Should TV Land wash Fred Sanford's mouth out with soap?
("Nooo! They're censoring me, Elizabeth! I'm comin' to join you!")
"Hearing the n-word doesn't cause black people to turn into a pile of dust," Shepard writes. "Yes, I admit it is still a word that can start a fight if uttered by the wrong person in the wrong tone of voice. But that's not what we were talking about in the 'Sanford and Son' episodes. There, it's part of an extremely funny joke."
Being fairly virulently anti-censorship, I have to agree: To deny our cultural past is to wish to remain in ignorance. It's useful to understand the way we used to behave and think, and censoring anything invariably gives that message more power than it might otherwise have. Plus, it's kind of fascinating to think that this sort of thing flew in the '70s but we're squeamish about it today, even though there are far fewer things we find objectionable these days.
On the other hand: It's TV Land, which caters to a family audience expecting genteel entertainments. Non-black kids watching the show and not understanding the context and historic underpinnings of the show may not get the joke and unwittingly subject themselves to a righteous beat-down on the school playground the day after seeing an episode. This wouldn't be the same issue were "Sanford and Son" airing on, say, TV One.
Is a compromise possible: Alter the wording when kids might be watching, but don't censor it late at night? Or feature a disclaimer before every episode in which Fred uncorks an N-bomb:
"The following program comes from an era in which the sociocultural climate was far different from our own. Therefore, it contains language and situations that defined that time but may not have aged well for contemporary audiences. We present this program not just as entertainment, but as an historical document that mirrors its day and is not intended to reflect current mores and attitudes. Enjoy - or don't, it's up to you, you delicate little fragile flowers who can't process a word that in the end is just a word."
("Nooo! I just heard the 'n-word!' I'm comin' to join you, Elizabeth!")
Of course, if they do that, everyone will have changed the channel before they finish the disclaimer.
What do you think? Should Fred be allowed to amuse/offend at will, or is TV Land right in protecting the more innocent members of its audience?
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About this blog
David Kronke was appointed Mayor of Television after a bloodless coup in 2000. Since then, he has improved infrastructure, championed greater educational opportunities and fought for reforms that have utterly erased corruption and incompetence from the television industry. Since Mr. Kronke has ascended to power, Television is a far better place.
Kids hear and use worse words that would have gotten my face slapped and my butt beat when I was a kid. You teach children respect and that certain words are not proper or have hurtful connotations. It is up to their parents and if they don't want their offspring to hear Fred use certain words then don't let them watch the show. Parents should be more careful about what their kids watch and they should watch with them, especially shows or movies which might be misunderstood
BLACK AMERICA AND THE N-WORD:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP2U0jmZjec
The word N----R should be eliminated from TV period! If you need a daily dose of the N-Word rent Sanford and Son's DVD. OR better yet, go to any city bus stop, mall or street corner and you will hear the word so many times, you would think royalties were involved. N----R was used to classify and separate a group of people for financial gain. The word N----R was used to de-humanize a group of people. The word N----R was used to put one in his/her place. The word N----R was the last word a slave heard before he/she was beaten. The word N----R was the last word he/she heard before a rope was placed around their neck. The word N----R was the last word heard before they died. And nothing has changed. The word N----R is "not" a term of endearment. It is a word meant to conquer, dehumanize and destroy a group of people of a certain race, economic background, education, lifestyle, etc. Let's stop kidding ourselves. Break the cycle and stop the dysfunction!