Reyna+L.+-+POSITION+PAPER


 * Should we listen to all Voices? **

Alternative artists are speaking out to an America that is learning how to listen. She had become arrogant and proud-- unwilling to listen to her own people-- but indie artists have reintroduced the freedom of expression through their release of music through the internet. Hibbett describes Independent artists as "not just as an aesthetic genre, but as a method of social differentiation", comparing the music to "high art" (Hibbett). Alternative musicians are using their voices to address problems that America has brushed to the side; in the past they have not been heard, but today they are using modern technology to express themselves directly to their listeners. America has long ignored the voices of the outspoken, of the challengers, and of the opinionated; a change was in store, an it was musicians who sparked the revolution. Many of the people who pride themselves on non-conformity through their emphasis on individual creativity and self-expression are alternative artists who "pride them selves" (Chai). We all have voices that deserve to be heard-- voices that could change the course of history. Alternative artists have teamed up with modern technology in order to promote self expression.

 America has prided it's self on freedom of expression since our first amendment rights were recognized. However, in reality, America has repressed it's people to a degree that seems unbelievable. Music-- a core method of self expression-- has been censored in recent years; alternative artists have been using modern technology to surpass obstacles such as limited play time on the radio or record labels-- all ways to keep certain music from being heard. Hall, a Lehigh student, states that "music provides a powerful form of expression that at its most basic level helps to entertain while containing the power to cause revolutions -- both cultural and political"(Hall). Music is a valuable tool that needs to be utilized, and indie musicians have used their resources to create a world where music is used to discuss problems in society, and where all of it can be heard without restriction.

 A world where music is controlled by the powerful is not out of the question, though indie artists have lessened the problem by a substantial amount. Before the combination of alternative musicians and modern technology revolutionized music sales, censorship was taking over the music industry in America and other countries alike. "In countries like Sudan, Afghanistan and China, violations of musician’s rights to freedom of expression are commonplace. In the USA and Algeria, lobbying groups have succeeded in keeping popular music off the concert stage, and out of the media and retail" ("Music Censorship"). Indie musicians have been able to secure our freedoms of speech and expression through their revolution.

 For decades upon decades America has ignored the voices of the common people, but this music revolution took place in recent years. In a society where repression was the norm, Alternative artists demanded that we the people be heard, and their revolution is the first step to a nation where everyone has a voice. With the rise of Indie musicians, America has begun to listen to the uprising of voices that come from her people. Though it is a slow process, we are on the right track; "Indie rock, like alternative music in the early '90s, is a vague term meant to characterize progressive" ("Indie Rock Goes"). And progress we have made. Censorship has greatly declined in recent years, mainly because of indie artists overcoming obstacles.

 The internet has broken barriers between musicians and consumers through online music distribution. By removing the step of record labels, alternative artists are able to send their music directly to their listeners with the click of a button, making their ideas more widely heard. A study declares that "the rise of online music sales has implications for a wide range of players, including artists, consumers, and the record industry" ("Online Music Distribution"). As artists are using technology to spread their ideas and beliefs in a widespread manner, average American citizens are beginning to believe that they too can make an impact. Media has allowed people to speak out in a way that has never been known before, and this revolution of music resulted in a greater protection of the freedoms of speech and expression.

 Freedom of expression is not a new controversy, but an age old issue. America has bragged about rights such as speech and expression for centuries, when in reality repression has been more common than expression. The constitution's first amendment can be interpreted in many ways, and "the U.S. Supreme Court has interpreted the First Amendment's protection of artistic expression very broadly. It extends not only to books, theatrical works, and paintings but also to posters, television, music videos, comic books, and many other venues" (Dority). This is one interpretation of our first amendment, though the document has been debated and discussed countless times in American history.

 Though we can look back through history to see that the freedom of expression has been protected as a natural right since the declaration of independence, America's commitment to the amendment has been tested time and time again.The American Civil Liberties Union states that"especially during times of national stress, like war abroad or social upheaval at home, people exercising their First Amendment rights have been censored, fined, and even jailed" ("Freedom of Expression"). Those with unpopular ideas have always suffered repression from the government, and minorities have been denied civil rights throughout history. America has neglected the peoples' right to expression in many cases for many reasons.

