Second Response from Kiley

Cameron- You've done a relly great job with your blog. The information that you have found is really good, and I like how you added your opinion to your conclusion. I also think that it's good that you have found different opinions for this very controversial topic. I look forward to your presentation in class.
~Kiley~

Post to Cameron from Chloe

Hi Cameron!
Your blog is fantastic. You did an excellent job forming a thesis that was manageable, yet extremely informative. You used a lot of informative sources that allowed you to form your own opinions and come to a conclusion. I like how you integrated other people's opinions into your posts. I think this allowed you to explore a much broader point of view. I have no suggestions for you--it looks like you already implemented the changes that others suggested.

This was a very interesting topic. I think that a person's general lifestyle and point of view can affect how they interpret violent music. I wouldn't say that I listen to heavy metal. But, out of the most violent music that I have and listen to, I don't even pay attention to lyrics. It's all about the actual music. I think interpretation and intention are big factors of how violent music affects teens.

Again, fantastic job!
Chloe

Comment by Erin

Hey Cameron,
I think that you did a nice job on your blog and I hope you found the answer that you were looking for. You are right to say that it all depends on the person listening to the music. It effects some, but no where close to all. I listen to violent music a lot of the time, usually without realizing it. It doesn't really both me and I rarely notice. You should be happy for what you accomplished and I'm glad you found what you wanted.
~Erin

I Added to My Conlusion

I fixed the spelling errors, and added my own opinion to my conlcusion. Thanks for the suggestions.

Ben

Cameron, this was a very interesting blog. I thought it was interesting how you found articles and information supporting both sides. Also, it was very interesting how an individual's home life could affect the way they interpret the lyrics. I just wanted to tell you that there was a few spelling mistakes. In the last paragraph, some words are missing a few letters. There is one last thing. I wanted to know how you feel about this topic. Do you believe that the lyrics could effect the behavior of somebody?

Sara's Response

Hey Cameron,
You have a very interesting topic. One thing that I would like to see is how you feel about violence in music. You did a great job of mentioning how the people in your articles felt and responded, but I think it's important to mention how you view your topic. Do you think that anything should be done about this? Is it alright to let wealthy, strong kids listen to rap music, but not okay if you live in an underprivileged area with an overworked parent? You did a great job getting the facts down, though. Some of your statistics were really interesting.
Nice Work!
~Sara

Good Job!

My little sister listens to some of the most violent, mean spirited music and she is such a little b****. I blame it on the music she listens to, personally, and your reasearch has deepened my belief in that. You have done a fantastic job, and it's very interesting.



-Brittany

SWEET

I find this a very interesting topic. This is something that I have never thought about. I listen to a lot of different kinds of music. I can't say that I listen to it a lot but I do listen to a lot of different kinds, I may listen to a hour of music a day. In the music that does have violence it does not affect me, I am always like its just a song. Just because I listen to a bad song doesn't mean I am gonna do any of the bad things. If some people do that I kind of find that werid, but I guess some people do. Again very interesting topic.


MICHAEL

Conclusion

When researching my topic, I found many articles, books, and other resources that provided much information directly related to my thesis question, and that gave me the answers I was looking for. One of the best things about my topic is that I was able to find both sides of the issue. I found information that took a negative tone towards violent lyrics, and other sources that defended violence in music. I gathered enough information to answer my thesis question, and represent both sides of the issue.
Many sources indicated that there is a strong and definite link between aggression, violence, and other problems in today's youth and the violent music that we listen to. Some of the main negative influences noted by my sources included: increased chemical dependence, violence, stealing, sexual activity, increasing discomfort in family situations, a preference for friends over family, and poor academic performance. Some sources noted that studies and surveys supported this information. Much of the influence came from the amount of music kids listen to. One source reported that on average, a child listens to 4-6 hours of music. This shows why it is one of the most powerful and influential types of media. There was also information that defended violent lyrics. The main supporters being the artists and fans themselves. They explained that violence is represented in music because it is part of reality and that artist’s real life. One supporter claimed that "Rap music is sick because America is sick."
I also discovered exactly who was affected. The information I gathered explained that people living in a stable and "normal" environment who don't already have violent thoughts or behavior can listen to violent music and interpret it as entertainment only, and not have any serious negative consequences. On the other hand, people who live in an unstable environment with violent behavior, and that don't value or acknowledge their life can be strongly influenced by the violent lyrics, and add to their troubled behavior, actions, thoughts, and mental instability.

