Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, February 20, 1993 TAG: 9302220271
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
VIOLENCE SHOULD BE SEEN BUT NOT HEARD?
IN RESPONSE to your article on the persecution of Vic Vanover and Vette Records, I feel that two important areas need to be addressed. Since no one else has done it, I will accept the task.First, for your editors and reporters who have followed this case: While Ice-T, a member of the band, is primarily known as a rap artist, the album by Body Count is not rap - it is heavy-speed-metal, rock 'n' roll. Anyone who took the time to listen to even a fraction of one of the songs would know this. (So much for an informed media.)
Also, why do you insist on paraphrasing the lyrics or lifting "key" phrases from the context of the songs. If you must print the words, print the whole song. Or are words describing violence inappropriate for your poor, sheltered readers (even though the front page often shows us full-color photographs of such violence and worse)? Talk about irony: You can see the real thing, but don't you dare say the words! Choosing the "offensive" parts to print is not very objective, is it?
Second, what needs to be addressed is Mr. Mannix, who is harassing Vanover "to protect my children, your children, and even Vanover's children." Thank you for your selfless concern, but I don't need you to interfere with how my children are raised. You need to get your own house in order before knocking on my or anyone else's door.
My parents allowed me to listen to whatever music I wanted and encouraged me to discuss with them why I liked the Dead Kennedys and Black Sabbath, for example. This fostered a sense of trust and respect within my family. They did not take my records away and call the cops, forcing me to steal records and hide them away.
Despite what Tipper Gore, Susan Baker, Jesse Jackson and those other so-called liberals (and their conservative allies) say, the best way to deal with "wicked" rock music is not with Gestapo tactics they and Mannix advocate, but with dialogue and trust. These qualities are best provided by the family, not legislators and cops. And, as Frank Zappa said, "Don't let them govern by telling you what you don't like." Raise your voice and tell them what you do like. CURTIS E. DOUGLAS BLACKSBURG