Topeka — The Legislature could make an unusual statement about popular culture this year and criticize gangsta rap for profanity-laced language and what critics consider messages that demean women and promote violence.
Rep. Peggy Mast, an Emporia Republican, plans to introduce a resolution condemning gangsta rap after legislators begin their annual session Monday. She's doing so at the urging of Sonny Scroggins, a Topeka activist who has long liked rap - he names 50 Cent as a favorite - but is tired of the language rappers use.
While gangsta rap has been a target of criticism for years, a legislative resolution condemning it is unusual, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. In Kansas, resolutions typically are reserved for honoring people or notable achievements, expressing the Legislature's position on federal issues or urging specific actions by an executive branch agency.
"It's just that we can send a message that this is not something that Kansas approves of or welcomes," Mast said during a recent interview.
Jonathan Lamy, a spokesman for the recording industry group, said it has heard of only one other legislative condemnation of gangsta rap, in Connecticut. One of that state's U.S. senators, Joe Lieberman, has been an outspoken critic of some popular culture for years.
Also, last year, a congressional committee had a hearing in which gangsta rap was criticized.
Lamy noted that the industry began labeling music in 1985 so that parents and other consumers would know what contains explicit lyrics or content not suitable for children. The labeling program started in response to complaints about rock lyrics.
"The First Amendment tells lawmakers that they may lot limit speech merely because they find it objectionable," Lamy said.
Comments
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tanzer (anonymous) says…
So what? Kansas government doesn't like gangsta rap - that isn't who the recording artists are selling to anyway.
dminear60 (anonymous) says…
If most people knew just how silly and useless some of the resolutions are that are read in both houses of the legislature they would have a fit. What a fine waste of the Legislatures time and resources.
dminear60 (anonymous) says…
scenebooster:
Laughable but oh so typical of Kansas Republican politics.
moo (anonymous) says…
The job of the government is to maintain roads, not dictate morality. Ugh. Waste of time and money.
fu7il3 (anonymous) says…
The government condemning something can only make it more popular.
BrianR (anonymous) says…
So I guess now wouldn't be a good time to propose a bill making Baby Got Back the state song?
Seems that Peggy is completely incapable of implementing positive change or understanding the unique character of her community.
Wilbur_Nether (anonymous) says…
Rep. Mast is a very nice woman, and has a strong character. She is hardly the smartest woman I have ever met. I have not spoken with her in several years; I doubt she has listened to all that much gangsta rap, though. Even if she has, were I to see her today I would tell her I prefer our legislature spend its time on higher-impact activities.
Hmmm. Not a bad idea. I feel a letter to my legislators coming on....
Wilbur_Nether (anonymous) says…
You should ask that question of their constituents. If Kansans want more reasonable representation in our legislature, we have to elect them. From ALL districts. We have no one to blame but ourselves.
Rabbitgoesthump (anonymous) says…
I do not like gangsta rap at all, I think it is deemening and offensive and really annoying, and for that reason, I just dont listen to it....
But for some reason other people happen to enjoy it and thats there choice...
Honestly as much as I would like rap to just dissapeare its not fair to ban just one type of music, because a few people dont like it...
and if she thinks doing this will make all the black people move out of kansas, shes wrong, to do that you would have to stop offering welfare, then they will leave...
But dont go after the music...
Wilbur_Nether (anonymous) says…
Wow, Rabbitgoesthump. Could you possibly have made a more racist post?
MaryKatesPillStash (anonymous) says…
Rabbitgoesthump, before you make generalizations about individuals on welfare (and what a broad, outdated word you use), perhaps you should know that most people on welfare are white.
http://www.huppi.com/kangaroo/L-welfa...
Wilbur_Nether (anonymous) says…
I don't think "individuals on welfare" is the group that Rabbitgoesthump was generalizing about.
dminear60 (anonymous) says…
Rabbitgoesthump: It is a bad assumption on your part that only black people listen to rap. You know what happens when you assume...it makes an ass out you and me.
tolawdjk (anonymous) says…
I've got to admit Rabbit, that has got to be the most stereotypical, racist comment I have read in here for years.
Agnostick (anonymous) says…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9bS1d...
Made_in_China (Paul R. Getto) says…
How about a resolution against gangster politicians? This would, of course, include both parties.
kristyj (anonymous) says…
maybe it's just me, but kansas doesn't strike me as the gangsta rap target market, so why bother with this? purely my own opinion, but it seems to me that a lot of the themes & words they're complaining about are just as prevalent in country music.
hawklet21 (anonymous) says…
Right on, kristyj. I mean, doesn't Carrie Underwood's song "Before He Cheats" promote vandalism? Let's ban that too!
If parents want to censor their own children's music choices, while I don't agree with it, is perfectly fine. But if you don't like it, just don't listen! It is really that simple!
Agnostick (anonymous) says…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GovJ4j...
The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…
You all are way off on this one. The gang leaders in Compton have their fingers on the pulse of Kansas politics. They'll do whatever the state legislature says.
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Rabbitthump - White teenagers are the largest chunk of folks that buy rap music. The next time at a Klan rally, ask your associates to go see what their kids are listening too.
Confrontation (anonymous) says…
At least gangsta rap has a good beat. Country music has nothing.
bd (anonymous) says…
sorry, gangsta crap is not music!
Valkyrie_of_Reason (Kathy Getto) says…
bd (Anonymous) says:
sorry, gangsta crap is not music!
___________________________________________
Delete gangsta and insert Beatles and this is the same sentence that emanated from my dad's mouth in 1966 or so.
black_butterfly (anonymous) says…
LOL @ racist comments on this board and even more funny that some people are still dumb enough to think that all black people are on welfare. Bob is right, white teens buy the most rap music and concert tickets therefore making the rappers rich. Are they going to ban all of the heavy metal music and satanic rock that promotes violence also? Give me a break.
Wilbur_Nether (anonymous) says…
We're the ones who elect these people.
We're getting the government we deserve.
lounger (anonymous) says…
Silly waste of time on her part! I suppose all the Poor farm wives whos husbands listen to country songs about leaving their wives and drinking are fine though? This is a very narrow view and its not what Our money should be wasted on.