Freedom of expression during wartime has been a constant struggle in America. The government argues that individual freedom of expression can and should be limited when national security is in question. It was just in WII, hardly ancient history, when a person could be jailed simply for giving out anti-war leaflets ("Freedom of "Expression"). According to website //Freedom Daily//, "many citizens and politicians are seized with the idea that any disagreement with the war policies is a threat to national survival and must be suppressed at all costs. Opposition to or even indifference toward the war is equated with disloyalty" (Leef). There has always been dispute regarding how far the freedom of expression should extend, and wartime is one of the many areas that lands in the gray area.

We can see that freedom of expression is a problem that has surfaced time and time again, however expression through alternative music is an issue that is unique to the 21st century. Several forms of indie music can been seen in the mid to late 1900s, however what we consider today to be alternative music is a relatively new phenomena. The history of Indie music is difficult to identify, but blogger Alex Wynick states that "Indie was originally shortened from the word ‘independent’ in the 1950s and 60s. In a world where huge labels dominated the musical industry, stifling creativity and originality, independent music was a back-street rebellion. With a distinctly low-tech approach to every aspect of the music-making process – from recording to publicity – this ‘do-it-yourself’ movement symbolized a rebirth of popular music" (Wynick). Now more than ever we are seeing music be used as a simple means of self expression in our ever-changing world.

 There have been many cases that deal with self expression through music, and how far our rights should extend. It's a constant battle to balance individual rights while protecting society's rights. In the case Ward v. Rock, New York City "attempted to regulate the volume of the amplified musicat the band shell so performances would be satisfactory to the audience without intruding on those using the recreational area and people living nearby" ("Ward v. Rock"). We can see that "this case affirmed the validity of what are known as 'time, place, manner' restrictions on freedom of expression" ("Ward v. Rock"). This case is one of the many examples of government balancing individual rights to expression with the peoples' right to peace.

 I recommend that America listen to alternative artists instead of destroying some of the most innovative minds. Censorship should be stopped, and everyone should pay more attention to the music we hear today that deals with modern problems. Musicians have spoken out about the many problems that America is wrapped up in today: political, social, and economic. They show what the general public thinks about America, and many artists have even presented possible solutions. Musicians bring an insightful perspective to the table, and we should encourage them to share more ideas instead of preventing their music from being heard.

 Censorship takes a step backwards by giving people a limited view of the world they live in, and it could lead to even bigger problems in the future. PBS defines censorship as "the use of the state and other legal or official means to restrict speech" and they states that "censors try to use the power of the state to impose their view of what is truthful and appropriate" ("Definitions of Censorship"). This implies that censorship is a direct violation of our 1st amendment right to freedom of speech.The government decides that they can control this aspect of our lives, it would only a matter of time before we no longer live in a true democracy. Hall says that "the banning of music sets a dangerous precedent for the censorship of other forms of expression -- with dangerous consequences for a free society" (Hall). Censorship is a threat that creates many concerns; fortunately, musicians have revolutionized the way in which we perceive music, lessening this danger immensely.

 Since the dangers of censorship have been identified, it's easy to conclude that it must be stopped. With the threat of censorship in 2012 all but gone, the internet has allowed artists to put their music up to the public without extra complications. We all need to support the musicians who are brave enough to put their opinions about our world today on display for the public to see. Movements like SOPA are helping to ensure that artists will be free to express themselves through their music without restriction.

 One group who would object to my anti-censorship position is parents. Many are worried about their children, and rightly so; with plenty of nasty stuff circling the media every day, inappropriate lyrics are often a legitimate concern. The moms and dads of America are feeling like censoring music is the only way out. Author Jonah Goldberg argues that children should be protected—that “some things just deserve to be censored because they are evil” (Goldberg). Parents want the best for their kids, and this often results in sheltering their children from the perceived harshness of the world. Language is another barrier between childhood and adulthood, and many parents embrace this barrier by advocating censorship of the arts.