In my opinion, I do know that certain people can be negatively affected by violent lyrics, but not everybody. I already explained who is affected, and I don't think that we can say that violent music is bad or evil from examples involving specific individuals. I can find as many, if not more people, who listen to violent music, and show no signs of negative influence; myself being one of them. Also, I believe that it is NOT the responsibility of the artist or record labels to "sugar-coat" and tone down their lyrics to please the public in fear of being in legal situations involving their music. I think that freedom of speech is artist’s greatest defense against people trying to censor their music on explicit albums. It is the parents’ responsibility to decide what their kids listen to, and the blame can not be place on the artists themselves. Finally, I don't think that artists should be seen as evil or morally unethical based only on what appears in their music. I was able to answer my thesis question, and give insight on all opinions, sides, and elements of my topic.

Violence In the Media

I recently found infromation on violence in rap music and its affect on America's youth. The book is called Violence In the Media, and has a section devoted entirely to violence in music, both negative and positive view points. The specific article in the book is called "Heavy Metal Rock and Gangsta Rap Music Promote Violence," by Barbara Hattemer and Rober Showers.
In one part, the authors comment on the amount of music kids listen too in comparison to TV and other activities. The author states that kids watch a little over three hours a day of TV, and listen to music a surprsingly high four to six hours a day. This was hard to believe at first, but then I began to think how much I listen to music, and is seemed more realistic. It's amazing that kids find that much time in their daily schedule to listen to music that long. This again proves that music is one of the most popular and influencial types of entertainment for Ameria's youth. The article goes on to say that: "Although the effects of the lyrics are virtually untested, teenagers have more sustained contact with heavy metal music than they have with either pornography or horror films." It continues with: "Dr. Paul King found it to be correlated with increased chemical dependence, violence, stealing, and sexual acrivity. Reflecting hedonism (pleasure-seeking) and irresponsibility, rock music is symbolic of the clash of values between parents and their children. Described as "primitive" and inciting "baser passions", it reflects youth "at odds with adult society." (according to Larson and Robert Kubey)
This article provided many facts to support the claim that violent music promotes violence and other issues in America's youth, and gave some new insight on the topic of my blog.

Mrs. Jewitt

Cameron - I'm checking for new posts - I appreciate your thoughtful approach to your research - keep posting and deepening your search - and, excellent comments on your peers' blogs - Mrs. J.

Hearing on Violent Rap Music

199Taken from: "Hearing Focuses on Language and Violence in Rap Music".
By Jeff Leeds
Last week, the purveyors of rap music cheered as new CDs from Kanye West and 50 Cent burst onto the top of the Billboard chart. But on Tuesday, rap artists and entertainment executives found themselves fending off Congressional criticism that they exploit violence and sexism for profit.
In a hearing convened by Representative Bobby L. Rush, Democrat of Illinois, lawmakers asked music industry executives about their companies’ role in the production of explicit rap, at one point inviting them to read aloud from 50 Cent’s lyrics. The lawmakers also asked whether marketers were doing enough to shield young listeners from graphic content.
“This hearing is not anti-hip-hop,” said Mr. Rush, a former Black Panther who several years ago fought a challenge from a then little-known Barack Obama to hold on to his House seat. Still, he said, violence and degradation have “reduced too many of our youngsters to automatons, those who don’t recognize life, those who don’t value life.”
Mr. Rush, echoing comments of others on the panel, praised freedom of expression but asked the chief executives of two music companies whether they would consider a ban on certain words considered derogatory.
“We don’t think that banning expression is an appropriate approach,” said Edgar Bronfman Jr., chairman of the Warner Music Group. Tasteless language, he added, “is in the eye of the beholder.”
Under questioning, Mr. Bronfman and Doug Morris, chairman of the Universal Music Group, stood by the industry’s existing method of handling explicit content, including the voluntary labeling of graphic CDs with parental-advisory stickers. Though they defended the industry’s practices, Mr. Bronfman and Mr. Morris lamented that efforts to restrict young listeners’ access to explicit music had become futile amid the proliferation of copyrighted songs and videos online.
The hearing, before a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee, reflected the continuing debate that has swept the rap world since CBS fired Don Imus, the radio host, for making derogatory comments about the Rutgers women’s basketball team. Mr. Imus’s ouster prompted discussions about performers’ use of misogynous or violent language in songs and music videos.
All of that culminated in the hearing on Tuesday. It touched just lightly on the Imus case, in which a white radio host insulted black women. Instead, the spotlight fell on a panel of white executives defending music principally recorded by black men, and in some instances considered offensive to women. The focus was not only on record labels. Also questioned were executives from Viacom, the parent of MTV and BET; Radio One; and the video-game maker Take-Two Interactive Software.
At least one performer at the hearing told lawmakers that rap music had been unfairly singled out as a scapegoat for deeper social problems. “Gang violence was here before rap music,” said David Banner, a rapper who records for Universal Music and whose real name is Levell Crump. “I can admit that there are some problems in hip-hop, but it is only a reflection of what is taking place in our society. Hip-hop is sick because America is sick.”
A different note was sounded by Master P, previously a dominant force in rap, who has recently struggled to find a hit. Master P, whose real name is Percy Miller, said rap artists needed to consider how fans might be affected by their music. While societal woes contribute to violence and other problems, he said, “we are inflaming this problem by not being responsible.” He said he had devoted himself to producing cleaner music with positive messages.
Mr. Miller also apologized to “all the women out there,” and added, “I was honestly wrong.”

