After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the popular music of America changed. Patriotic anthems announcing America's vengeance came out continuously. Country musicians were at the front to defend their country through song. Opposition was not an option in the eyes of many Americans. Those who did oppose the War on Terror and President Bush were criticized in the media. One such band that was ostracized was the Dixie Chicks. Freedom of speech was only taken into context when it was what the majority of the American population agreed with, although many people were against what the president set into action. However, they were pushed aside and talked down about because of using their freedom of speech to protest.
At a concert in London, singer Natalie Maines made an "un-patriotic" comment between the band’s song set. She stated that the band, like most of the British, were against the war on terror and was ashamed that President Bush was from her home state of Texas. Her comment was said to have been used to bolster moral at the concert, however, it was used to bring the band down and used against them. What she said was as an entertainer and not a politician and should have been taken as such. The Dixie Chicks were used as an example of an "un-American" band. After returning to the States, their concerts were picketed. The picketers put derogatory comments about the ladies on signs, but this was okay in the media. Media members also made comments about them, saying they should be "slapped around" and were "bimbos". Such comments were not taken as politically incorrect, although they were in support of abusive situations. They were boycotted on radio stations.
This comment made by Maines was her asserting her freedom of speech. She was victimized by the media, along with the others in her band. Another comment made about the Dixie Chicks was that "freedom of speech is a two-way street." The freedom of speech issue in contemporary music was not taken as a two-way street during this time after 9/11. Media and protesters could say what they pleased about the Dixie Chicks and other people that did not agree with the war and Bush. Singers, such as Toby Keith, who wrote patriotic songs about America's resistance to be defeated, were praised for their songs. This “two-way street” of the freedom of speech was not upheld. If what the singers had to say was patriotic and defending the “American way” they were thought of great Americans. If a majority of people did not like what someone had said, they were protested against and treated as though they were defending the terrorists and the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. This was the case with the Dixie Chicks and their protesters. These “All-American” girls were thought to be siding with the attackers. Former fans were disgusted with the words of Maines. On the other hand, boycotters and protesters said inappropriate things about the Dixie Chicks and their words were not ever questioned. These people were conveyed on the news as good, all-American citizens that were just standing up for their country.
People were hypocrites during the post-9/11 years in contemporary music. Many artists that sang songs about being pro-war and pro-America were actually against the war. They sang these songs to boost morale among the country with the defending and remembering 9/11 lyrics, when the singers themselves were anti-war. Artists said what American citizens wanted to hear, not what the artists believed. The singers did not what their careers to be smashed apart, as the Dixie Chicks had been. However, the Dixie Chicks never recanted. Yes, Maines apologized, but she stood her ground against the war during the onslaught of abusive media coverage. These women stayed strong during everything that was thrown at them following the London incident. She supported the troops in what they were doing, but did not support the president for sending them to Iraq in the first place. America went into an uproar over this. Other musicians, including Toby Keith, used this to an advantage. Bashing the Dixie Chicks boosted support for their music, while it diminished the fan base of the Dixie Chicks’. Altogether, the media, general public and colleagues of the Dixie Chicks turned their hate on the ladies. This shows intolerance for opposing viewpoints on the war in Iraq and an infringement on the Dixie Chicks’ freedom of speech. “Freedom of speech is a two-way street” when people want to talk bad about others when they do not agree upon a topic. However, it seems to not be okay for people, in this case the Dixie Chicks, to oppose what others think is right. The “bashers” think it is alright for them to degrade people of a different viewpoint, but not alright for those same people to even voice their opinion. The general public, the Americans that are so patriotic and supportive of their country, seemed to be trying to take away the Dixie Chicks’ freedom of speech just because they did not like what the Dixie Chicks had to say.
The actions of the American people were uncalled for. They over reacted to a simple comment made by the Dixie Chicks. The comment itself was not meant to be a political statement and should not have been used as such. Maines was only stating her opinion to a crowd of people in between songs at a small concert. The Dixie Chicks were used as an example. They were quickly put in a situation that they had not meant to get into. The American public, especially the country music fans and Dixie Chicks fans, were quick to point a finger of disapproval at them for acting in such an un-patriotic manner and being ashamed of their president. The statements made against the Dixie Chicks by the media were much worse than what the Dixie Chicks had originally said. Maines received death threats for only being ashamed of the president and against the war on terror. People became extreme in their hate for these women, when what they said was only their opinion taken out of context. It was said from an entertainer’s point of view, but used as a politician’s.
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