 However disheartening it may be, the truth of the matter is that putting a “parental advisory” sticker on a CD is not going to positively nor negatively affect the path that a child or teenager chooses. So many factors go into what kind of person a child becomes; music is a distraction (often positive) along the way, but rarely a guide. Any musician will tell you that music is an escape. It is a way to get away from the tragedies that life brings, never a way to create new ones. Many songs may have a word or two of profanity, though the song has a very good message. Kids begin swearing for many reasons-- often because of parents themselves-- but it is rarely from exposure to music. An article from //Science Online// states that "by the time kids go to school now, they're saying all the words that we try to protect them from on television," says Jay. "We find their swearing really takes off between (ages) three and four" (Psych Central News Editor). Music helps kids of all ages and backgrounds deal with the problems that they encounter in their day-to-day lives. Censoring music for a couple of words means that you're cutting off an essential and irreplaceable source of knowledge and wisdom that music provides. Music helps bring children though rough patches in their lives; it shows them the world that they live in, and that they too will shape one day.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> The government is pro-censorship in order to protect national security. In essence, they will do whatever is necessary to keep the people of America safe, including compromising individual rights such as freedom of speech and freedom of expression. The principle is that the rights of a large group override individual rights. According to CNN's Jack Cafferty, supporters say that "online piracy leads to job losses in the U.S. since content creators lose income" (Cafferty). The government does not want music to give the people new ideals, because they feel that certain ideas circulating could cause Americans to create problems. The government has decided that the easiest, if not the best way to keep Americans from stirring things up is prevent the spread of new ideas through censorship.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> The government claims to be protecting our “national security”—a term broad and elusive enough to minimize further questions from the average citizen. The truth is that the government doesn’t fear our security, but the flow of new ideas in our country that could result in Americans questioning the way the country is run. The consequences are many: a false sense of security, a limited view of the world, and restricted rights. By restricting rights though censorship, our democratic government acts like a dictatorship. Overall, the government’s real reason for supporting censorship is to stop the spread of fresh ideas—ideas that are not a danger, but a positive change for our country.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> The third group that would oppose my anti-censorship opinion is the radio stations. Stations that many know and love today, just as WNCI, are businesses, and businesses are here to make money. Radio stations often don’t play alternative music since it is unknown, and therefore risky. Radio stations are all but guaranteed to make money on established pop artists, so when an up-and-coming indie band wants play time, the known and loved singer is always the safer bet. "The radio industry is trying to grab the revenues before they disappear", and playing indie music isn't usually the way to do it (Grimshaw). Not playing alternative bands on the radio, even for financial reasons, is a form of censorship. In essence, radio stations oppose censorship because they often censor certain alternative music in order to increase profits.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> As a business, radio stations are nervous about testing the waters with alternative music. But the truth is that there are many successful stations that play a variety of music, including indie, and even stations that are very successful through playing only alternative music! CD101 plays alternative music only, and they are one of the most loved stations in Columbus. CD101 says that "We became focused, figured out who we wanted to be, and by 1993, we started to take off" (CD101). This proves that stations who play music that may not be considered popular can stay in business. I think that radio stations should make a conscious effort to include a wider variety of music instead of excluding an entire genre purely because it’s not a sure shot at a hit single.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> People throughout history have been repressed; voices have been silenced, and music banned. But in their revolution, Alternative artists of the 21st century have proven that freedom of expression is more than a privilege. It is a right. Censorship has been an issue in our society that we have addressed time and time again; should a song with a good message be censored in order to keep people from hearing swear words that have been ingrained in many vocabularies already? The answer is no. Censorship is a direct violation of our first amendment rights to the freedom of speech and the freedom of expression. We can choose the music that we want to listen to, just as we can choose what to have for dinner. Not every song should be regarded as great literature and art, but we should give each artist equal opportunity by making their music accessible. Radio stations and music stores have no right to censor music. Alternative artists are speaking out against repression, and working every day to ensure that each and every American has a voice that is heard. It's time to speak out against government censorship, giving artists the opportunities to express themselves. Voltaire stated that "we have a natural right to make use of our pens as of our tongue, at our peril, risk and hazard", and this is the way that it should stay. For better or for worse, America should never ignore the principles on which it was founded in the first place.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 18.6667px;">Annotated Bibliography: **

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Cafferty, Jack. "Should the U.S. government censor the Internet?" CNN. N.p.,

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2012. <[]>.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This is a secondary source from CNN, which is a reliable news source. It was written by Jack Cafferty, an online reporter for CNN. This web article showed me the Government's argument as to why censorship can be a beneficial and positive practice. It gave rationale about protecting children from vulgar language, which helped me write my opposition paragraphs.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Chai, Harris Rusdi. "The Indie Culture in Singapore." YouthSCOPE. National Youth

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Council, n.d. Web. 4 Apr. 2012. <[]>.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This Web article is a secondary source written by Harris Rusdi Chai, a Bachelor of Social Sciences <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">. I found this secondary source article on YouthSCOPE. The article talks about indie culture, which helps me to understand values such as independence and self expression that influence young alternative musicians.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">"Definitions of Censorship." PBS. N.p., n.d., Web. 18 Apr. 2012.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> <[]>.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">I found this secondary web article on PBS, a pre-approved website that provided reliable information about censorship in the media today. The article gave basic explanations of censorship, which helped me write memo 4 because I could define words like "censorship" to make sure that the reader has a full understanding of the vocabulary that I wished to use.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Dority, Barbara. "Artistic Repression in America." The Humanist. N.p., May-June

