BBC Radio 1 have announced that they will not be playing the original version of The Fairytale of New York anymore, because some people are offended by the language. A bit odd that a couple of lines that involve people shouting offence at each other should be redacted because they are offensive. They are supposed to be offensive.
Some people have also pushed for songs like “Do they know its Christmas” to be pulled from playlists.
And of course Jingle Bells has a racist past. It has connections to minstrel shows.
Is it time Galaxy withdrew their “minstrel” chocolate line?
Time after time I see cosy discussions about naughty words. I expect one of the pressing things on George Floyds mind in his final minutes was the connection between Jingle Bells and Black and White Minstrels – or maybe it was just “I can’t breathe”.
Are our discussions over “acceptable language” about redressing wrongs, or are they about making s feel good without leaving our armchairs?