MTV Woes, Part Deux

MTV's censorship issues extend beyond just lyrical content. A large number of music videos throughout the years have been deemed inappropriate by their programming directors. Below I'll exhibit just a few of these videos, and explain why prohibiting them from receiving airtime is completely idiotic.

Mistah F.A.B., a major player in the West Coast's hip-hop scene, found himself on the receiving end of an MTV music video ban for his song "Ghost Ride It" in 2007. Ghost-riding, the act of dancing outside of a moving vehicle with no driver, has led to a significant amount of injuries. Arguably unjustly, Mistah F.A.B. was blamed for this movement. This is a prime example of MTV being selective with their judgment in censorship. Most music videos from today's top rap and hip hop artists depict at least some degree of drinking of drug usage. Wiz Khalifa, a rapper nominated for MTV's "Best New Artist" award, openly admits to abusing drugs and discusses it in his music. If MTV is to be the true moral compass for our children, they need to stick to one ideology. If this music video was banned due to setting a bad example for America's youth, then they need to take the same stance with other recording artists.

In 1991, Seattle grunge band Soundgarden found success with their hit single "Jesus Christ Pose." By all accounts from the band, this song's content couldn't be further from bashing those with faith in their lives. The song is directed towards public figures who abuse their religious authority (such as television evangelists like Pat Robertson) for immoral gain. The music video features the band members in a desert surrounded by  crosses and other holy images. Much to the ire of their fan base, MTV banned this Soundgarden song from receiving airtime.

This decision, albeit one that was made nearly twenty years ago, raises a series of questions. Who was MTV looking to defend by banning this video? What exactly about the video or song was found to be offensive? The line separating church and state seems to have been blurred in this decision. Are we really so fragile a society that we wouldn't be able to handle listening to a song with "Jesus Christ" in the title?