Rap and Responsibility

A group of my peers recounted one of the hottest topics in the music industry: censorship. Not general censorship of all music, but the exclusive censorship of the hip-hop industry. It's odd to think that when censorship comes up, it seems to target forms of entertainment that are primarily or stereotypically enjoyed by African-Americans. Regardless of where the censorship is aimed, it is an issue and it seems no one is taking responsibility for it. The group members felt that the hip-hop music industry should take responsibility for censorship. They cited a couple of song lyrics that contained gender deprecating and alcohol appreciating subtleties. They told us about videos that contained vulgar images and glamorized "gangsta living". The industry should be responsible for the messages they send out to the masses. In some ways I agree with my peers, but then I remember that the people that put out these images are entertainers. It is not necessarily who they are. Actors, writers, directors, and rappers should all be held to the same standard. No one should be held more responsible than the other. Perhaps there should be a rating system for music like there is for movies and video games.
In my opinion, the bulk of censorship responsibility lies with the parents. A child will naturally develop an affinity to what is seen and heard in the home. Yes it is true that the "corridor curriculum" of school life and peers can starkly contradict what is taught at home, but there is no substitute for a solid foundation.