After reading the article by Brent Israelsen in the Sept. 24 Deseret News regarding the cancellation of the high school marching bands competition, the statement, "All that needs to be done for evil to succeed is for good men to stand by and do nothing" came to my mind. To displace 3,000 young people who were scheduled for an areawide marching band competition so that a "Voodoo Lounge" can be erected for the performance of The Rolling Stones on Oct. 23 is incomprehensible.
As national music chairman of the American Mother's Inc., I have been doing research on the harmful effects that this kind of music has on young people.In his book, "The Closing of the American Mind" (which should be required reading for every parent and educator), Allan Bloom goes to the major source of the decline of morality in the many young people who are involved with drugs, gangs, illicit sex, lack of respect for parents and authority and lays it at the feet of Mick Jagger, who is the main honcho of the Rolling Stones.
As I talk with parents of young people who seem addicted to this kind of music, most of them think that it is a passing phase that won't do any harm. Unfortunately, this so-called "music" is addictive.
The stepfather of one of the young men who was shot last week in a parking lot was quoted as saying that part of the bad influence that caused his stepson's behavior was a rap tape that they found in his room after his death. He said, "The idea of killing was all over this tape. You play that tape time after time, it's like a brainwash. He let himself be brainwashed by this violence thing."
How can we sit by and allow this to happen? Perhaps we don't realize the destructive force that is capturing our young people. There is an innate need for music in everyone. If we start in our homes when our children are tiny, by playing uplifting, beautiful music, our children will be attracted to the music that is familiar to them. There are excellent programs available that can be used in the home which teach values and good moral principles of
living.
Betty Jeanne Chipman
National music chairman
American Mother's Inc.