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Editor:
In response to Kristen Roberts' Nov. 21 column ("Consumer choices send stores and musicians clear message"), I would first like to say that I wholeheartedly support her views on Wal-Mart's attempt at censoring CD titles and art. The idea of encouraging performers to "clean up their act" so that an album may then be found suitable as fodder for profit (by one retailer's standards) is absurd.
If Wal-Mart's business practices are founded on morals, I believe they should take a clear stance and exercise their right to not make money from a product that they find offensive. Apparently that is too big a sacrifice to make and so they flash a little green in attempt to persuade artists to alter their work.
In contrast to this agreement, I was shocked to find a discussion of "offensive" music as "poison." Music is an art form. Art is a reflection of culture, not the cause of its downfall. Before we consider lyrics or cover art as objectionable, let us first decide whose standards we are using. I was disappointed to hear Ms. Roberts make a plea to the public, "We must choose not to buy it wherever it is sold."
Rather, we as thoughtful and intelligent humans must choose WHETHER OR NOT to buy it, wherever it is sold. This decision must be made by the individual in accordance with his or her standards. Fortunately, we live in a nation where we still possess some freedom to make this decision. Clearly Ms. Roberts has chosen to impart her standards onto us, the same thing that Wal-Mart is attempting to do if not with a little more tact.
Wesley D. Brewer
music education sophomore
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