Readers Speak Up in Defense of Rap Music

Re “Rap’s Bad Rep” (May 2): To say that rap music is eroding the morals of youth is a terrible generalization. Officials at Magic Mountain should carry some of the blame for refusing to give refunds to a rap concert that was oversold.

The bottom line is that rap music does not cause violence.

The violence is derived from the lack of proper education and having to endure the harsh reality of the inner city.

A rap artist should not be restricted in expressing the truth even if the truth is ugly.

If the critics would put more effort in reducing alcohol advertising, improving education, instilling stronger family morals, getting a liquor store off every corner and reducing drug use, violence would be predominantly eradicated.

One must point out that there are rock bands that are just as influential and many times more harmful than rap bands.

Bands such as the Grateful Dead have always been involved with the promotion of psychedelic drugs, but they rarely face as much criticism as rap artists do.

ALEJANDRO Z. LOPEZ

Hacienda Heights