Celebrity Political Influence

A couple months ago I was having a conversation with one of my volleyball coaches about musicians and their influence in the media and on the political world. Specifically, this coach was saying how she did not appreciate the Dixie Chicks and their comments about President Bush and wholeheartedly believed in the "shut up an sing" policy. Her main reasons backing this belief was noticing how influential bands can be on kids because young people absorb everything around them like a sponge, not filtering out the stuff they should make their own opinions on. Since they have no control over this absorption, in my coach's opinion, then celebrities, like Green Day or the Dixie Chicks should not voice their opinions on these issues.

Now my opinion on this is widely different. I recently went to a couple Bravery concerts and they make their political views clear when they say things like "this next song is about our f****** up political situation!". Hearing the band say this reminded me of the conversation I had with my coach and how my views haven't changed.

If I had the power and ability like any celebrity does, I would use it to its advantage. Of course I would never want to brain wash anyone and I respect other people's veiws, but I completely understand when there is something political that a celebrity is appreciative or frustrated about and acts out according to that. I also hate when people say that "musicians should just not give their opinion about anything". HELLO, all songs are written talking about their OPINION on something. It's like telling authors not to write themes and meaning into their novels. Everyone has the right in America to have the freedom of speech, and if someone has a large way of saying it (through song etc.) then I support their approach.