Shut up & sing: The Dixie Chicks

The Dixie Chicks are the basis for a recent documentary film entitled "Shut & Sing," and I urge everyone to go see it if possible. I'm here to talk about how I think they were treated. The group was called un-American, communists, and other words not suitable for print. Country music fans turned away from the popular group who were subsequently banned from play on most radio stations. Album and ticket sales plummeted.

What happened? On Mar. 10, 2003, at a sold out concert in London, England, singer Natalie Maines told the crowd, "Just so you know, we're on the good side with you. We don't want this war or violence." Maines then added, "And we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas."

This happened days before the Iraq war erupted. President Bush's popularity was at an all-time high, unlike now. The quote even took a few days to make it to the Associated Press wire, but when it did, all hell broke loose. There were public burnings of Dixie Chicks CDs and memorabilia. What year was this? It reminded me of the McCarthy era, or the 1950s, when "rock and roll" was bad.

As Americans, we are entitled to freedom of speech. In the U.S., freedom of expression is protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Isn't the principle of freedom to promote dialogues on public issues? Or is it only allowed when everyone else agrees with you?

Please don't give me that, "she was on foreign soil" stuff. Even if Maines was in another country, she is still an American and that doesn't change. She wasn't living in Europe, she was touring. Maines is entitled to speak.

The band members were told to "shut up and sing." It reminded me of when women were fighting for their rights and told to "stay in the kitchen." It reminded me of why gay people used to "stay in the closet." No one wanted to know it or hear it.

Three and a half years later, the Dixie Chicks are back. They have a new album that came out earlier this year. They are touring again, although not every area of the U.S. is ready to accept them again. Their first single, "Not Ready to Make Nice," was a song they sung for themselves, but it was also a song the listener could interpret in his own way.

During their time away, the Chicks helped fund a Web site through Rock the Vote, and within one month, 150,000 new voters were registered. They were honored with the Defenders of Democracy Award by the People for the American Way. Talk about rising from the ashes! These women should be commended for holding their ground.

Expressing one's self is a given. Yes, not everyone will agree with you, but that is what makes this country great. We, as citizens, have more voice than those in other countries. It's our right.