New M.I.A. controversial video (censorship)?

Besides being awesome, British songwriter M.I.A. has recently released a new music video for her recent song “Born free” which is supposed to depict world genocide (specifically in Sri Lanka, where she’s originally from). The video features quite excessive violence (red heads “gingers” pretty much being rounded up and shot, children being shot) and nudity. It was quickly pulled from youtube and has evidently been generating a lot of “heat”.

The question is obvious – Is censorship really necessary, especially in this case when there is an intelligent, comprehensive message to be received? If it is, where is the line to be drawn? To parents – assuming your children are old enough to understand the content, are you comfortable with them viewing it considering what it features?

Artists are known for being controversial and outspoken – film, theater, art, and music has ALWAYS been (and evidently will always be) like this. It’s kind of silly that the public freaks every time this happens. I think the video serves it’s purpose – which is to provoke thought, challenge perspective and get people thinking and I wouldn’t change a thing had I the authority.