Each Christmas, discussion about Fairytale of New York is as certain as a mid-afternoon food baby, an argument over the roast potatoes and a Boxing Day hangover.
In case you’ve been living under a rock, The Pogues song – which is among the most beloved Christmas tunes ever recorded – is considered offensive to some people because its lyrics include the homophobic slur “f*****”.
Lots of people, particularly gay men, think that the word “f*****” has no place in modern society. The song was released and recorded in 1987, but times have most definitely changed.
Now, the BBC has come under fire for airing the word during the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special as the song was being sung by characters on the show. This has reignited the debate over the offensiveness of the lyric.
Why is this word so offensive?
The word “f*****” can be extremely hurtful to gay people, in any context. Many have had it shouted at them in public or at school. It has often been the last word many people have heard during homophobic attacks. Reports of hate crimes have sharply risen in the last five years, so this problem hasn’t gone away.
Why do people have an issue with the song?
Many LGBT+ people take issue with the glee with which people seem to scream this particular lyric – almost like it's a treat. But there’s also a strong and often angry reaction from the opposite side when it’s suggested that the lyric should be censored in public places, on the radio and pre-watershed.
Of course it’s an old song. But times have changed and if a vulnerable group of people are offended or upset about something, shouldn’t we listen?
Why are people annoyed with the BBC?
In this context, the word “f*****” is obviously a part of a song lyric, which complicates things. In this instance, the lyrics are also being sang by fictional characters too, which complicates things further.
Gavin & Stacey is a family show which aired at 8pm, so it doesn’t seem unreasonable that LGBT+ people would find a homophobic slur being watched by millions of people, including children, fairly distressing.
James Corden, who wrote the show, claims to be an LGBT+ ally. So many people are disappointed with his inclusion of the word.
Why has this turned into such a culture war?
The debate over the slur taps into an ongoing culture war that’s been going on for some time.
One side thinks those offended are “snowflakes” or “politically correct gone mad” who are looking for any excuse to be outraged and take the joy out of things. Whereas those who are upset about it, to varying degrees, just want people to understand why words like this are hurtful and why they matter.
It’s worth noting that a very small number of people want the song banned, just censored in certain contexts.
On social media, people have been sharing their reasons for being upset with the BBC.
well done for writing the word faggot into your script you inconsiderate pair of cunts x https://t.co/lwtZfgv80O— Liam (@Liam) 1577308871
I just had this conversation with my family, the point isn’t what this word means now or what the word meant then,… https://t.co/deFWBDL5th— Liam (@Liam) 1577309456
everyone knows that over the last 4/5 years or so there’s been talk about whether or not to censor the word faggot… https://t.co/ZKe9wMDUix— Liam (@Liam) 1577309531
there is more to the world than your fucking blinkered cishetero ‘everyone is a snowflake’ rhetoric— Liam (@Liam) 1577309689
Last night the word f**** was broadcast into millions of people’s homes during Gavin & Stacey. Enough of this conversation. (1/4)— James Barr (@James Barr) 1577353589
The word ‘F****t’ has been shouted at your gay friends and family during opposition, oppression and beatings. It’s… https://t.co/MdZl8SoVZ1— James Barr (@James Barr) 1577353589
will never understand why people celebrate singing the word “f*ggot” in Fairytale of New York, considering the word… https://t.co/fla6mzjJuo— Scott Bryan (@Scott Bryan) 1577308153
But others still aren’t getting it…
@imjamesbarr It wasn’t aimed at anyone ffs it was a lyric that has been in a song long before I was even born! Grow… https://t.co/UZQnJ7z0Tx— daniel murphy (@daniel murphy) 1577354444