An online debate has been spurred as to whether the hit 1987 Christmas song Fairytale of New York, performed by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl, should be censored for its use of the word \u201cfaggot\u201d.<\/b><\/p>\n
Today seen as a homophobic slur and widely agreed to be unacceptable in public discourse, one of the song\u2019s most memorable lyrics sung by Kirsty MacColl is the line \u201cyou scumbag, you maggot, you cheap lousy faggot\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n The debate stems from Irish Radio broadcaster Eoghan McDermott, who works for 2FM, a radio station run by Ireland\u2019s public service broadcaster <\/span>RT\u00c9: <\/span><\/p>\n This debate rolls around again. I asked the two gay members of my team how they feel, since faggot is their N word. If people want to slur the gay community, this is their most powerful weapon. One favours censoring, the other outright not playing it. Neither like it. Simples. https:\/\/t.co\/vNaPByZJ7J<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Eoghan McDermott (@eoghanmcdermo) December 4, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201c<\/span>Phrases that have zero social utility should fall away.\u201d McDermott wrote on Twitter. \u201cEnough vitriol out there without gay people having to feel uncomfortable so people that aren’t affected by an insult can tap their toe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n He also pointed to the Black Eyed Peas hit song \u201cLet\u2019s Get It Started\u201d, which was initially released under the name \u201cLet\u2019s Get Retarded\u201d, was changed after the word \u2018retard\u2019 became unacceptable. \u201cThe fact this song is a classic isn’t a strong enough defense to not at least censor it. We censor shit, fuck, ass, weed and loads of other comparatively benign words in songs. It’s not a big ask.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Speaking to VoL, Cardiff University student Barnaby Thomas says: \u201cI\u2019m a big fan of the reclamation of offensive language to a particular group – the N-word being used by African Americans and the use of queer in the LGBT community, for example, gives off a powerful message to those who want to use it against those particular minorities. Whilst the word fag is most definitely still a slur\u2026 I don\u2019t think that it should be banned but placed in its context and made clear that it\u2019s made clear that it\u2019s not an acceptable word to use today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Matthew Linfoot, Principal Lecturer and course leader for the University of Westminster’s BA Radio degree, says the debate raises questions about the nature of censorship in relation to art and culture: “The song uses a word which can be considered offensive in some contexts, but offence is mitigated by time and the awareness of the audience. Perhaps a contemporary song wouldn\u2019t use the word in quite the same way today, but this song exists and has done for over 40 years: do new listeners have the right to tamper with it or censor it, because they are offended? If you start with one word in a song, where do you end? Changing the words in Shakespeare? And what about the rights of those who aren\u2019t offended? It\u2019s certainly healthy to have a debate, but I\u2019m quite satisfied that the way the wording is used in the song is done for dramatic effect, there is no homophobic intent on the part of the performers or writers, and can be enjoyed as such.”<\/p>\n Linfoot added: “Perhaps we should be focussing our campaigning for LGBTQ rights and equality on more visible, tangible and immediate human rights violations in countries around the world rather than on a pop song at Christmas?\u201d<\/p>\n Fairytale of New York documents an argument between two Irish immigrants and lovers in New York City at Christmas time. It plays on cynical attitudes towards the American dream, and the Irish diaspora in New York City. The song consistently ranks highly on lists of the best Christmas songs, and remains the most popular Christmas song in Ireland.<\/span><\/p>\n Written by The Pogues\u2019 frontman Shane MacGowan, who spent his early life in County Tipperary, Ireland, the song\u2019s use of the F-word has been defended given its context. In Irish and Scouse slang, \u201cfaggot\u201d refers to a lazy person, not a gay person. In the context of the lyric, and the fact the classic Christmas song was written and performed by two Irish singers, some have argued the lyric should remain uncensored.<\/span><\/p>\n THE FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK IS NOT HOMOPHOBIC.<\/p>\n \u2018Faggot\u2019 means lazy in traditional Irish slang.<\/p>\n REPEAT<\/p>\n THE FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK IS NOT HOMOPHOBIC.<\/p>\n\n
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