Rap Music Is Appropriate for Children and Teens

1. Rap music contains offensive lyrics that children might repeat. a) Not all rap music contains "inappropriate" language. There are several rap artists who choose to specifically avoid using profanity, including Will Smith. Moreover, "clean" versions of just about every rap song exist, where profanities are censored out in favor of more family-friendly vernacular. Con's first argument does not pertain to those records, meaning it cannot apply in negation of the resolution. b) Rap music is far from being the only genre which uses profanity or adult themes. For instance, one of rock legends' Ac/Dc's most famous songs is called Big Balls [1]. Sometimes songs are less subtle but still have mature themes. Lady Gaga's chart topping pop song "Poker Face" is a song about being able to keep a poker face on so that she can be with a man, but fantasize about a woman [2]. In other words, there are questionable lyrics and themes across ALL music genres, so it's unfair and non-sensical to single out rap specifically. Even country songs curse [3]. If you say rap is inappropriate because of the language and content they use, then this must extend across all genres. c) Con hasn't explained why being exposed to profanity is inappropriate. She hints that it's only not okay if the teenager repeats it. However, she makes no mention of being exposed to profanity elsewhere (say in the home) or specifically explain why this is an inherently bad thing. Also, I'd argue that not everyone is a parrot. In listening to rap music I hear "the N word" a lot, but that doesn't mean I go around repeating it in my everyday life. A parent could easily teach their child that the words they're hearing are not appropriate everyday language. 2. Rap music has sexist, abusive and aggressive themes. It promotes teenage pregnancy and dropping out of school. a) Extend my previous arguments as they are applicable to this contention as well. Rap music is not the only genre with negative themes, so it should not be singled out. Further this does not encompass all rap music, and you cannot uphold the resolution via mass generalization. Some rap songs positively emphasize the opposite. For example, Lauryn Hill is a rap artist whose music is known to inspire and empower women [4]. b) Also on this point, exposure to these themes is not necessarily inappropriate. These are the facts of life. In fact many people are exposed to certain themes early on, and rap music is art that helps express and reflect on their experience. Some songs such as "Hip Hop Saved My Life" suggest rap music helped profusely as an outlet and potential escape [5]. c) Con hasn't proven that it's rap music specifically which has led to the statics she described. For instance, 750K teenagers got pregnant "suddenly" in a year, but keep in mind that MTV's reality show "16 and Pregnant" debuted the same year. Teen star Jamie Lynn Spears got pregnant around the same time. In other words, there are a plethora of potential reasons for increase in the trend of teen pregnancy. Con randomly attributes the cause to rap music, which is irresponsible and unsupported. 3. Rappers promote drug use/abuse. a) Many of the same arguments from above apply. I'd also like to note that rappers are entertainers and do not necessarily live the lifestyle they rap about. Eminem for instance talks about killing people in many of his songs [6], yet if those lyrics were remotely true he would have been in jail a long time ago. Likewise, actors who kill in the moves do not necessarily exemplify the traits they personify on screen for entertainment value. Con doesn't mention that celebrities of every kind are not always the perfect role models. Also, many Catholic priests have been known to molest young children [7]. Would Con suggest that religion is therefore inappropriate for children because some people associated with religion specifically have not always made the right choices? As I said, parents are responsible for raising their children - not the entertainment industry. And people are responsible for their own choices. Anything could be an influence/catalyst propelling one to make bad choices. It would be wrong to single out rap music and ignore all of the potential good. 4. Rap music encourages people to drop out of school. a) While it's true many rap songs contain "rags-to-riches" stories, Con is mistaken in that rappers typically glorify this lifestyle and those circumstances. For example, the Notorious BIG's song where he talks about dropping out of school and the subsequent situation thereafter is called "Everyday Struggle" not "Everyday Awesome." Not only is Con's accusation completely subjective (many rappers specifically encourage staying in school - 8), but even the interpretation of the same song can be subjective. For instance, while Con considers those lyrics to be glorifying a life on the streets, I have always thought the complete opposite and took it as a reinforcement to be thankful for how lucky I am to NOT be in that situation. I see them talking about that lifestyle as something unfortunate and to be avoided. Can con provide evidence of rappers promoting contrary? In conclusion, censorship is generally inappropriate for all ages. Some rap songs contain violent, misogynistic, homophobic and overall negative themes that are not necessarily ones we want children exposed to. However, they're going to be exposed to it at some point or another, and it makes no sense to single rap music out specifically as the culprit; the bearer of bad news in a world with cable tv, the internet and more. Perhaps this exposure can help parents talk to their kids and have important conversations, such as not taking everything they see on television, in movies or hear on the ratio to heart. Children need to understand that in regards to ALL aspects of entertainment - not just music. We don't want kids thinking it's okay to play with real AK47s just because shooting people on Call of Duty is fun. Rap is an art form, and all art can be used for positive means. Children should not be prohibited from experiencing such an important aspect of culture - especially if it is pertinent to their own. To "rap" merely means to speak in a rhythmic tone over music, and said style can be used to depict a variety of themes including very positive ones. Music has been known to positively influence people in many ways, including rap. We can not single out and focus specifically and only on the bad. I'll leave it at that for now... Back to you, Con, and thanks for this debate. [1] http://www.lyricsdomain.com... [2] http://www.examiner.com... [3] http://www.lyricsfreak.com... [4] http://www.softcup.com... [5] http://en.wikipedia.org... [6] http://www.azlyrics.com... [7] http://en.wikipedia.org... [8] http://www.rapbasement.com...