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Photo of the Day, November 24, 2009: Hook, Line, and Sinker
Photo of the Day, November 25, 2009: Boston as seen from the harbor
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When the last of Boston's famous "banned in Boston" city censors died in April of 2003, and Sunday liquor sales were finally allowed in November of that year, Bostonist thought our town's reputation for prudishness might not be long for this earth. But a story in today's Globe reminds us that there are still plenty of folks in this Commonwealth who have the time and energy to get worked up over excessive naughtiness.
It seems that parents and school administrators are on high alert, hoping to keep DJs at proms and other school dances from playing songs with dirty or suggestive lyrics. A Boston teacher quoted by the Globe says that the "problem" has worsened in her 20 years of chaperoning, but Bostonist is not so sure: we seem to recall a 1988 song by Too Short that graphically described an occasion on which Nancy Reagan (!) did not just say no to a tryst with the rapper. At least 50 Cent's "Candy Shop" (singled out for scorn in the article) has the decency to use a (transparent) euphemism.
Photo courtesy of Flickr.com / user: Space Cowboy
Of course Bostonist can understand why parents and educators want to protect the tender ears of their young charges (although the adults quoted in the Globe's story seem to concede that the students are already familiar with the banned songs). But is this really a battle that needs to get re-fought every few years? Teen pregnancy and birth rates are down nationwide over the last decade, with Massachusetts ahead of the national average. According to a recent state government study, 59% of Mass. high-schoolers have not had sex at all. Could it be that the proliferation of racy music is actually part of the solution? (Don't ask us how, but we like the idea.) Bostonist just has to wonder whether all of this concern for the kids might not be put to some better use.
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oh no, Boston will have its lame reputation at least until bars and clubs can stay open until 4. ben affleck alone has set us back at least 5 years.