This article from the New York Times newspaper covers a 2007 hearing focused on violence in rap music. Two artists directily invovled in the hearing were David Banner (Levell Crump) and Master P (Percy Miller). Each rap artist had a different opinion on the subject, and both spoke out durring the hearing before a group of law makers.
The approach from the Bobby L. Rush (Democrat of Illinois) was both clear and fair to the artists, and rap music in general. He stated that through this hearing, his intention is not to create an "anti-hip-hop" movement, or to ban freedom of expression in music explained Edgar Bronfman. Bronfman added "Tastseless language is in the eye of the beholder."Banning freedom of expression in music would go against what makes America a free country. I think that this is a very fair statement for rap and the artists involved, and is an approch that could to lead to a legitimate compramise. Although they supported freedom of expression, and the production of hip-hop, they still had concerns. They explained that violence and degration have “reduced too many of our youngsters to automatons, those who don’t recognize life, those who don’t value life.” This statement supports my thesis about who is effected : people who don't recognize and value life, and those who have a troubled or unstable life.
Both artist made very strong points aswell. They both addressed the issue at hand, but in very different ways. David Banner's approch was very defendant of rap music and its lyrics, while Master P took a more subtle and apologetic approch. David Banner addresed the issue by stating that “Gang violence was here before rap music." He goes on to say, “I can admit that there are some problems in hip-hop, but it is only a reflection of what is taking place in our society. Hip-hop is sick because America is sick.” This is one of the strongest and realistic quotes that I have found that convinceingly defends violent rap music, and offers the facts to back his statement up. Banner explains that gang violence, and violence in general, has been around way before rap music began, and that violence is found in music because it reflects real life. Many artists reflect their personal life and experiences through their music, and with some, violence is just part of their life.
Master P's response was almost the opposite of Banner's, he talked with an apologetic tone, and spoke against violence in rap. He stated that violent rap is inflaming the problems in today's youth, and explained that he has devoted himself to making cleaner music. This is a mature and responsible approch to the issue, but would seem that it is sacraficing his freedom of expression, and his true feelings (explicit or not). I think it is an interesting movement that has never been strongly proposed before. He ended by apologizing to people that he may have offended or degraded by stating "all the women out there, I was honestly wrong."
This hearing exposed some of raps violent elements, and expressed opinions from both view points. Many sides were represented, and some compromises were proposed as well. I think this hearing is one of many future hearings involving explicit lyrics and the artists/record labels involved.

Mrs. Jewitt

Cameron - I'm impressed with your research, your reactions to what you have posted, and with your overall blog. Your peers have given you excellent feedback as well - Keep finding info, posting, and reacting to, assimilating, and processing the material that you find.

