I am not a person who would ever use the N-word. While I don't support the recent revision of Huckleberry Finn that excludes the N-word, it is not a word that I would typically use in my own writing and would never use it in conversation.
But I have a problem.
What if the word is used in a song?
Up until this point, the question has been mute. The use of the N-word in music is typically restricted to hip hop and rap, and I am not a big fan of either genre. I am also been opposed to the consistent use of vulgarity in music, seeing it as an easy and cheap way to heighten the emotional quotient of a song.
But now I have a problem. Despite the vulgarity that infuses most of Cee Lo Green's F-You, I love this song. I think it is funny and honest and almost perfect, and the recent remixes of the song that remove the profanity are neutering and terrible.
For once in my life, I find a profanity-laced song incredibly enjoyable.
But the song also includes the N-word.
So the other day I found myself singing along to the song in my car when I came upon the verse that includes the N-word.
Was I supposed to stop singing?
Should I have replaced the N-word with a palatable alternative, as has been done in the recent edition of Huckleberry Finn?
Should I have bleeped the offensive word out?
Should I simply never sing the song?
What is a white guy to do when he wants to sing along to a song that includes the N-word?
I'm stuck.
Published on March 22, 2011 03:23