First of all we must strongly condemn the callous
killings of those teenage girls in Birmingham. We are deeply saddened
at their loss and our hearts and thoughts go out to their family and
friends at this time of grief.
Gun crime spiralling out of control
If there is one thing that most people agree on its that guns and
the criminal use of them has become a part of everyday life for many
inner-city dwellers in the UK. To hear or read about someone being
shot or guns being used in a crime is no longer shocking news and
that is a sad situation.
Although gun crime has been escalating for some time the situation
hasn't really caught our attention until the shooting in Birmingham.
The beginning of 2003 was marred by the killings of Latisha Shakespeare,
17, and Charlene Ellis, 18 who were simply seeing in the New Year
at a party but sadly never made it home after they were gunned down
by a hail of bullets in a drive-by type shooting.
Music takes the rap!
 |
Self-proclaimed
'THUG'
US rapper Tupac Shakur was gunned down in a drive-by style shooting
in Las Vegas |
Everyone was shocked at the killings and naturally
people were and still are looking for answers as to how and why gun
culture has gripped our nation. Well, while most people tried to rationalise
the situation the media and several public figured had it all worked
out in a matter of days and music was subsequently found guilty as
charged.
Rap music in particular was cited as the sole reason why gun crime
has spiralled out of control and so-called gangsta-rappers have been
criticised for making music containing lyrics said to glamorise violence
and gun use.
Those accusing rap music can't be blamed for their thoughts as they
do have plenty of ammunition to back their claims.
American super star rappers such as Tupac Shakur, Biggie Smalls and
Run DMC's Jam Master Jay have all been shot dead. Rappers P Diddy
formerly known as Puff Daddy and rap sensation Eminem have both been
arrested for gun related incidents.
Have the critics missed a beat?
| Violent Lyrics |
2Pac Lyrics - 2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted
It's like cuz, blood, gangbangin Everybody in the party doin
dope slangin You got to have papers in this world You might
get your first snatch, before your eyes swerl Ya doing ya job,
every day And then you work so hard til ya hair turn gray Let
me tell you about life, and bout the way it is You see we live
by the gun, so we die by the gun's kids. |
Ok, its true that 'gansta rap' does use lyrics that
are sometimes violent in nature but can that truly be the reason why
gun crime is on the rise. Could it be that rap music is being made
the easy scapegoat for a situation, which is far more complicated
and requires a much more profound diagnosis?
Home Secretary David Blunkett was one of the first people to launched
an attack on violent gangster rap music, condemning it as "appalling,"
yet he appeared to rule out explicit censorship of lyrics.
Instead he has opted to push a new law through parliament which will
significantly tighten gun laws. The government would like the courts
to hand down a mandatory jail sentence of five years for gun possession.
So although MR Blunkett has more or less blamed increased gun use
on rap music he is unwilling to do anything about it.
Speaking to the media he said, "He said: "I am not going to get into
the issue of censoring.
"But I am concerned that we need to talk to the record producers,
to the distributors, to those who are actually engaged in the music
business about what is and isn't acceptable."
However, there were some voices of reason coming out of government
by way of Labour MP Dianne Abbott whose Hackney North constituency
has seen a big increase in gun crime. She said, "For years I have
been very worried about these hateful lyrics that these boasting macho
idiot rappers come out with.
"Lyrics don't kill people but they don't half enhance the fare we
get from videos and films. It has created a culture where killing
is almost a fashion accessory."
"I think it would be good if these rap artists preached a different
message with their lyrics.
"But let's not pretend that ending gun criminality on the streets
of Hackney or Birmingham is as simple as getting people to sing different
songs," she told BBC Radio 4's The World at One.
"I very much doubt that banning music would be likely to get us the
ear of those very young people that we are trying to influence." |
Search
The Web
Search
Amamazon.co.uk