Should South Park Get Away With Using the F-Word?

categories: LGBT Celebrities, LGBT Entertainment

Published November 06, 2009 @ 10:07AM PT

This week's episode of South Park was an F-word extravaganza. No, not that F-word. The word "fag," the three-letter insult that has become a staple on playgrounds to tease kids, in locker rooms to ridicule teammates, and in the demonstrations of Rev. Fred Phelps and his church crew to wish LGBT people a one-way ticket to hell.

Generally speaking, it's a word that rivals the "N-word" in terms of vulgarity. Victims of hate crimes have had it scrawled on their body after being beaten or killed. So given it's reputation, is it OK for South Park to air an episode that uses the word so cavalierly?

A little context might help. The episode that ran this week had nothing to do with LGBT people. Instead, it had to do with the characters (kids in a Colorado town, for those who might not have watched it over the past twelve years) taking on a loud motorcycle gang. The kids decide that they want to reclaim the word "Fag," so that it's not considered an insult to LGBT people, but used to describe "inconsiderate douchebags" everywhere. Hence a 22-minute episode on the etymology of the word "faggot" and an effort to change the word's definition in the dictionary.

On its surface, it sounds kind of noble. But underneath the surface, the fact that South Park used the word so frequently this week likely means that more people are saying the word today than yesterday.

The intentions of the creators of South Park weren't to be homophobic. Let's make that clear. There is actually something admirable about trying to dis-empower the most hateful word used to intimidate and harass LGBT people.

But as the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) notes today, good intentions don't always translate into positive news. They make the case that by using the word "Fag" so frequently, and in still a very derogatory context, they are reinforcing its usage by people -- especially young people -- as a means of insulting others.

"The creators of “South Park” are right on one important point: more and more people are using the F-word as an all-purpose insult. However, it is irresponsible and wrong to suggest that it is a benign insult or that promoting its use has no consequences for those who are the targets of anti-gay bullying and violence," write GLAAD. "This is a slur whose meaning remains rooted in homophobia. And while many “South Park” viewers will understand the sophisticated satire and critique in last night’s episode, others won’t – and if even a small number of those take from this a message that using the “F-word” is OK, it worsens the hostile climate that many in our community continue to face."

Is GLAAD right? Or should shows like South Park be given the creative license to say words like "Fag"? Where does that line get drawn in the sand to indicate "offensive material" vs. satire?

All hard questions to wrestle with, but in the end, it may just be easier for shows like South Park to stay away from three-letter words that have tortured the LGBT population for decades.

(Photo courtesy of jekert gwapo's photostream on Flickr.)

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Comments (22)

In all honesty, the first thing I have to say is that its South Park.

The same people that had the super-man actor sucking fetuses dry, sending whales to the moon, as well as other things.

Also, the fact that they tried to do this is admirable, even though it did not work the way they wanted.

Posted by Paul Hockhousen on 11/06/2009 @ 10:38AM PT
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I don't see the problem with the creators of South Park using the term 'fag'. It was not used in an anti-homosexual way and in fact was used to make fun of the very stereotypical people who would be anti-gay - old style biker gangs.

Regardless of the term the LGBT community or any populace sub-group chooses to call themselves, those opposed to their ideology will use the term derogatorily. As an example, through recent history the black community (is it still ok to use the term black?) via its variable spokespeople has tried to get away from derogatory terms by suggesting new ones. The Rev Marin Luther King, Jr used the term 'citizens of color' in 1963, but (if you're not black) try calling a black stranger 'colored' today. The term was usurped and perverted. We've all heard people called 'fag', 'gay', 'homo', 'homosexual' in ways meant to be offensive and derogatory. Unfortunately, it is our responsibility to hold on to the pride of the terms we use to describe ourselves rather than fall into the mainstream and agree that a term we identify ourselves with is now an insult because those that disagree say it is.

Posted by Fred Frankenberg on 11/06/2009 @ 10:41AM PT
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That is an extremely good point. And you're right. We're playing right into their hands when we agree that the terms we use to define ourselves are now insults.

Posted by Paul Hockhousen on 11/06/2009 @ 10:52AM PT
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Exactly. Responding to the term with repulsion only validates and encourages further use of the term as derogatory. Own the term. Be the term. Don't accept being told it is wrong, immoral or unworthy.

Posted by Fred Frankenberg on 11/06/2009 @ 11:00AM PT
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I agree with Fred Frankenberg. I have heard many homosexuals refer to themselves as "queer" or even "dyke" and proud to say it. Kind of a "yeah, that's right, I am gay - got a problem with it?" sort of thing.

I completely support taking these terrible, hate-filled words and turning them around, reclaiming them and using them as fuel against homophobes. If words don't hurt anymore, they've got nothing left in their arsenal.

Posted by Gabrielle B on 11/10/2009 @ 11:10PM PT
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As annoying as it is to hear that word, the fact is that it's South Part we're dealing with.

They do outrageous things and they're funny. I say that we take what we can get from them, since there's no way they're going to apologize for it.

Not to mention they've probably done more to upset the far right than the left, so I say the good makes up for a bad =].

Posted by Manny Garcia on 11/06/2009 @ 12:23PM PT
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The purpose of the South Park won't work because homophobic people will still use the word "fag" for their intolerance. Making the word "fag" fit into another context is a good idea but won't work because that word is commonly used against unfortunately in hate crimes against LGBT people. The use of the word "fag" in that episode borders on homophobia because the word is being used in the episode but that word is associated with homophobic people.

