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Ask And You Shall Receive: Sharpton Goes After Abusive Music

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posted on Apr, 13 2007 @ 08:33 AM
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Originally posted by thisguyrighthere
Im curious to see if Sharptons crusade is met with applause while when Reagan and Bush Sr. tried to impose standards on the music industry the whole nation was up in arms crying "censorship! censorship


um, the main face of the PMRC, the music ratings battle etc was none other than Tipper Gore, wife of then senator and Democrat (not republican) Al Gore.

Ron and George Sr. were not trying to impose standards.



posted on Apr, 13 2007 @ 09:19 AM
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I do think if children listen to angry, aggressive, hateful music all the time and they don't have the proper grounding and influence outside of that, you are going to run into problems.

This goes for any music however, not just wrap. Before there was rap the focus was on the death metal or whatever, and I think when you force feed negative things to children, without other positive outlets it's going to have an affect on who they are, how they act, and who they become.

Japan has a lot of violence, but they have the family structure in place to counter the ill effects of this. American, UK, and Canadian kids do not seem to have the exact same family structure in place to counteract the negative effects. We have family structures, but what we have in place does not seem to work as well as it does in some other societies for counteracting the negative effects of something like negative lyrics.

I think people should not wait for Al Sharpton to do something. It has to begin with the rest of society. The music is being made however because people are becoming rich off the music, I don't just mean the artists, I mean the industries that pay the artist to say bad things. Do you think if the people behind the artists were not making the money we would be hearing the songs as plentiful?

This corruption of youth via violent games, music, movies, is profitable for someone or else we would not see it. If moral values became profitable tomorrow, that is what we would see, instead we have none positive role models across the stage and that is what is sold and forced down the throat of children. This also goes for the Paris Hilton's, and the others as well. I think a lot of rap music is bad, but having young woman how have lyrics that and videos that disrespect themselves does not help the generation either.

I think an overall movement to clean this stuff up would be great, but not realist. Until this sort of stuff becomes none profitable for these people, then a change will not happen. Also parents are just really permissive on what they let their kids watch, listen to and do, it's all part of the same gig. If parents all across the board were truly monitoring some of the things their kids were being exposed to and taking action, and boycotting, then there would be less trouble, but they don't and they look to others to tell them what to think, feel, and how to raise their kids.



posted on Apr, 13 2007 @ 09:23 AM
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I seem to have heard this before...let's just say I'll believe it when I see it. Rev. Sharpton, I hope, needs to back good words with good actions.



posted on Apr, 13 2007 @ 09:25 AM
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Nothing is going to come out of this, the music industry makes too much money on this type of lyrics because otherwise the singers are no good enough with out it.

The reason they sell so much is because the language they used.



posted on Apr, 13 2007 @ 09:52 AM
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You mean...(gasp)...that most hip hop artists (artist?) can't sing? I'm shocked to find that out. Really...just shocked.

If anything positive comes out of this...let's just say I'll be...well...shocked. It's time for the music industry to put it's money where its mouth is. They preach tolerance, yet sing about anything but...ooops I said sing didn't I, I meant rap.

I know that some of them can sing...however most couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. Being a fourty something limegreen my exposure to hip hop is thankfully limited, far too much of the subject matter is foul and lyricised just as foully. Not all of it is, but far too much of it is.



posted on Apr, 13 2007 @ 10:21 AM
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Originally posted by semperfortis
One needs to be very careful in support of what Sharpton, and others, as well as those calling for him to take a stance against any kind of music or talk radio.

1st Amendment people....

We start losing freedoms people, where will it stop?

I respect the 1st Amendment, but where do we draw the line? Our Constitution should not be used to support vulgarity on our airwaves, for even our children to "enjoy".

Your opinion is more than valid, but we have all but "lost" a generation here, and don't forget the ugly political talk radio...this stuff is so hateful that it may be motivation for a whole slew of hate speech and racial/partisan crimes. I think this is a good "wake up call" for America. Things have been allowed to get out of hand, and the FCC is not doing its job.



posted on Apr, 13 2007 @ 10:29 AM
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Originally posted by seagull
You mean...(gasp)...that most hip hop artists (artist?) can't sing? I'm shocked to find that out. Really...just shocked.


I am just straight forward, I just like the music my son listen too he likes hard rock, I can not understand a single word they sing (or I may say scream)


I like hip hop and I am in my forties, no all of it but some . . . the oldies and 80s are the ones I collect, plus my Spanish ones from the 70s.


Like I said if is not for the type of language some of this rappers use they would not sell anything base on their "musical gift alone"



posted on Apr, 13 2007 @ 10:46 AM
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Originally posted by xpert11
What a load of rubbish no one is forced to buy rap music or chose song lyrics as there moral values system. I have played most of the Grand Theft Auto games and yet I don't embark on crime sprees.

Expert, I see your point, but I believe our society has an obligation to protect minors from unhealthy influences.

If you show a child porn pictures, that's child abuse, so what's different about that exposing children to "snuff" games and nasty lyrics in songs? The ratings system has not been effective, so it's time to try something else.