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> 1999. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. <[]>.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This secondary web article was originally published in The Humanist, a political magazine, by author Barbara Dority. The magazine is credible, and I found the article very helpful in my research. It is about artistic repression in the U.S., which helps me learn about the history of self expression in America, and it’s influence in American culture today.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">"Freedom of Expression." American Civil Liberties Union. N.p., 1 Oct. 2005. Web.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> 10 Apr. 2012. <[]>.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This web article is a secondary source from the American Civil Liberties Union, an online collection of articles that deal with American civil rights. The article gives information about times in history when civil liberties have been compromised. I used the information to prove that America has not always protected the freedom of expression.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Goldberg, Jonah. "Censorship." National Review. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2012.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> <[]>.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">I found this opinion article by columnist and author Jonah Goldberg. It’s from The National Inquirer's online database, which is a newspaper. The article is a secondary source, and it helped me get another point of view on the issue of music censorship by giving modern examples and cases to examine.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Grimshaw, Colin. "Magic of the airwaves Radio's onward march." Marketing. 21 Apr. 2004:

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> 45. eLibrary. Web. 30 Apr. 2012.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This is a secondary source written by writer Colin Grimshaw. I found it on eLibrary’s online database, but it was originally published in a magazine titles Marketing. The web article talks about the various ways that current radio stations are able to make money, specifically about the advertizing aspect of the business.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Hibbett, Ryan. "What Is Indie Rock?" Popular Music and Society. 01 Feb. 2005.eLibrary. <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Web. 04 Apr. 2012.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This Web article is a secondary source written by Ryan Hibbett, an English major and writer. The article was found on eLibrary’s online database. The article gives information about "indie" music and culture, providing the background on alternative musicians and modern artists. Specifically, it helped me define Indie Rock, and what it means today.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">"Indie Rock Goes Mainstream... Almost." TODAYmusic. Associated Press, n.d. Web.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> 9 Apr. 2012. <[]>.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This is a secondary article I found on the school-approved Associated Press' online database, TODAYmusic. The article talks about how the recent success of many indie rock bands has increased the popularity of the genre. It also talks about the effects of this music on American people, specifically teenagers, which helps me to judge impact of the revolution in our modern society.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Leef, George C. "Wartime Attacks on Civil Liberties." Freedom Daily. N.p., n.d.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Web. 10 Apr. 2012. <[]>

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This is a secondary web article from a web site called Freedom Daily. It was written by Dr. George C. Leef, J.D. from Duke University Law School. The article talks about civil rights during wartime. I used the information in order find times in history when freedom of expression has been limited.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">"Music Censorship." Free Muse. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2012.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> <[]>.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This is a secondary web article that has no author. It focuses on music censorship. The article is from Free Muse, a reliable ".org" website that deals with the freedom of musical expression. The article helped me talk about what censorship is, and why it is a threat in America today.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">"Online Music Distribution."OECD. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2012.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> <[]>.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This is a report conducted my OECD with no author. The website has a ".org", which is an indicator of credibility. The report deals with the recent rise of online music sales, which helps me talk about how media both aids and hinders freedom of speech and freedom of expression.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Psych Central News Editor. "Kids Learning to Swear Earlier." Live Science. N.p., <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2012. <[]>

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">I found this secondary source from a website called Science Online. The web article helped me write memo 5 to show that kids begin cursing at a young age and not because of exposure to profanity in music.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">"Ward v. Rock."CQ Press Supreme Court Collection. CQ Researcher, n.d. Web. 11.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Apr. 2012 <[]>

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This is a secondary source about the Ward v. Rock supreme court case. I found this court case from CQ researcher, a pre-approved LC database, in the CQ Press Supreme Court Collection. The article gives me information about Ward v. Rock, a case that deals with first amendment rights and music, which I needed to cite for historical background on the issue.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Wynick, Alex. "The History of Indie Music." Nothing but Hope and Passion.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> N.p., 19 Sept. 2011. Web. 11 Apr. 2012. <[]>.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This is a blog written by Alex Wynick that attempts to define what independent music is. The website isn't necessarily reliable, since it's merely an opinion-based blog, however it is very current and only one person's definition of the genre. I wanted to see the varying definitions that people provided, so an opinion source was appropriate in this case.