts were once again allowed on school campus. Unfortunately, only four of the students who were suspended had their suspensions stricken from their record. (11) Willis Intermediate Schools had originally banned t-shirts containing negative messages such as shirts that were pro-satanism. However, this slowly progressed to the banning of more shirts. The next t-shirts to be banned were Christian t-shirts in an effort to be fair. This lead to many accusing the administrators at Willis for attempting to do away with the student s first Amendment rights.
The reason for Christian shirts to be banned as well was a result of finger pointing by those effected by the original ban. Because of the well why can they mentality, the board of administration banned Christian carrying slogan shirts as well. Many students effected by the ban gathered around the school protesting and quoting the first amendment. This got the students detention or suspension at the most. Willis High School has been accused of direct violation of the Constitutional Rights but have yet to revoke their ban on clothing.
John Ross, 17, was pulled out of a local grocery store for wearing a Marilyn Manson shirt which read God Of F. Ross was taken outside by a security guard who asked as people left the store if they were offended by the shirt. While only three said yes, it proved to be enough for Ross to be asked to leave. Ross threatened legal action yet none was ever taken due to the fact that neither of his parents were aware he had the shirt and they both found it offensive as well. (12) The censorship of music, which has become quite newsworthy over the last few years, has occurred as early as the mid- 1880 s with the censorship of Giuseppe Verdi s opera La Traviata. Different bands with different gimmicks have felt to be too controversial and have even had their records banned in chain stores as well as trying to have their performances outlawed from several states.
It s felt by many that the censorship of music has gone on too far for the last couple of years. In this desensitized society, what once may have been seen as offensive may now be viewed as acceptable. While some censorship may be necessary and even good, too much censorship can lead to a younger generation feeling a need to rebel. 32 e
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Research essay sample on Marilyn Manson Wal Mart
