Go C------e Yourself

While driving to work today, I heard a fun little ditty from my youth, "Bonita Applebaum" by A Tribe Called Quest. I was confused, however, when one of the words was edited. Radio DJs censor 'explicit' lyrics in popular songs, but since when does one have to scratch over 'prophylactic?' 

 

It sounds more clinical than dirty. Why expurgate it especially when STDs and unwanted pregnancies are still endemic social problems, particularly in urban, ethic communities - precisely the demographic which listens to hip-hop stations? 

 

In context, the lyric goes, "And if you're with it, I got crazy prophylactics." How does this promote promiscuity? If anything, the lyric suggests that the woman has a say in matters of sex and is not an object and that the man is responsible for birth control and disease prevention. As far as rap lyrics go, it is very tame and mature. 

 

What is more puzzling is that 'jimmy hat' or any other euphemism for condom is not edited in rap played on the radio. Why permit the street argot and censor the proper term? Though petty and slight, this is indicative of a benevolent, priggish ignorance on the part of radio management or even the FCC. Continued prurience, textual misinterpretation, and inconsistent editing of terms infantalizes the subject of sexuality. Moreover, such censorship insults listener intelligence and sensibilities. Time for craven PC types to realize that such a move has the adverse effect of irresponsibility to the public and to the arts.