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There is no attack on free speech when people want a derogative and homophobic slur censored on the radio. The context is irrelevant.

 

There is of course the factor that banning *anything* makes people all the more curious, and in the case of records, increases their sales...

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Yeah because there's been so many instances where censoring words has caused an influx of sales!
There is of course the factor that banning *anything* makes people all the more curious

 

Thank you

 

Asking why it is bleeped opens a conversation for parents to explain to kids why it is wrong. It's how I learnt about swear words in music! My parents told me that shit, f***, etc were rude when they popped up in songs and I was told not to say them as a kid. Simple.

 

Yes, but bleeping it out sets an example that it is in fact a slur and not really the best word to use, the same...with...every...other...censored..word.

 

Next

Poor oppressed straight, white men who have never had to fight for rights or face discrimination based on sexuality, race or gender.... this is the sorta sentiment that leads to a suggestion for straight pride.

 

Asking why it is bleeped opens a conversation for parents to explain to kids why it is wrong. It's how I learnt about swear words in music! My parents told me that shit, f***, etc were rude when they popped up in songs and I was told not to say them as a kid. Simple.

 

I agree but you know as well as I that not all parents do that! I was bought up that way and it taught me well, now you get young kids who learn of their parents acting like animals.

Haven't commented on this until now, but add me to the list of those having started out not having an opinion either way but having read about the negative experiences of posters caused by the F-word, I can see why the word should be censored just as other insulting words are in songs on the radio.
I agree but you know as well as I that not all parents do that! I was bought up that way and it taught me well, now you get young kids who learn of their parents acting like animals.

Why should it matter that not all parents are going to have a conversation about it? If censoring offensive words that are used as slurs to particular communities opens up a conversation between parent and child about what is right and wrong in the world, then that's surely only a good thing. Joseph's post serves as solid proof. Admittedly, I myself have been familiar with what's largely considered inappropriate language and slurs from both TV programmes and music since a young age but that has never encouraged me to use them to target, cause harm to or offend any individual or community. If anything they've served as an important education that such language is simply unacceptable.

I shall say that 'Fairytale Of New York' is one of my favourite Christmas songs of all time. Has been since I first heard it aged 7. But I haven't felt compelled to yell the 'F-word bit' (as we're now calling it) in other's faces to cause offence as others appear to have been on the harsh receiving end of. But then again I've been bought up, not dragged up.

 

Also it's important to remember the context of the song. A fictional tale of a drunken couple bickering at each other over their crushed dreams whilst in New York for Christmas. Not totally out the ordinary, but not an everyday occurence regardless.

 

It's not the song that needs banning, it's the conversation around it that needs improvement. As David Levesey says at the end of his article for The Independent here: 'Don’t pretend it never happened: just make sure people know it shouldn’t ever happen again.'

I shall say that 'Fairytale Of New York' is one of my favourite Christmas songs of all time. Has been since I first heard it aged 7. But I haven't felt compelled to yell the 'F-word bit' (as we're now calling it) in other's faces to cause offence as others appear to have been on the harsh receiving end of. But then again I've been bought up, not dragged up.

 

Also it's important to remember the context of the song. A fictional tale of a drunken couple bickering at each other over their crushed dreams whilst in New York for Christmas. Not totally out the ordinary, but not an everyday occurence regardless.

 

It's not the song that needs banning, it's the conversation around it that needs improvement. As David Levesey says at the end of his article for The Independent here: 'Don’t pretend it never happened: just make sure people know it shouldn’t ever happen again.'

thissss

I've not commented on this thread until now, but I have been reading it from the beginning and, in that time, I'm happy to say my opinion on the matter in hand has changed.

 

I never had an issue with f-word being used in this song. The meaning of the word was different to how it's interpreted now and the song itself was just a fun, harmless, sing-along song. The reasons that have been put forward in this thread have helped me change my view though, from the objective reasoning of the fact any other similar word, regardless of context and date, would be at least censored from radio, to the personal responses of why hearing this word can cause offence or be triggering. I guess I'm lucky that I've never been subject to this, but reading about people who have experienced others think they're clever by aiming this word at them and think they get a free pass to say it is just awful and I understand the fear and harm it can cause.

