11 Popular Songs You Didn’t Realize Are Actually Racist

They’re catchy…and offensive

broken record on red backgroundPutting words to music can lead to immortality. Unfortunately, not all sentiments expressed in songs deserve to live forever. Systemic racism has been known to work itself into music, via lyrics that promote unflattering racial stereotypes and uphold the ideals of White supremacy by “other”-ing Blacks, Asians, Latinos, Muslims, Native Americans, and various other historically marginalized groups. In evaluating a tune’s capacity to offend, it’s important to differentiate between neutral cultural reference (The Bangles’ 1980s hit “Walk Like an Egyptian,” a nod to the stately poses in Egyptian mythological art, not living, breathing Egyptians) and cultural devaluation wrought by racism. There’s plenty of the latter going around, and it might be playing on a radio near you right now. Here are some popular offenders you may not have realized were problematic. Once you’re up to speed, find out which everyday expressions are racist as well.

The post 11 Popular Songs You Didn’t Realize Are Actually Racist appeared first on Reader's Digest.



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