-Freedom for Reggaeton

By: Alliyah Todman

One of the largest islands in West Indies, Cuba is rich in culture, agriculture, and also history. But many may not know that Cuba is also very strict on many things.

Cubas’ flag

They are very strict in the schools, and parents are very serious about their children’s education. Many people can’t afford to send their children to college, but they try to give them the best education through grade school so they can give their children a bright future.

In Cuba people are not allowed to fish for lobster on the coast, not allowed to skip school, and not allowed to leave the country without a very good reason. These rules are enforced by the government and law enforcement.

Now, the issue is that they want to ban racy music-- Reggaeton--a type of popular Puerto Rican-style music that combines reggae rhythms with hip-hop influences and includes rapping in Spanish.

“Reggaeton, even though it is Spanish, has a very nice groove and beat to it to make people get off their feet,” said a senior at Kean.

But the Cuban government believes that it is about drugs, violence, and that it degrades women. In a press conference in December, Danilo Sirio Lopez, the director of the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television, said, “It has been decided. We will not play one more rude song, one more base song, one more song with offensive lyrics or vibes that attack or denigrate the image of women.”

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/01/07/cuba-cracks-down-on-racy-music-lyrics/print#

Many people in the US and the Virgin Islands may agree with these rules, and some may disagree. In the US many people think that the women in the music videos should wear more clothes, because some look like they're not wearing any, and that they look like strippers. Many people also think if the young women see what little clothes the women wear in music videos, they will want to do the same.

Britney Spears dancing

To some it’s called advertising and sex sells, say many artists and producers. Without the beautiful women in the music videos showing off what’s hot, and what’s not, many designers will not make any money, and many of the new hair styles would not be seen. Many people will not watch the music videos, and therefore, the artists will not make any money.

“Reggaeton is a cultural phenomenon [which might] make the people who love it spark out in protest, and probably riot,” said the Kean senior.

I feel that the Cuban government should leave it to the people to decide what they should watch, wear, and also listen to. All people should have the freedom to choose. What will you choose?