Artists, Please Apologize for Being Artists. Thank You.

Can you imagine if an artist like Marilyn Manson or Eminem came on the news for everyone to see and just apologized for any offensive lyric they had ever written. Imagine if they sat there, in front of the camera, with millions watching, and they just started listing off the different lyrics they were apologizing for. Not only would the news broadcast be VERY long, but it would be ridiculous. What are they apologizing for? Being talented? Being creative? They aren't hurting anybody, so what is with the apology? It would just be silly.

Does a writer have a moral responsibility? No. Does creativity have specific guidelines? It shouldn’t. What would Picasso have done if he was told that his paintings could only be of a natural portrait style rather than any abstract art? The expression of art would be extinguished and art would lose its meaning.

What would a moral responsibility entail? Singing only about positive and happy topics? Things that build the listener up? Enforcing peace and love throughout their lyrics? Keeping everything G-rated?

What an awful thing it would be to be an artist! Who wants to sing about happiness and ponies and butterflies all the time? That’s not expression. That’s denial; denial of the world we live in. Obviously life is not about being happy all of the time. It is the sad and trying moments that show us what true happiness is all about. This concept reminds me of the book by Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451. In this odd little world, everyone is taught to think in a positive and all around happy way all of the time. Intellect and emotion are not encouraged.

If an artist had a moral responsibility, would there be less corruption? Less teen suicide, or teen sex? Less lives completely devoured by sex, alcohol, and drugs? It is possible that youth may have better examples set for them in the celebrity spotlight, however, the responsibility lies in the hands of others. *Drumroll please!* THE PARENTS!!!

I feel as though I will probably be sounding redundant now, as my last blog was focused on the responsibility of the parents regarding what kind of music is heard in the home. However, seeing as it is something that I feel is important, I will not be shy. :) What are the parents doing nowadays? They are blaming music companies for allowing their artists for being so raunchy and graphic. When in reality, it's a freedom that artists are allowed to have. This goes back to the record companies properly labeling the music and the parents being properly aware of what kind of music is present in the home. Artists like Eminem or Marilyn Manson would not be artists; at least, they would not be well-known artists. There is just so much talent that would be stifled because sensitive people would be offended. If they cannot handle it or they don't like it, there is a simple solution: Don't listen to it.