Eminem and the First Amendment
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The First Amendment states, "Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech" Music content is one of the many issues that puts the First Amendment of our Constitution to work. This paper will discuss the controversial medium of music, and in particular an artist that has created many heated arguments, Eminem.
Eminem's lyrics have epitomized what is at the heart of the debate over censorship. In 2000 2001, one of the leading minority groups that pushed for censoring Eminem's right to free speech was GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation). GLAAD claimed that his right to free speech should be abolished because it is "hate speech." "He has created an album in The Marshall Mathers LP that contains the most blatantly offensive, homophobic lyrics that GLAAD has seen in many years." They also stated that his lyrics intend to harm the gay community and its members. For example, "My words are like a dagger with a jagged edge/ that'll stab you in the head/ whether you're a fag or lez/ or homosex, hermaph or a transavest/ pants or dress hate fags the answers yes." ("Criminal" The Marshall Mathers LP)
Another advocate of censorship is Lynn Cheney, vice presidential wife and social critic. " So here's a name, Marshall Mathers, the rapper otherwise known as Eminem...