Rebecca Rich

Pd. 1
Declaration of Musical Independence
When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to
dissolve the popular bands which have connected them with another, and to
assume among the ultimate powers of the earth, the separate and better
radio station to which the laws of nature and of natures God entitle them
(Locke), a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they
should declare the causes which impel them to separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all musicians are created equal,
that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights
(Locke), that among these are a good life, liberty in expressing oneself, and
the pursuit of happiness (Rosseau). That whenever any radio station
becomes ignorant of these talented musicians, it is the right of the people to
alter or abolish it, and to institute new radio stations (Rosseau), laying its
foundation on such principles and organizing its music in such form, as to
them shall seem most likely to affect their happiness with the result. When a
long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object
envinces a design to reduce them under absolute control of musical tastes, it
is their right, it is their duty, to stop listening to such stations, and provide
new stations for their future happiness (Locke). Such has been the patient
sufferance of these listeners, and such is now the necessity which constrains
them to alter their former radio stations. The history of the present radio
companies is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in
direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny of the music industry
(Montesquieu).

To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

They have:

Played the music of the same few musicians consistently whenever

there is a new song.

Played the most popular music with outrageous levels of repetition.
Rarely played the music of newer artists who need the recognition.
Not considered the music of lesser-known musicians.
Not tried to find talent from other outlets geared to slightly different

audiences.
Not played a significant amount of music from people who can

competently play instruments.

Not communicated with record labels to identify the music of new

artists.
Manipulated the radio-listening population into thinking that the artists
whose music they always play are talented when they are sometimes
not (Montesquieu).

We, therefore, the representatives of the manipulated, in general congress,

assembled, appealing to the supreme judge of the world for the rectitude of
our intentions, do, in the name, and by authority of the good people having
been manipulated, that these people are, and of right ought to be free of the
manipulation of others; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the
radio companies; and that as free and independent people (Locke), they
have the full power to rebel against the radio, conclude peace with others,
contract alliances within the music community, and to do other acts and
things which independent people may of right do (Hobbes). And for the

support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine

providence, we mutually pledge to each other our musical livelihoods, our
resulting fortunes and our sacred honor and dedication.