 

People are always going to have different opinions on this matter, but surely everyone has the decency to acknowledge and respect others when they share just how hurtful hearing such a word is to them. I wasn't going to say anything in this thread, but I think it's important that those who took the time to put forward insightful, fair and elegantly written posts that explained why the use of the F-word in this song is inappropriate know that their words haven't gone unnoticed. You've educated me and I'm sure there's many others who have been too, so don't think that, just because those claiming you are wrong to be offended are shouting the loudest, others aren't coming away from this with a new perspective.

 

I echo Liam's thoughts and although it's been a heated conversation with differing opinions it's been a great topic!

People are just calling for the song to be censored because of one swear word, it’s not like people are calling for the song to be banned like what’s happening with Baby It’s Cold Outside.

 

HOWEVER, I do agree that the conversation in general, let alone surrounding this song, especially in the world’s current political climate, is worsening rather than improving. If Buzzjack is resorting to aggressive methods of pushing opinions, how much more aggravated has it become in more volatile social media outlets? But that’s a story for another part of the forum.

People are just calling for the song to be censored because of one swear word, it’s not like people are calling for the song to be banned like what’s happening with Baby It’s Cold Outside.

 

HOWEVER, I do agree that the conversation in general, let alone surrounding this song, especially in the world’s current political climate, is worsening rather than improving. If Buzzjack is resorting to aggressive methods of pushing opinions, how much more aggravated has it become in more volatile social media outlets? But that’s a story for another part of the forum.

 

Mate, this is nothing out of the ordinary for here, albeit something we haven't seen for a few months. It's been a great read, a few posters getting passionate, about something they want to stand up for. Couldn't have happened to a better Christmas song, I've been looking forward to playing this voluntarily.

 

(and I must admit, as a dirty straight white man, it's something I never think about, so quite educational to read and understand)

No one is calling for the song to be banned. Just to censor that word. It's censored in every other song, so why not this, when it's used as an actual slur (whether it's the lazy one or the homophobic one)?

 

Context is irrelevant in this discussion imo. Just like Cody pointed out about "Same Love". Macklemore uses it in an almost educational sense but it's bleeped out on primetime radio and rightly so. Just like when rappers or singers use the N word to refer to their friends (something like "me and my N***az pull up and we're like 'Whaddup?'") It's still bleeped out.

 

To me, this is no different.

HOWEVER, I do agree that the conversation in general, let alone surrounding this song, especially in the world’s current political climate, is worsening rather than improving. If Buzzjack is resorting to aggressive methods of pushing opinions, how much more aggravated has it become in more volatile social media outlets? But that’s a story for another part of the forum.
I'd say the conversation has overall been pretty civilised though? Definitely wouldn't call it aggressive.
Sorry you guys, I’ve been so used to the FCC censoring everything that actual discourse over whether or not to censor a song perplexes me because it seems like common sense to censor something on the grounds of profanity.
Banning words isn't going to solve discrimination towards gay people.

One person going green isn't going to prevent global warming but at least you're doing your part in fixing the problem. Banning derogatory slurs won't solve discrimination on its own but it's a step in the right direction.

There's an article just been published on the BBC website discussing the lyrics of certain Christmas songs including FONY.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-46425160

 

I'm old enough to remember the track from the first time around and there was some discussion of the lyrics back then though the main problem wasn't the F-word (though it was commented on) but rather Michael Hurll, producer of Top Of The Pops, insisting that Kirsty MacColl sang "ass" rather than "arse" as the latter was deemed to be too offensive for family audiences.

There's an article just been published on the BBC website discussing the lyrics of certain Christmas songs including FONY.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-46425160

 

I'm old enough to remember the track from the first time around and there was some discussion of the lyrics back then though the main problem wasn't the F-word (though it was commented on) but rather Michael Hurll, producer of Top Of The Pops, insisting that Kirsty MacColl sang "ass" rather than "arse" as the latter was deemed to be too offensive for family audiences.

 

That BBC article misses the point and just plays into the “snowflake” narrative with respect to FONY. Nobody is saying the song should be banned, just the word should bleeped out on radio.

Edited by iain

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