Fear of Fantasy

The first thing that comes to mind when reading all about these cases is why is the government getting so involved with art? I would not typically put the two together but I guess that sometimes it is essential for someone higher up to be involved with the arguments and different points of view that arise out of different art pieces and their subject matter.

The issue of feminist beliefs versus the pornography industry is ongoing. Some feminist such as MacKinnon and Dworkin argue that pornography somehow causes physical harm to women. I find this to be confusing. I do not really see how something that one looks at or watches could cause physical harm to the viewer. This basis is also argued by Steiner when she says that pornography is often protected by the First Amendment and that would not be possible if it caused physical harm or interferes with the rights and freedoms of individuals. She goes onto mention so other women's arguments on the subject such as that pornography "presents women subordinated, degraded, and brutalized" and how some women compare pornography with rape. I think that this is a little out of my league to really give an accurate opinion on for I am not familiar with the pornography that they are discussing but I do think that it is somewhat harsh to compare the subject to rape. The people that are participating are willing to do so are as the viewers who are choosing to watch. I guess this would be a good example of how "pornography has always presented a special problem in the differentiation of art from reality."

I thought that it was interesting to read about the way art evokes reality and some of the ways the Steiner explains it. Art refers to reality by resembling it. For example, a Degas painting of a ballet dancer is meant to resemble a ballet dancer but an abstract painting, although not meant to look like realistic, still evokes an image of a visual field. She explains that even though we might totally give ourselves up to art or be moved by it, we can always withdraw ourselves from it because it is only a virtual experience of power. That is why I do not understand why some people get into such heated arguments about some controversial art pieces. An artist might simply be displaying their personal opinion. No one is forcing one to look at a certain exhibition. If you find yourself being offended, merely draw yourself away from it because it is not reality.

It is interesting how modern forms of art are making their way into the governments list of things to look over. I thought that it was interesting to read how some politicians are addressing the issues of what Rev. Al Sharpton has termed "the b-word, the n-word and the h-word." I think that this is interesting that they are investigating the effect of what rap music is saying in their lyrics and how it is effecting today's society. It will be interesting to see how things change over time.

Questions:
1. How does the pornography industry deal with government lawsuits? Do they justify the products as being art or entertainment?

2. What are some measures that government is taking to deal with the harsh terms or subject matter that is often heard in rap and hip hop music?

3. Are their any counter arguments to the use of certain terms in the music?