by Morrigana Shalafae

Created on: June 15, 2008

There is no other answer than the negative to this question. With a loud shout, and the strength of my convictions, I absolutely say no.

First of all, music is an artform. Art is meant to be expressive, and to allow for someone to appreciate it, to be drawn into the subject, to be told a story, to be moved by it, to have it leave an impression left upon them, to be pleased by it. Art is even meant to shock, to expose something dark to the world. Music has all the same attributes, and all the same varagies of style and interpretation. To try to hamper music would be hampering the creative spirit of the song writer.

Music is an intrinsic part of the human condition. It is a part of who and what we are, and will always be a part of us. There are no caste lines with music; the elite enjoy it as much as the huddled masses. It can never be supressed, and will always burst forth from our spirits.

Then, of course, there is the question of whose morality would be enforced? Should the music industry harken back to yesteryear, and music must conform to Victorian England's codes? Perhaps all music should uphold the glory of the Chinese Communist Party. Or, music could return to the European Dark Ages, and it will be full of hymns and hallelujahs, all in praise of the Christian god. We could tell the industry to listen to Swedish Death metal, and all songs must be about Satan, and encourage its listeners to burn churches and overthrow Christianity.

Music only has as much sway over us as we allow it. It's the same for anything else. If you choose to let a newscaster form your opinion, that is your own choice. There is nothing truly insidious in music. People will always find a way to behave how they want, regardless of what they listen to. The kind of child who would kill himself because of Ozzy Osborne lyrics was going to find a reason to do it anyway. Perhaps he would find something particularly moving about a tv show, or a book, or a pastor's sermon, or a sunset. Just because someone famous says something does not mean that one has to do it.

Morality is a tanlged web all by itself, without trying to force it upon others. There is no morality that encompasses the entire world, and it is ludicrous to think so. Instead, people should make their own choices, and take responsability for their own actions. Do not listen to something if you do not like. Don't let your children listen to it if you do not want them to hear the kinds of messages in certain types of music. The moment we ask some faceless power to make our decisions for us, we cease being human.

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