Dixie Chicks - From the American girls next door to being the most hated

America is known as the land of opportunity, equality, and freedom. But is there really freedom of speech and if so is there a limit to how much someone can say? This was all questioned when the Dixie Chicks performed at the Shepherds Bush Empire in London, England when Natalie Maines said “ We are ashamed that the president of the United States is from Texas!” Their number one hit dropped and so did their careers. During this time Bush had everyone supporting him and the war. At this point everyone was very patriotic. This is where propaganda plays its part, Propaganda makes people proud of “our” side and fear and distrust the “other” side. The media demonized them by saying such things as “ Natalie is not paid to espouse her ideas on stage.” This was a quote by Terry Dorsey. But is that really true? Musicians sing express their opinion through music just like politicians say it through speech. Another comment that was made towards the Dixie Chicks was “ Dumbest Bimbos” … “Foolish women who deserve to be slapped around.” This was broadcasted all over, reporters aren’t suppose to give their opinion therefore making this statement people believed it was true. This statement was very sexist and unnecessary but no one did or said anything about it but when Natalie made that statement everyone went against her. Lipton the sponsor of the Dixie Chicks stopped supporting them because of the bad publicity they were getting. If the Dixie Chicks were ashamed that Bush was from Texas that would mean that if Lipton kept supporting them they think the same thing. If we had freedom of speech, why did the media verbally attack the Dixie chicks? Yet nothing happened to the guy that made that sexist comment. The Dixie Chicks gave a lot of courage to other people to start voicing their opinion such as Pink who sing the song “Dear Mr. President” and the Kanye West comment that was made on national television saying that “ Bush hated black people.” Their careers are fine but I guess the Dixie Chicks spoke out at the wrong time.