FSC++, BBC--

[baratron]

Does anyone else who hasn't already answered my poll/commented on this post here want a Christmas card? I have a few left, and the amount of bother required to write cards is not much if they will cheer you up. The cards are Forest Stewardship Ewok approved and part-recycled too, so not too much need to feel guilty about tree wastage. (Actually, the most impressive product I have seen recently was an FSC-approved toilet seat made of reclaimed timber. It ranks right up with the amazing recycled wood MDF skirting boards that Richard's been buying for the rooms we've changed the floors in. I like the FSC, they have a pretty logo, and are obviously a bunch of beardy ewok foresters. Though I can see the point of the critics on the Wikipedia entry - it is difficult for small businesses to get certified. Then again, the entire Fairtrade labelling is based on small businesses, so it must be possible to introduce such a thing fairly.)

In other news, I was going to write a rant about BBC Radio 1's decision to censor the word "faggot" from Fairytale of New York, but then the news story went away. I've always really liked that song, because it's about two people who can't stand each other being stuck together on Christmas Day. Can't think why it would resonate with me... If you read the lyrics, the couple are alcoholics and drug abusers, ranting at each other about lost hopes. While I am bisexual and quite aware of homophobia, I don't consider the use of the word "faggot" homophobic in that context. Yes, it's an insult. But no, it's not homophobic - unless you want to add a load more non-existent context to the song to say that the girl is angry at her lover for liking men - rather than for being an alcoholic who wasted his chances!

Also, it makes me angry that Radio 1 suddenly decided to censor a song that they've been playing uncut for 20 years, even more so when the singer is dead and can't defend herself. According to Kirsty MacColl's web site, she did change the lyrics of that part for a recording for Top of the Pops - but that was a pre-watershed programme aimed at teenagers which many younger children would watch! Blah.

Here is a link to the video of Fairytale of New York by The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl, and Stop the Calvary by Jona Lewie, my other favourite Christmas song. I don't know what it says about me that all the Christmas songs I really like (those two & Last Christmas by Wham!) are all depressing. Hmm!

Comments

[ceno.livejournal.com]

I saw on BBC3's 60-second news thing that Radio 1 have backed down on the censorship. Hurrah.

[baratron.livejournal.com]

Yup, that's why I didn't bother ranting ;) That was the non-ranting version of the post. Funny, that I walked around all afternoon telling myself I was going to write a livejournal post about the news, then the news story went away.

Thing is, I can see how the word "faggot" is offensive in other contexts. Just not so much in that one.

Also, I wonder if they now censor Dire Straits' Money For Nothing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Money_for_Nothing_(song))? "That little faggot got his own jet airplane / That little faggot he's a millionaire". The story I've heard about that song (in 1987 or so, watching the video in a school music lesson) is that Mark Knopfler overheard some removal men watching MTV and commenting on the rock stars, and wrote it more-or-less verbatim. I think, being British, he didn't know that "faggot" was an insult at the time.

There's also a song by some 80s band which features the line "diesel lovers in tinsel town". Can't remember who it is, but I do remember the band interview in Smash Hits saying "We liked the sound of the words! We didn't know 'diesel lovers' means lesbians! We don't really have anything against gay women in New York! (sic)".

[kshandra]

Speaking of holiday cards, yours arrived today - thank you! I still haven't managed to get mine in the mail....

[hiddenpaw.livejournal.com]

I shall bookmark those songs as there seems to be very little in the way of actual christmas songs this year.
(Although I shall add to them The Christmas Song which is probably the one that rounds off my personal top three.

[jinian.livejournal.com]

I think the use of "faggot" as an insult at all is homophobic; why should homosexuality be insulting? I agree that it's not being used literally in "Fairytale" -- but my favorite version is KT Tunstall's, where she changes it (http://www.box.net/shared/xbiaqnnjk4), because it just makes me unhappy to hear that word otherwise.

[baratron.livejournal.com]

It's worth remembering that it's still not really an insult in British English. We have 101 words for a gay man - poofter, woolly woofter, bummer, arsebandit to name just four of the silliest. ("Arsebandit" is actually my very favourite swear word of all. It's extremely mouth-pleasing to say.) Here, faggots are either a type of meatball in gravy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faggot_(food)), or a bundle of sticks or herbs to be added to a fire (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faggot_(wood)). Hence the joke in "Good Omens":

Finally the guard's probing intellect found a word he thought he recognised.
'What's this here,' he said suspiciously, 'about us got to give you faggots?'
'Oh, we have to have them,' said Newt. 'We burn them.'
'Say what?'
'We burn them.'
The guard's face broadened into a grin. And they'd told him England was soft. 'Right on!' he said.

maybe I am just humorless today

[jinian.livejournal.com]

You may notice that I took no stance whatsoever on the potential censorship. My point is that, as you say in your original post, "faggot" is an insult as used in the song; I think the use of a word meaning "homosexual man" as an insult is homophobic. The status of the word outside its context, a song whose speakers are in New York, isn't relevant to my experience of the word's inclusion.

("Arsebandit" is actually my very favourite swear word of all. It's extremely mouth-pleasing to say.)

Homosexuality is still not a bad thing! We should make up new fun-to-say swears rather than digging ourselves deeper into an existing problem (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7034649.stm).

[36.livejournal.com]

Radio One were censoring it because it's in the chart (possibly number one) and going to be in the chart show -- a show listened to by lots of kids and on before the watershed. They did also censor the word 'slut' so it wasn't just 'faggot' as several 'political correctness gone mad' slanted articles have strongly implied. Radio One do also censor virtually every rap song they put out and play self-censored radio edits of many other songs.

I don't actually think they should've censored it, just playing devil's advocate. However, I think this is pretty much exactly equivalent to what Kirsty did for Top of the Pops -- it's not censored on Radio Two or Radio Six Music, the stations which aren't aimed at 'youth'.

(The cynic in me thinks they did it as a publicity stunt).

[aardvarkoffnord.livejournal.com]

When at uni, all us LARPers would sing along to this song whenever it was on the radio etc. When it came to the line of "cheap lousy faggot", I would take a bow...