"Cause and Violent Effect: Media and Our Youth" (part 2)

Taken from: "Cause and Violent Effect: Media and Our Youth".
By Barbara Hattemer

In 1989, the American Medical Association concluded that music is an even greater influence on teens than television. This is because they have more exposure to heavy metal music than to either pornography or horror films. MTV has introduced a whole generation of children to songs that glorify pleasure seeking and irresponsibility. Its videos contain thirteen violent acts per hour, and four out of five of them mix violence with sex.
Rock stars are always available to young people starving for attention and understanding. They offer children unqualified acceptance. They appear to meet their needs and understand their chaotic emotions better than their parents. Prolonged listening to hard-rock music correlates with many negatives, from the mildly troubling to the very serious: increasing discomfort in family situations, a preference for friends over family, poor academic performance, increased chemical dependency, violence, stealing, and sexual activity. It makes disturbed adolescents feel powerful and in charge.
There is a strong relationship between antisocial or destructive behavior and listening to rock music with destructive themes. The preference for heavy metal music among juvenile delinquents is almost three times as high as among the general population of high schoolers. This music is filling our children's heads with rebellion, raw sex, violence, and a hatred and abuse of women of a degree never seen before.
Research has found that the best defense against the media is a strong family that makes an effort to impart values and gives children clear boundaries. Youths from families with well-defined value systems use them to interpret what they observe. Teenagers from homes in which family members communicate openly and engage in an active viewing style, discussing programs with their children, are less influenced by what they see.

This excerpt explores the link between behavior in adolescents and the type of muic they listen to. In this section, the author begins by talking about the popularity of music. It has more influence and affect on people becauses it is used constatnly, and exposed to adolscents and teens all time. This is true for my poll aswell, so far, listening to music is the leading activity with 100% of the votes. The author foucuses specifically on rock music and heavy metal. She states that "prolonged" listening to music with distructive themes lead to negative behvior and other lifestyle changes such as: increasing discomfort in family situations, a preference for friends over family, poor academic performance, increased chemical dependancy, violence, stealing, and sexual activiy. Although this may be true in some cases, this is not true for all listeners. As my first post on this article explained, pepole in different situations react differently to violence and other themes in music.
One statistic I found intersting was the one involving juvenile delinquents. It stated: "The preference for heavy metal music among juvenile delinquents is almost three times as high as among the general population of high schoolers." This is strong evidence for people who believe that this type of music is negatively affecting our youth, and makes a strong point about the influence of rock and heavy metal on adolescents and teens.

"Cause and Violent Effect: Media on Our Youth"

Taken from "Cause and Violent Effect: Media and Our Youth".
By Barbara Hattemer

Not everyone reacts the same way to violence. Poorly nurtured children with few inner strengths and without internalized boundaries are more susceptible to its influence than well-nurtured children who have received a strong value system from their parents. Children who are undersupplied with parental love are often angry and chaotic inside. They are drawn to violent films, heavy metal music, and gangster rap because it reflects their inner turmoil. It both reinforces and offers approval for their negative attitudes. The combination of being undersupplied with parental nurture and overstimulated by violent media can be deadly.

In this article, the author explores the affects and infuence on all elements of media including sex, drugs, violence, etc. This one paragaph stood out to me the most. This answers part of my thesis question very well, and gives insight on what kind of people are affected. I agree strongly with the author's statement. People who are absent of boundries/limits that comes from parenting, who are involved in a chaotic or troubled environment, or are generally mentally unstable are drawn to the violent elements in entertainment. Therefore, they are much more suseptible to the media's influence than those who are generally mentally stable, and have a "normal" life and upbringing. Finally, I think that mentally stable people whith strong morals living a "normal" life can enjoy this type of media that includes violence and other themes because they can interpert it as entertainment only, and not always as an example or influence to embrace or follow.

New I-search Topic

After more reasearch and some careful thinking, I have decided to narrow my thesis question to music only. I decided that I rather go in depth in one type of entertainment, than skim the surface on all four. I think that this decision will lead to a more informative and successful blog. Also, like Arielle said, music seems to be the most influencing and possibly "brain-washing" media compared to movies, TV, or games. In my blog, I plan to obviolously talk about violence in music in all genres, and also talk in depth about specific artists that have taken heat from critics, and why. I've already made the changes to my title and description, and plan to quickly switch my focus to music. Don't forget to vote on my poll.