Let's visualize that you are having a picnic in your backyard, and everyone is there...3 or 4 generations of your family. Then comes along your neighbor who BLASTS his music...and it's offensive, vulgar, just a barrage of really nasty words...tell me, how do you feel about that?

Can we fight for his right to play it? Or can we have laws in place to protect people from vulgar and profane music?

Why not treat music like pornography? For private consumption, but once it's shared with those unwilling, it's prosecutable. I like that very much.

As a matter of fact, I hate guys who just BLAST their nasty music from their car, and just park on the street under my window...I just want to throw something at 'em!



posted on Apr, 13 2007 @ 11:10 AM
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Having lived through the Tawana Brawley debacle in NYC when Al cut his protesting teeth, I have had little respect for the man. However, whatever his motives today, I am all for his attempt to clean up radio.
When the founding fathers iadded the bill of rights to our constitution, it was to protect political discourse. It said nothing about making ad hominem attacks or even worse, calling people bitches, hos, faggots, niggas, etc...This kind of abusive speech is analogous to pornography in the television world. If you want to watch/listen to it in the privacy of your home or on your ipod or buy a ticket to listen to it in a closed venue, fine. It should be regulated on the public airwaves as the negative aspects of it outweigh the fredom of speech. We already prohibit people from yelling "fire" in a crowded movie theatre; this is no different. Hate speech is prohibited in Canada and the UK; there is no lack of political discourse there, so in my opinion the ubiquitous first-amendment excuses ring false.
Just my opinion, thanks for reading.



posted on Apr, 13 2007 @ 12:17 PM
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Originally posted by j_kalin
Having lived through the Tawana Brawley debacle in NYC when Al cut his protesting teeth, I have had little respect for the man.

Rev. Sharpton did not "cut his protesting teeth" with Tawana. He began his activism in 1969. It just so happens that he believed Tawana; maybe he made a mistake in taking her word, who knows? He was charged with libel in that case and he paid his dues.

Here is a link with more info, some good, some bad...but he definitely puts himself "out there"...

en.wikipedia.org...



...so in my opinion the ubiquitous first-amendment excuses ring false.
Just my opinion, thanks for reading.

I agree...my Mother used to warn me not to "fight for the right to be wrong"! lol!



posted on Apr, 13 2007 @ 02:25 PM
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Originally posted by CSIfan
The CEO and President, Zach Horowitz, is probably the place to start (this guy should have to answer for all that nasty music)...


This is the height of unaccountability, IMO. Why not hold the actual "artists" responsible for the words they write and sing??? Zach Horowitz isn't writing or singing that "nasty music"...

That's like going after the gun companies instead of the gang members who actually commit the crimes...



I HOPE REV. AL GOES AFTER THEM WITH VIGOR...Rev. I am cheering you on! I will support the BOYCOTT.


Good luck with that... As has been stated, Sharpton's been spewing that particular lip service for years now. It's only when it's a white guy that he actually does something about it.

Sharpton Disses Rap Against Women - Sept 10, 2003
Sharpton's Crusade to Wean Young People from Rap/Gangsta - Dec 3, 2003
Sharpton has a Plan to buy Stock and get on the FCC Board- Mar 22, 2005
Sharpton Jockying for Media Attention - March 23, 2005



posted on Apr, 13 2007 @ 03:02 PM
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Originally posted by FlyersFan
AWESOME!!
This is EXACTLY what I was wanting to hear. I had very high hopes that after IMUS got in trouble for what he did, that everyone would look to the other garbage that is being rhythmically pounded into the heads of youth and young Americans. FANTASTIC. YES. And i am going to go so far as to say it has EVIL backing it. It is distructive. It is mndless anger. It ruins lives. It is evil.

Thank you.

I was so happy to see that the abusive lyrics of today's music, Rap included, were going to be addressed by somebody, anybody! But, not happy to see those lyrics used as an excuse to deflect blame for comments made by Imus in his TV broadcast.



posted on Apr, 13 2007 @ 03:15 PM
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Originally posted by CSIfan
I was so happy to see that the abusive lyrics of today's music, Rap included, were going to be addressed by somebody, anybody!


But they're not! You're ignoring the fact that your original story is a year old! There's nothing out there that indicate that Sharpton or anyone is going after "today's music".



Give us a current link that supports your allegation. This is an old story!



posted on Apr, 13 2007 @ 03:16 PM
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Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
This is the height of unaccountability, IMO. Why not hold the actual "artists" responsible for the words they write and sing??? Zach Horowitz isn't writing or singing that "nasty music"... That's like going after the gun companies instead of the gang members who actually commit the crimes...

If a company repairman comes out and fixes your fridge, and it blows up next week, do you sue the company repairman, or the company who sent him...the company who certified that he was capable? I know you want to put the blame on the artists...badly...but, the Parent Company is responsible for what they put their name on, and what they approve as "consumable" as their product/brand.



