This week, along with packing (just 1 week left in Bristol!), I’ve been delivering training in anti-racist practice via Zoom. It’s a weird thing discussing race online. I’m one of those people who likes to read body language, who needs to sit in silence occasionally and pause before contributing, which can be difficult when the connection is wonky and there’s a 7 year old kicking in the spare room door.

In the session, we spoke about language, the words that describe our diverse identities, our complex histories, and multiple allegiances. Language is transformed through time, and words that were deemed offensive in the past are now used in everyday speech by people who were once targeted and oppressed by the very same words. The N-word is a good (and contentious) example – an old, racist insult, which is used colloquially amongst some black people and widely in hip hop music. This type of linguistic reappropriation, where a previous slur is adopted, and through repurposing, emptied of its ferocity, is seen across loads of minority communities – words like ‘crip’, ‘queer’, ‘bitch’ and ‘dyke’ are a few common examples. I do wonder though, in this most profane of years, with so much fear, tension and uncertainty ahead of us, if the use of the P-word in a pop song has tipped a bunch of us over the edge.

Now, just to prove how swiftly words can change meaning and cause offence depending on whose mouth they come from, let’s imagine someone stroking their cute pussy cat. We can say that, right? No-one passed out. But change the context, and let the rage begin.

Cardi B and Megan the Stallion made a song, WAP. It’s hip hop, the raw and overtly sexual kind. I’m not  really a fan, but decided to watch the video, mainly because folks were calling it outrageous, vile and just plain wrong. I read lots of opinion in papers, reviews and on social media, and have to say I was surprised. Yes, the video was edgy and graphic, but anyone calling it pornography obviously hasn’t seen a lot of pornography. The lyrics were explicit, but not dangerous as some commentators were stating. Two women talking about having (and liking) sex – why is that dangerous? Like I said, I’m no fan or apologist for the bump and grind reverie that features in so much hip hop/pop these days. What I find interesting is the level of anger and disgust levelled at these two artists, when so much of the pop industry is a facsimile of this booty shaking formula. I think it’s partly in the use of language – the P word, particularly with it being described in active sexual terms, and also the refrain of ‘Whores in the house’, from a 90’s sample. The word ‘whore’ or ‘ho’, slang for prostitute or promiscuous woman, has been used in hip hop for decades, and there has been debate over whether it demeans women, but I can’t remember anyone passing a petition my way to ban Snoop Dog from the radio. My personal view? It’s not my vernacular, and there’s no one in my world who would dream of placing it in a sentence when talking to me. I come from a family who didn’t swear at each other and have spent a large chunk of my life around church folks whose skills in the self-censor arena are legendary. But they’re also good at moral outrage and panic, with voices questioning Cardi B’s parenting skills (sexual and a mother? Impossible!)and opining that the women are evidence of some evil, secret mission to corrupt our daughters. (Flashback to late 1980’s: no one has told me that women are allowed to enjoy sex. It’s something that men do, and that women receive. Mid 90s: I have met more than a few ‘sanctified’ men who have exorcised their demons on me.) I’m more worried about Trump and his pussy grabbing antics than Cardi B and hers. The song and video, I would argue, is clearly aimed at adults. (It’s interesting how many men watched the whole video, for *ahem* research purposes.) Its message is unapologetically about grown-up fun-time, and as such, should perhaps be reserved for the post 9pm audience, and come with a 10 second earmuff warning.

You see, I’m not immune from these pearl-clutching speculations. I remember when Little Mix released their ‘Black Magic’ track back in 2015, I was horrified by the messaging. Here’s how you transform your ‘plain’ teenage self into something worthy (sexy) enough to get the attention of a boy who has previously ignored you. Watch the video. I felt sad that in the 21^st century, these very young girls were being presented with the idea that they would have to change, in such a narrow way, to be accepted. And Little Mix’s audience is little girls, primary school age. Perhaps there was wide-spread outrage, but I managed to miss it on Twitter and Facebook.

Enough now. All this sex talk is distracting – I’ve got ornaments to wrap in biodegradable bubble-wrap.

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