•●○♦× Éşśąÿ #1 “Ŧћє ©øłŏѓ оƒ ŧђе ẼxÞŗеѕіоŋ” »•●◙

•●○♦× Éşśąÿ #1 “Ŧћє ©øłŏѓ оƒ ŧђе ẼxÞŗеѕіоŋ” »•●◙

The cost of freedom of expression could result in a high price. This has been the case for many artists through out human history. There is a big controversy when people are questioned about themes such as censorship. There are tendencies that fight in pro and in con of the restriction. On one side is the group of people who strongly believe in the liberty of expression, and on the other hand, there is a conservative group that believes in the conventional and the unbreakable. There is another sector of our society that adds to these two groups and it is the direct or indirect affected by the censorship. Into this group we can mention the government, the media, the religious leaders and concerned citizens. The areas that have suffered by the censorship are varied. Music is an important concept in our life, and because it has become part method or via to express emotions, realities or ideas that for his content had been censored. There are many artists around the world who have been banned for expressing their sentiments and experiences.
Censorship does not recognize boundaries and it does not make any distinction by genre, sex, race, age or nationality. Recently, This was the case for one of the finest American singer-songwriter, Kris Kristofferson. Kris has suffered both media and marketing censorship. One case of censorship took place on March 3, 2008; his album criticized the US foreign policies in Central America and the war in Iraq. Kris was a part of the peace activist in 1980 during the inter conflicts in Nicaragua and El Salvador. He was able to see the abuse of the power by his own country and he started to write about it. As result many of his songs, videos and interviews were restricted by the authorities of the US. One of the most controversial songs is about the war in Iraq called “In the News” which made a calling to end the war. Then there is another song named “They Killed Him” in which he talks about Mahatma Ghandi and Martin Luther King. Both of these songs were censored by the government. Kris believed that basically, it was censored by the people who were directly affected economically. It does not make any sense because the government did not even let the go the product to the market; how did they know the reaction of the public. The government gave him the argument that there was not demand for that kind of product in the market which is totally ridiculous because he already knew the right reason. And it was because he was putting in evidences the atrocities by the administration. Since Kris started made critiques in his songs and interviews, his job became censored. He has suffered the censorship, but he continues saying that “He will not let fear color his songs.” This is a great example of self-determination and human sense. It is grate to know that exist people like Kris that advocated for those who does not have the opportunity to express the abuses what they were subject.
Kris Kristofferson is not the only artist that has suffered the restriction, Aziza Brahim, a singer and song-writer, has also experiment the censorship too. Aziza is an original resident of Western Sahara. On December 7, 2008, her album, “Tierra de Paz” (Land of peace) was censored by the Moroccan’s authorities because in her lyrics she critiques the abuse of the government system especially in the areas Aziza Brahim called “the occupied zone”. Her music is very simple and metaphoric, but has the particularity to express the sense of false liberty because their territories are occupied by foreign government. There is no justification for any government to occupy countries and commit atrocities with the residents. Since Aziza began singing, it has been a challenging life because she had to move to Algeria to be safe and continue doing what she loves, writing. Everyone has the right to express whatever they want even if they are offensive or being impolite for some groups.
The liberty to express our ideas could result in offense or discomfort to leaders, authorities or even the community. This has been the case of the popular American singer, Madonna. It took place in the US on November 22, 2006. It was as result of Madonna’s crucifixion scenes in her performances. There was a passage of Madonna’s presentation, “Confessions Concert” where she raises a replicate cross and dressed similar to Christ and wearing a crown of thorns. The scene caused great anger among to religious leaders in the USA who pressured NBC to censor the images arguing that the action was insulting and offensive. After the religious groups started demanding the scene crucifixion scene censured, many groups joined to protest for the same reason. The pressure was so much that NBC cut the scene. Similarly, many religious leaders from Italy, Russia and Holland did the same. Definitely, I believe the liberty of expression. It has demonstrated that the events that cause disgusting for some it not matter for others. It is very clear that we are human and only for this simple reason we are prone to grumble for any or even without reasons. This means that we complained for almost everything even if it is in benefit to our society.
In conclusion, even the censorship is a tough theme to discuss or controversy, it will be continue because it is part of human essence. I strongly believe in the free expression, but we must be conscious that our society is composing by different kinds of people. And we must know that all these people have different ideas and believes. For this reason we should express us but without offending. And if it happen we should know that we lived in a world where opinion vary crush and create this kind of controversy.