Les,

I am often unclear what constitutes censorship. I am sure that a government declaring what can be read, seen, sung, and written is censorship. I believe that an editorial policy on what is published by a comic book company is not. The difference being that the government is applying the policy to everyone while the comic book company is only stating their policy on what they will publish in their books. If you draw a comic that Marvel Entertainment won't publish but Darhorse will you haven't been censored.

The only censorship that should be allowed is self censorship. Lets face it The Darktown Strutters Ball may or may not be a racist tune but perception aften becomes reality and to many people this is a racisit tune. I think fool hardy would be how I'd describe singing this song to a bi-racial audience in a general setting. Probably any audience in a general setting. Your decision to leave this song unsung isn't censorship it is wisdom. It isn't censorship because you chose not to sing it.

I think a sponsor or a venue has the right to say what is allowed from their stage. The performer can agree to those terms or play elswhere at a venue more suited to the music.

Lastly this is a very gray area. Many people will view any policy that disallows some art to be displayed or performed at one venue to be censorship. I don't.

I do remember I was a serious worry to my parents because I'd sing Phil Och's anti-war songs and they didn't meet with my Dad's republican mind set. I'd sing Baly James Duff (The Garden of Eden) and my girl friend who was in the throes of the new woman's movement would beat me up about sexist view of the song and the racist third verse.

Don