Artist's Opinion example essay topic

English 101 Should Artists Be Banned from Expressing Their Opinions? Alexander Berkman said, "The cure for evil and disorder is more liberty, not suppression". We are guaranteed in the First Amendment of the Constitution the right to free speech. Just because an artist's opinion may offend some, it is still their opinion and that opinion is guaranteed in the Bill of Rights to be heard, if so desired. People view artists as role models, and feel they should play the part of an altruistic figure.

Being famous doesn't make you invincible, as we all know. Everyone can do wrong, everyone can make mistakes, and everyone feels differently about all kinds of issues. Not everyone has to agree with an opinion for it to be played. Thats the beauty of America. We are able to think for ourselves. It is true that artists have always had a strong influence over people.

Music is something you can't ignore, and it plays a special part in everyone's life. People have grown to respect, idolize and take pride in the artists and bands they love so much. Take the Beatles for instance. Girls all over the globe became starstruck and obsessed with this band.

No one opposed them however, because they had lyrics such as, "Yeah you got something, I'll think you " ll understand when I tell you, I wanna hold your hand". There is nothing "offensive" and therefore, nothing controversial about it. Another harmless band of the '90's for example, is the Backstreet Boys. Their lyrics don't touch upon issues of debate, therefore, nothing they had to say was ever questioned. These types of bands make it easy for the government, because they don't stress violence, insinuate causing riots, or express any opinion at all that could be sought as destructive.

Although many people loved and respected these bands, many didn't. It's what appeals to an individual, not the masses. In the past decade there has been a surge in banned songs from artists such as Marilyn Manson, Eminem, and Rage Against the Machine. People tend to fear the abnormal, which is what artists like Manson bring to the table.

His lyrics such as, "Multiply your death, divide by sex, add up the violence and what do you get? We are all just stars and we " re waiting, we " re all just scars and we " re hating, we are all just stars on your burning flag", can be quite controversial, but they are just expressing his opinion. No one is forcing anyone to agree with it. No one is forced to listen to it. The people that do like that music, that do find truth in the meaning, shouldn't be punished for listening to it and should not have the option of listening to it, because some found it offensive and was therefore banned. I may not agree with everything an artist has to say, but I feel everyone has a right to be heard.

I feel that people should not place such importance on the role model aspect of an artist, because that is not their job. Its up to the parents to be good role models for their children and let them make up their own mind upon what is right and what is wrong. I think people need a scapegoat to blame societies problems upon, instead of looking in the mirror. Artists such as Manson and Eminem are the ones they look to, to place the blame upon. I believe that all people can think for themselves, regardless of what they listen to on the radio, what they hear on TV, and all other influences the media produces. I feel that people can't take responsibility for their own actions, and they feel the need to place the blame elsewhere.

Artists should be no exception to the First Amendment rights. They have a right to express themselves and they have a right to be heard. Its up to the people to decide if they agree or disagree, if they like the music or if they don't. The choice is left up to you, and you can choose to listen or you can choose to turn off that dial.