Response from Kiley

Cameron- You topic is really fascinating, and I think that this will be a really good influence on all of us, hearing what you say in the end. I agree with Arielle in the fact that music is definitly the most brain-washing form of entertainment, and it is definitly a really good way to look into your topic. I also fully agree that focusing on teenagers is a really good way to go. I think this will definitly be useful for me, as my brother loves really violent video-games and television. Make sure you put lots of facts and statistics on you blog, so that everyone gets the whole picture. This will be a really informative topic in the end, and I think that it will be really interesting.
Keep up the great work,
~Kiley~

The Thesis

This topic is a very popular one. There are many statistics that relate to your thesis so there is no shortage on information you can get. I think that you started out strong and have narrowed your thesis to a very do able one. What is interesting is that your topic in some way relates to mine with the media and how it works for its audience. Keep talking about music too, because video games have a lot of violence, but music can be a real brain-washer to youth. Go into movies, magazines, and any other version of media that effects us. Look at a lot of statistics for teenages for the most part because the media definetly tries to reach out to our age group the most.

Music

Music plays a large part in a teenagers life, and is a world wide media that is used constantly. Music, compared to movies, TV, and games, is the only media that relies completely on the person's sense of sound. It has no visual interaction (except in music videos), and opens his/hers mind to that artists life, views, and feelings. Music includes an extremely large variety of genres and artists which leads to different moods, opinions, topics, and stories.
Music contains many elements that give artists their unique style and musical personality, some of which are negatively criticized by conservative individuals. One of the main issues is violence. Many artist in various genres used violent lyrics and stories that come directly from their own life, used to prove a point, or included as entertainment.
Of the many genres, rock and rap seem to be the two that are singled out when it comes to violent lyrics. One source if found titled "Diagnosing the Cultural Virus" in the World and I data base had a very slanted negative opion on violence in music. The source described how music (especially rock and rap) is definitely linked to violence and agression in teenagers, and has been proven through studies multiple times. The article goes on to say that destructive and negative themes in songs put those thoughts into peoples heads, and therefore leads them to perfom the acts described. Late in the article, the author states that rock and rap music promotes and encourages violence. I think that this is a very stereotypical statement. Although this may be true in some cases, many times the violence described comes from the artists own life, and is used to prove a point or reveal the reality of the world today.
There are many artists who have been singled out as violent and offensive. In this source, the author focusec specifically on Marilyn Manson and N.W.A founder, Ice Cube. The source states that Manson is described by the music press as an "ultra-violent satanic rock monstrosity", and also stated that one reviewer (unknown) called Ice Cubes platinum album Death Certificate an "excersise in rap brutality."
One of the main elements in the artists defense (in my opinion) is the freedom of speech. They have every right to sing about whatever is important to them (violent or not), and express that to the public. They are not the ones to be held responsible. The warning labels on explicit CD's let the consumer know what he or she is paying for, and rap and rock artists alike should not have the responsibilty of "watering-down" their lyrics to please critics and the general public. Along with Manson and Ice Cube, many other artists have been singled out aswell including Eminem, Ozzie Osbourne, Ice-T, and more.

Introduction

I want to start by laying out the main targets and issues of violence in earch category of media. I plan to outline the main shows, artits, movies, and games that have been especially critized for violent content, and the specific reasons for that critisism.

My I-Search Topic

My i-search topic is violence in American Entertainment. My thesis question is: does violence in music, movies, TV, and videogames negatively influence america's youth? If this is true, I also want to find out who it affects, and specifically how it influences them. In terms of an age range, I want to focus specifically on teenagers for my blog. I decided on this topic because i enjoy the activities that i'm focusing on, the research would relate to my personal life, and music, movies, TV, and videogames is an ever evolving, and ever popular source of entertainment.
In terms of research, I think that I should be able to find plenty of infromation on my topic, and I'm sure that therer will be many statistics from tests and surveys over the last few years relating to violecnce in media. Also, I can speak and comment on this topic form my own experice as well. I enjoy many of the shows, artist, movies, and games that have gotten negative critism because of the violence element, and I plan to voice my own opioion on the subject.
Finally, I hope to express both sides of the argument for violence in media, and to give people an insight on why violence can be both a good, bad, and nuetral influence in our life.