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In more conservative times in America there were numerous songs about killing police officers. None of which were considered immoral, but when a rap is titled “Cop Killer” it is considered highly immoral and dangerous for kids to hear, even though it is about police brutality (Hamm 42). A few songs that have not been censored, but should be considered as “inappropriate” topics are I Shot The Sheriff- Bob Marley; killing a police officer, Copperhead Road- Steve Earle; growing marijuana and fighting the Drug Enforcement Agency, and Helena- The Misfits; bondage and mutilation. If it was never a problem before why make it one now?   Due to the fact of “Musically Induced Crime” and censorship, parents need to make their own decisions about the music their children listen to and not let the Parent’s Music Resource Center (PMRC) make the decisions for them.

            Musically induce crime is a made up motive that the PMRC uses to have reason for crimes. Crimes that otherwise would not have a motive. For instance in 1996 three fans of the heavy metal band Slayer, murdered a girl from their school. One of the murderers, Joseph Fiorella states, “the fact is Slayer’s music did not have anything to do with the murder. The police went into my house and saw Slayer posters and records and they made up the motive that this was a devil thing. They don’t have a motive so they make one up” (Weiner). Jacob Delashmutt says, “The music had zero influence on me going out and killing some one. There was nothing ritualistic or satanic about it. Those allegations were put together by lawyers to make money” (Weiner). So if lawyers did not want to lose credibility for not being able to find a motive, they made one up. Fiorella also stated “it is all bulls--. We weren’t into devil worship. We never had no satanic bible. The idea of stabbing her didn’t come from the music. There was no ritual sacrifice, no altar, no candles, and no chanting. We never listened to the lyrics before and decide to go do something because of them,” (Weiner). So you may be asking yourself “ If the violent music didn’t cause the murder what did?” Well, it was drugs. Joseph Fiorella and Jacob Delashmutt both acknowledge that drugs played a major role in their decision to kill Elyse Pahler. Both deny the heavy metal tie in (Weiner). Music did not cause the death drugs did, but that would not have made a good story for the jury. When questioned about the murders and how he felt about them Tom Araya, bassist and vocalist for Slayer he told press, “ What they are doing is denying the notion of individual responsibility for conduct. We totally understand the tragedy of the situation and sympathize, but we don’t understand why or how we can be held responsible for someone else’s actions, especially ones we never would have intended,” (Weiner). So, both the artist and the criminals both deny the tie in, yet the parents of Elyse still push for the censorship of music. As Fiorella and Delashmutt both stated, it was all made up! “Musically Induced Crime” is just a made up load of junk that the PMRC uses to give crimes that lack motives, a motive.

            In a world where music and other forms of media are used to convey how the world is doing and what is happening, is it smart to censor all the bad stuff?  Even though it is really happening? The act of censorship is against the First Amendment. What threatens the First Amendment more than any isolated instance of censorship is the unifying factor of all censorship companies is the presumption that “bad speech” causes “bad behavior” and that the government officials have the right to distinguish between good and bad speech (Taylor 36). An interesting fact about the main censoring company, the PMRC, they have most frequently censored rap and rock albums, rarely country, opera, and comedy. All of which at one time or another have had a controversial song (American). Music is not the only form of media used as a scapegoat for crime. The number one cited book for inspiration for crime is…The Holy Bible (American). And yet this book has yet to be censored. Imagine in the future if censorship is not stopped, you reading the bible and David never slew Goliath or Jesus was never crucified, all of which was left out because it was deemed to violent for children. The beast of censorship must be stopped as well as the people behind it. The individuals that are for censorship are trying to impose their morals and standards upon the rest of the population, which as said before would imperil the First Amendment (American). Another problem with censorship is keeping artists from expressing them selves and making a living like a productive citizen. The PMRC tries to label songs with lyrics relating to sexuality, violence, drugs, alcohol, suicide, or the occult. Therefore restricting sales for record companies and artists alike (American). Which prevents them from making a living and supporting themselves. With albums labeled as “unfit” many major chain stores refuse to sell them, making it hard for fans to buy the albums (American). John Logan once said, “ Labeling doesn’t help parents or children. All it means is someone thinks the lyrics are not for children. IT’S UP TO THE PARENTS!” (American). So if censorship threatens the First Amendment and may affect the way talented people make a living, is it really worth it?

            Because of the PMRC, “Musically Induced Crime.” and censorship something must be done. An unknown author once said the main thing that needs to be done about “Musically Induced Crime”, “ I still believe that individuals, not the music bear responsibility for violence,” (Free 80). There is another man who agrees with this his name is John Logan, and he said, “ Musicians should not be held responsible for the action of an unstable person,” (American), for example a time when music was blamed for the actions of two unstable teens, Columbine shooting. Marilyn Manson is a shock-rock heavy-metal artist. His music is usually about death and other things that the PMRC loathes. Due to the fact that he chooses to use the shock appeal to his music he was blamed for the shootings. The PMRC and others said his music was too violent and had “brainwashed” the two teens. Even though there has never been a link made between anti-social behavior and exposure to any form of artistic expression,  (American). To get rid of the PMRC here is what needs to be done. Parents need to listen to the music their children listen to and they need to stop letting the PMRC make decisions for them. What are the advantages to this plan you may ask? Well the main thing is it keeps the parents informed about what’s going on in the world that their children are growing up in, and the parents may even like the music, which can help bring families together. As soon as parents start making their own decisions about the music their children listen to then the PMRC will no longer have an audience to preach too, therefore making them obsolete. So parents, listen to the music your children are listening to, and make your own decisions.           

            So now you are aware of the fact “Musically Induced Crime” is a made up term that the PMRC and lawyers use to censor and give crimes motives, and that censorship is threatening to your own freedom of speech I hope you fell the same way I do. The only way to fight the beast of censorship is to ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS! Parents need to listen to the music their kids are listening to so they can make their own decisions. They also need to stop letting the PMRC make decisions for them, shortly after we should see a decline in PMRC members, causing them to become non-existent. Parents, listen to the music your kids are listening to and make your own decisions.