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Marilyn Manson Essay, Research Paper

Marilyn Manson: Pushing the 1st Amendment

Marilyn Manson is a name that has been a thorn in the side of society as a moral and ethical issue for the parents and kids of the generation ?X?. He is one of the most controversial artists in the world today, one who chooses to express himself in a way that provokes in the most extreme methods possible. His methods are bizarre and shunned by most of society, as it cannot fathom what he is trying to accomplish. However, further research into his life and beliefs will explain that he is sending a very strong message to the world. A message that is firmly protect by the First Amendment in the American Constitution. This freedom has unleashed a number of technical issues, as well as indirect damage done by the people who would interpret his message incorrectly.

The First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of association (assembly). It also protects the rights of citizens to worship as they please and the right not to be forced to support someone else?s religion. The First Amendment also provides for the right to assemble and to demand a change in government policies. (Bill of Rights, Encarta 1999 CDROM). Manson uses this freedom fully, getting his message across by any means possible, mainly to the younger generation. These younger generations are more accepting of his attitude and beliefs, partly due to the fact that teens are more susceptible to mass persuasion and are easily confused. This has helped Manson conjure up a large loyal following of disgruntled teens that are called ?Mansonites.?

How Manson gets his message across has been the center of controversy revolving around the US ever since Manson?s rise to stardom. His moral, ethical and religious actions have been questioned repeatedly. His ethics may be a representation of how disorientated American society has become in the late 1990s. Alternatively, Manson may simply be showing that the media can be used to manipulate the American mind more easily than their own values at heart. ?God is in the TV? (Rock is Dead) Manson screams.

Now, how did this man become what he is today? Where did he form his views about life and society, which would ultimately lead to his notorious antics and cause millions of American parents and city council members to want to cancel his concerts, against the First Amendment? (?Politicians Rally against Manson?).

Marilyn Manson is the band name and the stage name of lead singer Brian Warner, who formed the band in 1989 and whose apparent business savvy and flair for controversy turned into a success. Using androgyny, satanic images and themes of rebellion and death, Manson irked bystanders and proved that outrageous rock was still a viable form of entertainment. (?Manson: Rock Star?) The name Marilyn Manson comes from a pseudonym of Marilyn Monroe and Charles Manson, two opposites of society. (Manson, 85) Ever since Marilyn Manson?s release of his album Anti-Christ Superstar, many people have associated and accused him of influencing teen suicide and Satanism, just because he acted, dressed and performed as an individual brought up by society?s mistakes. (?Marilyn Manson?) It is this kind of media and political attention that Manson has received to become such a big name in controversy in the last decade. It all depends in how one takes his remarks and viewpoints. If no attention were paid to Manson?s antics, there would be no controversy; therefore, his entire essence of being the AntiChrist may have been created by society itself.

?On moral responsibility: Kids see more from their parents than they would anyone else. They?re the ones who should set the example.? (?Manson on Manson?) This is Manson?s criticism of all the parents who would criticize him. Parents are the biggest complainers about Manson, partly because they are of the older generation and partly because they can use Manson as a scapegoat for problems with teenage crime and suicide in the US. ?We talked about the kids inside, the tragedy of hopelessness, the blatant rebellion against God and Manson?s part in the whole thing.? (Benson, It?s only Rock N Roll..NOT). This is where the conflicts within the First Amendment come into play. Too many people disagree on everything, however everyone is entitled to their own opinion, of course there are more against Manson than for him which is where extreme actions are taken that are either ridicules or unconstitutional.

When college students are fined $250 plus court costs for simply wearing a Manson T-shirt, there are definitely problems. (?Manson Shirt Wearer Fined?). This is a violation of the First Amendment and has been labeled a form of religious persecution. The amount of critics that Manson has is incredible, and society as a whole has been the major instigator of the negative publicity Manson receives. In fact, a bill to shield children from violent and sexual material in music, film, books and games was shot down in Washington. (Dansby 55) These are some of the extreme measures taken to try to shield the country from the unfortunate popularity of sex and violence in American entertainment. It is this violence and sex, which has helped promote Manson. This negative publicity is helping Manson however, as he is being heard, and the more his is being heard, the more people he can reach out to, no matter what negative connotation there is involved.

?Recent attempts by conservatives to ban his shows have made him the darling of the left wing and a perfect example of the kind of controversy the First Amendment can bring about.? (?Manson-Politically Correct??). Now why is Manson under such heat? The First Amendment does allow him the freedom to say and do what he wants to provoke, but what exactly does he say?

?I?m a controversial artist, one who dares to have an opinion and bothers to

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