Module 1

Tipper Gore led the way in the mid-1980s to put warning labels on explicit music being sold in record stores.  Some in the music industry felt that she was promoting censorship, however, her agenda was to give parents the choice to screen music in the same way movies are screened using the rating system.  Executives from the major recording labels agreed that they would comply and put warning labels on explicit records.  On January 4, 1988, three years after her initial campaign for labels on records, the New York Times published a follow-up article entitled "Tipper Gore Widens War on Rock" where she wants to expand the rating system.  With MTV being popular with music videos, she expressed views on explaining ratings to music videos and on videocassettes.  She even went as far as to say that explicit videos should only be played during evening hours when children would not be exposed to them.  Some in the industry felt that her involvement was a political agenda for her husband rather than for the good of children.

An interesting article in Uptown Magazine which was published on February 6, 2014, speaks of the effect of the mainstream music culture on morality.  Often times when listening to a song, we don't fully listen to the lyrics.  We may also see the violence or immoral behavior as being something of a different world.  The article brings to light many instances of how today's mainstream music speaks of things that people have fought hard to overcome.  We are innately influenced by what we hear.  The article stresses the importance of understanding right from wrong and that we, as a people, need to make better choices so that we have a future of business-minded people and not sub-standard citizens.

While both of these articles come from different times, they are both very similar to Plato's thoughts regarding music and morality.  Music is a very big part of our lives, especially in this day and age.  In Plato's time, he was advocating for the inclusion of the arts for all people.  He also made a point to say that music can and will affect people in positive and negative ways.  He felt it was important to essentially censor what people were exposed to in order to provide a positive experience.  In a way, Tipper Gore was advocating this with her plan.  While not as extreme as Plato's point of view, both articles share similar beliefs with Plato that music can, and will, influence people.  While all agree that music is a very important aspect of life, it is important that we realize the difference between right and wrong and choose a positive influence to be exposed to.  Music has the power to influence, but it is a matter of people taking the responsibility to do produce and expose it in a way that will make us better people.

http://www.nytimes.com/1988/01/04/arts/tipper-gore-widens-war-on-rock.html

http://uptownmagazine.com/2014/02/mainstream-music-culture-affecting-morality-system/