Good luck with that... As has been stated, Sharpton's been spewing that particular lip service for years now. It's only when it's a white guy that he actually does something about it.

OMG! What's the fixation with the "white guy" stuff? We're talking about music that is offensive and disrespectful here, and hopefully, a campaign to correct the problem.



posted on Apr, 13 2007 @ 03:26 PM
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Originally posted by CSIfan
If a company repairman comes out and fixes your fridge, and it blows up next week, do you sue the company repairman, or the company who sent him


Totally different scenario. A repairman has nothing to do with the manufacture of the frig. If I were the suing kind (which I'm not) I would sue whoever designed and built the frig.

These rappers are writing and producing the music. The words are coming from their heads and mouths. They're not "repairing" the music. They're MAKING it.

I'm only focused on the white guy thing because it's so crystal clear to me that the same offense made by a white man and a black man is treated so differently.

P.S. Do you have that source that supports the title of your thread?

[edit on 13-4-2007 by Benevolent Heretic]



posted on Apr, 13 2007 @ 03:45 PM
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CSIfan,

You probably know this, but no one wants to blame the people who are TRULY responsible for this recent downward spiral of rap music. You saw it yourself here.

See, the artists who actually talk about REAL stuff are not promoted like the boo boo rappers. Which is why you don't see Mos Def and Common, for example, getting the INSANE coverage that rappers like Rich Boy and Huey are now getting.

It's like the torture thing in Iraq. Everyone wanted to burn the torturers, and rightly so. But, FEW people called for action against Bush and the torture memo architect Gonzales. Same thing here. Everyone wants to burn the artists, but no one wants to hold the execs and CEOs accountable for promoting the sound-like-everybody-else rappers.

THEY are the main reason rap is what it is now. I can remember the days when rap struck FEAR in the hearts of many. That was when it meant something, when it was the voice of people saying "we're tired of this spit!! We've had enough of our treatment in this country!" The REAL rap made those fools piss their pants, so they sought to corrupt rap, leading to much of what we see today.

Remember, Public Enemy was under Fed surveillance for a minute. THEY were what rap was supposed to be all about.

Fight the Power.



posted on Apr, 13 2007 @ 03:46 PM
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double post

[edit on 13-4-2007 by CSIfan]



posted on Apr, 13 2007 @ 03:59 PM
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Originally posted by CSIfan
The big shots--who stand to lose lots of money through litigation--will hurry up and straighten up, or suffer the consequences.


I agree that if someone is going after the industry, the top dogs should be held accountable also. I'm just saying that if you're going after rap lyrics, the rappers themselves, the manufacturers of the lyrics, need to fit in there somewhere, too. They seem to be getting a free ride here.



Here's a 2007 link and story:


They're marching to protest Tony Yayo backhanding a 14-year-old girl. Nothing about rap lyrics.

Source



Al Sharpton, the Hip Hop Summit Action Network’s Russell Simmons and Dr. Benjamin Chavis, and other community and religious leaders are planning a march to protest the alleged actions of G-Unit rapper Tony Yayo.

Billed as a “call to action and public grievance,” the rally is planned for Monday as a response to the artist’s alleged assault on the 14-year-old son of hip hop rival Jimmy "Henchman" Rosemond, head of Czar Entertainment.



posted on Apr, 13 2007 @ 04:25 PM
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But they're not! You're ignoring the fact that your original story is a year old! There's nothing out there that indicate that Sharpton or anyone is going after "today's music". Give us a current link that supports your allegation. This is an old story!


Okay, and by the way, Sharpton is always going after Rap and it's performers...I think this time he will go after its sponsors...

We all know that that's the real ticket! The big shots--who stand to lose lots of money through litigation--will hurry up and straighten up, or suffer the consequences.

Here's a 2007 link and story:


The truth is, Al Sharpton and other black leaders and artists have addressed the issue of hard-core rap. Last month Sharpton helped organize a public protest against rapper Tony Yayo, a 50 Cent protégé accused of assaulting a teenager.

The problem: It seems that when black America protests the violence and misogyny in hip-hop, white America and the big media are not listening, which is ironic because white Americans are rap’s No. 1 customers.


www.kansascity.com...

[edit on 13-4-2007 by CSIfan]



posted on Apr, 13 2007 @ 04:39 PM
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Originally posted by truthseeka
You probably know this, but no one wants to blame the people who are TRULY responsible for this recent downward spiral of rap music. You saw it yourself here.

See, the artists who actually talk about REAL stuff are not promoted like the boo boo rappers. Which is why you don't see Mos Def and Common, for example, getting the INSANE coverage that rappers like Rich Boy and Huey are now getting.


Yes, Truth, I know the game...but the bad guys have perfected the game for thousands of years. Denial and deflection is all part of their game. We saw it during the Imus fiasco!

MSM knows how far to go with Rap though, who to lay blame on, and who to ridicule...they would never do anything to offend the Horowitz's of the world! Big Business would crush them in a minute. Maybe that's why Rap has not been fixed?

By the way, I love Mos Def!




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