Posted by Edwin Bonilla on 11/06/2009 @ 01:41PM PT
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Your right, the only way to really stop the usage of it as a derogatory term is not for everyone to stop saying it (which won't happen), but for everyone to stop caring about it.

I'm not going to lie, I've used the word fag (a lot) in the same context that they did in the episode.

Posted by Paul Hockhousen on 11/06/2009 @ 02:08PM PT
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Just a quick question, who here actually saw the episode?

I watched it, and found it wasn't offensive at all, and was in fact one of the funniest South Park episodes I've ever seen.

Posted by Paul Hockhousen on 11/06/2009 @ 02:06PM PT
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I saw it. It was hilarious :D.

Posted by Manny Garcia on 11/07/2009 @ 06:36AM PT
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I dont much care for south park so I never bother watching it.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 11/08/2009 @ 02:07PM PT
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I watch it pretty religiously, and liked it, but it wasn't the funniest, or even the top 10 for me. Is it just me, or have they've been going more for social commentary than humor lately? Don't get me wrong, it's still funny, but just something I've noticed.

Posted by Prop Kid on 11/12/2009 @ 08:55AM PT
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I also think Southpark has sent out many consistantly pro-gay messages since its creation. Haven't seen this episode yet though :)

Posted by Greg Goldgof on 11/07/2009 @ 07:32AM PT
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They sent out a lot of messages, they are just in a strong satire.

Posted by Chris Marshall on 11/07/2009 @ 07:11PM PT
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i agree with everybodys comments on this page. and words change meanings all the time.

Posted by teresa desper on 11/07/2009 @ 09:45AM PT
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Kind of like the word civil marriage, Yawh? -nods- Yawh!

I Just saw the episode, it wasn't their best but it got the point across.

Posted by Chris Marshall on 11/07/2009 @ 07:10PM PT
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ok so honestly when i first seen this website about a year ago before the election i thought wow what a good idea...people are really interested in changing things...but now i only look at this site as a place for people to come gripe about stupid things and never get anything done.as everything that was actually a good idea never got started and was only talked about.now complaining about tv shows???? just stupid.stop crying about words and try focusing on real problems.......or not lol

Posted by cody lee on 11/10/2009 @ 03:18PM PT
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Actually, the most misused derogatory epithet is "LAME". It's even used in Saturday Morning Cartoons - in particular I can remember PEPPER ANN, whose theme song featured the line "She's cool / she's not LAME". Even CHANGE.ORG doesn't yet have a section for us - that's how little we matter, at least to the Left.

I wonder how many people even know the origin of FAG, or FAGGOT. A 'Faggot' was a sort of torch, made of a bundle of sticks - which is most likely why the Brits call a Cigarette a 'Fag'. There's also a 'Fagotte' (sp?) which was one of the woodwind instruments.

We get too tied up in words, instead of the intent of the speaker. After all - is it worse to be called a 'Fag' by someone who respects you, or to be called 'Brother' by someone who tries to kill you.

Call me what you want - just don't call me late for dinner.

Posted by Bobby Steele on 11/11/2009 @ 08:02AM PT
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I'm a devout South Park fan, and also super gay. That being said, I was not offended by the episode. Like, at all. And besides that, they've done FAR more "offensive" things! I mean, considering the backlash of this episode, I'm surprised the story arc of Mr/Mrs Garrison didn't start a tranny riot. Or the Les Bos thing? Or Satan being in a homosexual relationship with Saddam Hussein? And it's not like they haven't tackled this sort of "power of words" thing before, with the "n word"; this was just a different take on it.

I'm disappointed with GLAAD supposedly representing people like myself and my interests. It makes me pretty mad to have them attacking South Park, in all honesty, because it seems to me that instead of appreciating what South Park tried to do, they attack a homo-ally. Throughout South Park's entire run, they've been supportive of the gays. And now they're attacked for it.

Hey, GLAAD: Back off South Park.

Posted by Prop Kid on 11/12/2009 @ 09:06AM PT
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Um, that's supposed to read Back off OF South Park. Whoops.

Posted by Prop Kid on 11/12/2009 @ 09:07AM PT
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Words have tremendous power to either heal and/or kill...

We must never underestimate the power of words.

I assure you that the bible thumpers are all too well aware of that power considering how they use it for evil.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 11/17/2009 @ 04:36AM PT
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Words have *exactly* how much power as we allow them to have: no more, no less.

Why do we allow people to take "our" words (gay, queer, even fag) and twist into their own? Why do people allow these words, which were once just innocent, nuetral words, to become so dressed in hate?

People have done the same with the words Muslim and Islam. Those words are completely innocuous, used to describe a religious faith, and followers of that faith; yet, they have taken on another, more sinister meaning. When many people hear Islamic, they think "terrorist". Why? Because we, as a people, have allowed others to twist these words with their own meanings.

@ thomas: You yourself used "bible thumper" as a slur against conservative Christians. But whose to say that these "Bible thumpers" aren't proud of that term?

I say we take the words that are used negatively, embrace them, and turn them into positive words. Why does hate have to win, when love can be so much more powerful?

PS I apologize for sounding so much like a dirty hippie ;)

Posted by Prop Kid on 11/17/2009 @ 10:07AM PT
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Michael is the Communications Director for the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, and previously was Communications Director for Pax Christi USA, a progressive Catholic human rights organization.