Richard Moore Sr.

Cleveland, Tn.

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I understand your concern, and I agree that what we repeatedly consume can shape our attitudes, emotions, and choices.

Parents and communities should pay attention to the messages young people are receiving.

At the same time, we need to be careful about claiming that rap lyrics or video games directly cause rape, shootings, stabbings, or crime. Moreover, there are other genres of music that has violence, rape, etc in them and no one is running to the news or paper to state these same statements. Some research shows that violent media can influence hostile thoughts, emotions, or short-term aggression in certain situations, but that is very different from proving it causes someone to commit serious criminal violence. The American Psychological Association reports that there is insufficient evidence to support a causal link between violent video games and violent behavior (American Psychological Association, 2020).

It’s also important to remember that serious violence existed long before rap music, modern video games, television, or social media. Human history is full of examples of violence that occurred without any connection to these media forms. People who never listen to rap or play violent games can still commit the same terrible acts. If those media forms were direct causes, we would not see serious violence among people who do not use them.

Serious violence usually comes from a more complicated mix of trauma, family instability, untreated mental health or substance abuse problems, exposure to real-life violence, peer influence, access to weapons, and individual choices. Media can be part of someone’s environment, but it should not become an excuse or a simple explanation for complex problems.

I believe the better response is to promote accountability, involved parenting, mentorship, empathy, critical thinking, healthy conflict resolution, and responsible media choices.

Christopher Cooper