Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, July 24, 1990                   TAG: 9007240364
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

RATING SYSTEM BETTER THAN CENSORSHIP

The recent controvery over such works as photographs by the late Robert Mapplethorpe and lyrics by rap group 2 Live Crew would not be objectionable had not those opposed to it deemed it necessary to force their version of morality on the rest of the country.

Violence depicted by the film industry, and sexism used as a selling tool by the advertisement corporations, go further toward the demoralization of our society than do isolated incidences of tasteless symbolism displayed by a few individual artists. Yet a rating system, which is inadequate at best, is more in tune with the traditions of our country than is artistic censorship.

Such censorship, if adopted, would set a dangerus precedent toward limiting the diversity of our culture and repressing the creativity of our mind. I suggest that those who find such art abhorrent to their sense of decency simply refrain from exposing themselves to it. SUSAN PEIRICK SALEM