THE ROLE OF THE ARTS

The arts play a large role in the expression of inner thoughts and beauty in my life. From dance and music to abstract art, our concept of life is shown through the various ways in which we interpret it. We use the arts as a means of touching that part of us that we can not reach with physical science, social science and or any of the humanities. The arts allow us to be as specific or as abstract as we please. It helps us become closer to ourselves and to others around us. Though there has been a lot of confusion as to what the true definition or “good art” is, how we show others what is going on in our minds and inner souls can not be judged, graded, criticized or revised by anyone other than ourselves.

The arts play a valuable role in creating cultures and developing and documenting civilizations. The arts teach us how to communicate through creative expression, show us how to understand human experiences, past and present, and prepare us to adapt to and respect the ways others think, work and express themselves. Music, songs, dances, poetry and sketches are just a few of the different forms of art that I use to express myself in a way that I enjoy.

Because each art discipline appeals to different senses and expresses itself through different media, each adds a special richness to the learning environment. Arts help people learn to identify, appreciate, and participate in the traditional and non traditional art form of their own communities and the communities of others .Art teaches us how to be imaginative, creative and reflective. Different art forms help us develop the verbal and non verbal abilities necessary for lifelong learning. The intellectual demands of the arts help us develop problem solving abilities and such powerful thinking skills as analyzing and evaluating. Numerous studies point toward a consistent and positive comparison between concrete education in the arts and student achievement in other subjects. A programme in arts education would engage students in a process that helps them develop the self-esteem, self-discipline, cooperation and self-motivation necessary for success in life. Most importantly, the arts should be experienced and studied for their own true value.

If art was not present in my life, I know that I would be missing so much. I would not be able to do the things that I love to do each day. The only way to express yourself is through art, and the present of art in the lives of today’s society plays a big role. People listen to music every day, and they dance and sing. For many people art is a way of life, and without it they would be lost. Art is the only way to express one’s true feelings. Without art, the world would be a dull and sad place. People would not be able to communicate in the same senses that art allows them to. Art shows demonstrates individualism. Without art would not we all be the same?.

CENCORSHIP IN MUSIC

Censorship in music is a topic that has brought about much controversy in the past two decades. There have been many different argument on the topic, however the question still remains: should there be censorship in music?.

Before we can form an opinion on this, we should hear both sides of the argument on this much-debated topic. Some people believe that music should be censored so all audiences can hear it without being disturbed by any controversial lyrics. Others believe that it should not be censored and lyricist and singers should be able to speak, sing, rap or rhyme freely.
Bradley Steffens, in censorship, writes:

“Whether a person finds a work obscene depends largely on his or her moral or religious beliefs. These views changes with each generation and further complicate the censorship dilemma”

The quote above is very true. Religious or moral beliefs have a great influence on how a person feels about censorship, and as generations pass on the common beliefs on it may change.

Some people believe music should be censored. They believe that some of the words used in certain songs are vulgar, obscene and crude. They do not want these songs to be broadcast on radio and television as they do not want children to hear such foul language. Therefore, on radio and television, such language is either silenced, edited out or the artistes make a second ‘clean’ version of their songs for radio and television, acceptable to all audience.

On the other hand, many lyricist and singers feel that their rights are being violated when they are forced to change the words in their songs. Their defense is that children will ultimately get to hear (and use)foul language sooner or later: when they hear such language from their parents, siblings or peers. They also claim that these words convey their true feelings towards a subject (or object), and that it hurt their feelings when their songs are censored. These lyricist and singers feel that they are not given the freedom to express themselves.

Given the two sides and their arguments, what do I feel?. I feel that though these people have a case- that children will ultimately learn, and probably use, some foul language- that should not mean that we open the floodgates and allow indiscriminate use of vulgarity. In my opinion, lyricist can still use words that are suitable and strong enough to convey their feelings without resorting to indecency.

And so, I strongly believe that music should be censored.