Should Corporations be Forced to Stop Promoting Vulgar Music

Ok, so the fraternity that chanted racist lyrics got closed down. Since saying insensitive things can ruin a person's social life, is it not about time that we pressure corporations to stop sponsoring vulgar music, specifically the new-age rap garbage too? I grew up with rap but the rap lyrics are not at all constructive or socially conscious anymore (save for a few gems). Destructive lyrics are just as bad if not worse than racist chantings.

 

So I take it you are not a big fan of the First Amendment?

 

I'm a very big fan of it. But if fraternities can get shut down for being insensitive, destructive lyrics without any type of balance should also be looked at.

 

no, but there is a precedent for taxing the heck out of the product like we did cigarettes

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the fraternity shut themselves down, no gov entity did this, they were self policing their own

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Well the University of Oklahoma does receive state-funding. Public schools are forced to stop violating the establishment clause of the first amendment, why not the provision for free speech?

 

But who is shutting down the fraternities? Is it the government or is it a private institution? The First Amendment says that only the government cannot forbid free speech.

 

The private institution shut it down. Imo, they did so because of immediate and potential social repercussions.

 

I say, let them play what they want to on their speakers. If it is at a low level, it won't bother me. If that music is blaring, doesn't matter the type, I won't be able to handle it and therefore take my business some place else.

 

court rooms are gov financed too, do you support free speech there too?

when a witness is on the stand the peanut gallery can chant or do what they want.....

if they want to go to the school, they can't discriminate like that... simple as it's disruptive to the process of learning

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I'm not saying the university should have to allow the frat - I'm saying public funding should be abolished.

 

No they shouldn't be censored, taxed out of existence, or harassed by the government, unless they are targeting and selling to minors. Good luck proving and/or stopping that.

 

What private institution? The University of Oklahoma is a public institution, financed by state and federal tax dollars.

In all honesty, OU has committed a pretty big offense against the fraternity by censoring free speech and severing all ties with the fraternity. I'm sure they have contracts that must be honored, especially in regards to housing.

I would not be surprised if the fraternity sues the president of OU personally, the university, and the State of Oklahoma. They have a very strong case and could be entitled to millions in compensatory and punitive damages.

 

I was under the impression that the national chapter shut it down. I don't believe the government shut it down.

 

Of course they did, but that just proves that it is not a free speech issue, but is a free market issue. The college does not want to lose students (revenue) so it succumbs to public pressure. Now, if all the students at OU quit because of this, believe me, SAE would be readmitted in a heartbeat.

 

What lyrics are you speaking of?

Got a link to the lyrics which have offended you so terribly?

 

Do you think that the government should force OU to reinstate the fraternity, even if it may cause a loss of revenue for the university?

Considering that the national SAE fraternity "has started proceedings for all suspended members of the University of Oklahoma chapter to expel them from the national organization, which will revoke their membership permanently" (http://www.sae.net/oklahoma), I don't think the fraternity is going to be suing OU.

 

Absolutely YES! NO MORE COUNTRY WESTERN!!!!

 

Good point. If boys chanting racial lyrics is reason for suspension, shouldn't anyone singing rap songs that advocate killing whitey or raping and killing women also be a reason for suspension?

 

The first amendment limits government, not individuals or private institutions.

 

Yes they are.

So you support racism? They actually did nothing wrong.

They will for those that are not involved in the incident.

which would not only be a waste of time but would be more of an embarrassment those students. The national fraternity won't back them. My guess from what we have already seen discovery would be bad for these kids. That said, even government schools have control over what is appropriate on campus. Singing about lynching black people is not protected.

No they don't.

 

What a surprise, the Republicans are sticking up for the rights of white supremacists

 

While I am not a proponent of forced censorship, I think one always needs to exercise common sense. You have to ask yourself, is it ever appropriate for me to say potentially hateful things about someone (let alone record it)? Personally, I enjoy rap/hip hop. Do I realize its often trashy and degrading...yes. Its a guilty pleasure. While I realize that not all of it should be thrown under the bus (check out Lecrae, he's clean), I would never play it out loud around someone else until I know they are comfortable with it. That's just basic respect. So, personal note aside... A private entity can play what they want in their establishment, we as the consumer have the right to take our business elsewhere if we please. If enough do this then such a business should change their model. However, I could see the basis for a public entity (funded by the gov) being regulated by the FCC or similar guidelines for what is appropriate in terms of language and content. But again, it boils down to common sense and respect. If those trumped, we wouldn't have an issue.

 

Any person that sings, chants, or whatever in a school setting, including transportation, that glorifies hurting or killing others should be removed.

The first amendment doesn't cover threats though. A rapper is facing life in prison because his lyrics "go beyond the point of creative license and into the realm of conspiracy."

Rapper facing life for song lyrics

Here:

[video=youtube;dG-wq6SJqjU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG-wq6SJqjU[/video]

I am not at all offended. I know this is what these people are and there's no changing that. On the other side of things, I do care about my community, so I wish to stop what poisons it.

 

That guy is (*)(*)(*)(*)ing hilarious.

I laughed my ass off!