‘Cop Killer’ Fingers Social Tension

There is an enormous difference between criticizing a song like “Cop Killer” as irresponsible and arguing that the song should be banned. When we begin to talk about censorship, there are two questions we need to ask. The first is whether the song “Cop Killer” is likely to make people kill police. If it does, then it is legitimate to raise the second issue: whether the danger posed by the song warrants calling for its suppression.

The burden of proof should be on those who advocate censorship. If they cannot show that the song is dangerous, which is not the same thing as simply finding it offensive, then they should stop insisting that the record be banned.

JOHN M. GREEN

Balboa Island