N-Word allowed?

[SKEEphistAKAte]

Originally posted by Dedicated2Delta
I don't think they even thought about that issue. But then again, whether or not the radio station edits it or not, "non-ethnic" people are the main ones buying the cds. So if they started using the N-word(as far as we know, they could be using it now), I guess we really couldn't blame it on the radio station at all.

You're right, we couldn't blame it on the radio station but they would try to. Could you imagine a "non-ethnic" kid testifying on the stand with a black eye and swollen lip saying "I thought it was ok to say it. They say it all the time on the radio."

At least on the cd's they have warnings. People tend to think that radio and public television are "safer", that the censors don't let "bad" things be broadcast. Go figure.

[BirthaBlue4]

Originally posted by Dedicated2Delta
Many of the people who called felt that the radio station has a responsibility to look out for the best interest of its young audience.

*Not for the quoter, but the persons referred to*

Well, my thing with that is...what music that's "popular" today is really suitable for young listeners anyway? I mean, short of maybe Hillary Duff or somebody, what on the radio does the young audience need to hear in the first place? More than likely, this station is not playing Hillary Duff, but Missy, Jay-Z, Ludacris and the like, so name me ONE song that a young person SHOULD be listening to off of their CDs. So, its ok to play the song about "da life", hoes, and materialism as long as you bleep out the n-word???? Is that really more important than the rest of the song?

"If you feelin like a pimp, n---a, gon' brush yo shoulders off", without the n---a bleeped is wrong, but its ok, if you bleep out that one part? What about the middle finger to the law, and the husltin?

I think for a lot of Black people, racial "respect" is more important than perosnal integrity.

[Conskeeted7]

Originally posted by BirthaBlue4
*Not for the quoter, but the persons referred to*

Well, my thing with that is...what music that's "popular" today is really suitable for young listeners anyway? I mean, short of maybe Hillary Duff or somebody, what on the radio does the young audience need to hear in the first place? More than likely, this station is not playing Hillary Duff, but Missy, Jay-Z, Ludacris and the like, so name me ONE song that a young person SHOULD be listening to off of their CDs. So, its ok to play the song about "da life", hoes, and materialism as long as you bleep out the n-word???? Is that really more important than the rest of the song?

"If you feelin like a pimp, n---a, gon' brush yo shoulders off", without the n---a bleeped is wrong, but its ok, if you bleep out that one part? What about the middle finger to the law, and the husltin?

I think for a lot of Black people, racial "respect" is more important than perosnal integrity.

I can definitely agree that this issue of the n word will bring about a much larger response than when other 'curse words' were allowed on radio. I think I was the only one who made a fuss about using a** or d*** on the radio. I thought it was completely inappropriate.

However, I do have to say that the n word is a little different. It's like hearing the word spic on a Latin station. They just wouldn't go for it, so why should we?

Sure, the songs on the radio are often of poor moral quality. But how songs get played and artists get exposure is a bigger process than what goes on at the station. So, sometimes the only thing the station can do is bleep out the words, because they have to play the songs.

[AXEAM]

Playing devil's advocate I feel that if many of these people don't have a problem w/the artist using the word to make money then they shouldn't have a problem w/the station playing the uncensored version of the song to increase ratings and profits. The station in effect is just giving the people what they want.

[SKEEphistAKAte]

Originally posted by AXEAM
Playing devil's advocate I feel that if many of these people don't have a problem w/the artist using the word to make money then they shouldn't have a problem w/the station playing the uncensored version of the song to increase ratings and profits. The station in effect is just giving the people what they want.

That's the thing. I think someone else said, many people who would never go into a store and purchase a cd with these types of lyrics DO listen to the radio. I think that I can even venture to say that some people tolerate the radio versions because at least those versions are edited. Playing the unedited version on the radio, kind of, "forces" those people (who otherwise would not choose to listen to such lyrics) to have to hear those lyrics. Mind you, I am using the word "forces" quite liberally, as if they don't like the lyrics they can just turn the station.

I hope I made my point clear. I'm tired today.

[Eclipse]

Originally posted by SKEEphistAKAte
That's the thing. I think someone else said, many people who would never go into a store and purchase a cd with these types of lyrics DO listen to the radio. I think that I can even venture to say that some people tolerate the radio versions because at least those versions are edited. Playing the unedited version on the radio, kind of, "forces" those people (who otherwise would not choose to listen to such lyrics) to have to hear those lyrics. Mind you, I am using the word "forces" quite liberally, as if they don't like the lyrics they can just turn the station.

I hope I made my point clear. I'm tired today.

This is so true. I am knocking on 40's door, and I rarely listen to "popular" music these days. If I do it is typically in the morning to get the celeb gossip. Well, I would frequently enjoy the song by (I think) Ludacris "Move, get out the way". The radio station left it at that. Imagine my suprise when I realized that there was a word that was beeped out! I never knew!! I was truly embarassed that I had even "enjoyed" the song on the radio.

I agree that it does not have to be an "either/or" thing in terms of saying that these songs are not acceptable. I'm not going to buy a Ludacris CD, and I don't want to hear him saying the "b" or "n" word if I just happen to be listening to the radio.

It's funny that this is becoming an issue with all of the backlash from the Janet/Justin Superbowl Boobiegate. I thought the FCC was trying to bring decency back to the airwaves!

[Dedicated2Delta]

Originally posted by Eclipse
I thought the FCC was trying to bring decency back to the airwaves!

I was thinking the same thing! Which is why I am so surprised that they will be allowed to get away with it. I also listen to a station out of Indiana and they don't edit the word @$$ out of the music. I haven't heard them say anything about not editting the n-word......yet.