regardless of john lennon´s opinion about what he is singing, he is still calling all ¨non-white¨ women niggers; including all irish women. and to sing ¨woman is the slave to the slaves¨ in combination with saying ¨woman is the nigger of the world¨ is to also call, all ¨non-white¨ women niggers and slaves. and in so doing reinforcing racist en classist pejoratives already in use in against them. thereby calling ¨non-white¨ women (including irish women), slaves to the slaves to the slaves. i find this song on that basis not only racist but also classist, and overall contemptuous, whether the song was meant to be classist/racist or nor. nonetheless, i can't believe john lennon would not have thought of the further implications of what he was singing. o, and by the way i find the song sexist as well. its probably all meant as a form of covert racism/classism/sexism. ...sorry john, but somebody had to say it.
@sublime_10, I really respect your opinion, but disagree. If Yoko or another woman had written the song, the question would then become, is it still racist and sexist when a woman sings it? I admit it is a shock to the system when you hear it, but to shock was always Lennon's aim. I don't think it's right to separate his personality, his intentions and historical circumstances from your opinion, in fact, those particulars should influence your opinion. And yes, I understand and agree the "N" word is unequivocally offensive, but he was making a larger point about the social,...
@sublime_10, I really respect your opinion, but disagree. If Yoko or another woman had written the song, the question would then become, is it still racist and sexist when a woman sings it? I admit it is a shock to the system when you hear it, but to shock was always Lennon's aim. I don't think it's right to separate his personality, his intentions and historical circumstances from your opinion, in fact, those particulars should influence your opinion. And yes, I understand and agree the "N" word is unequivocally offensive, but he was making a larger point about the social, economic and political power over women CONTEMPORANEOUS TO HIM—not to you right now—and it was at a time when the abortion debate was underway, with Roe v Wade passed less than a year later (not to mention heightened racial tensions here and in England). I can only imagine, historically speaking, the moment came to a full head as he watched women fighting for their political right in the modern era— just like any "slave" revolution fighting for liberation. Additionally, I think it's safe to assume he was also affected by Yoko's treatment in the media and by fans. Yoko was an avant-garde thinker, and I'm sure she encouraged John's political engagement. IF the song had the effect you think it did, then its message would have backfired, but it did not. You can have an opinion, of course, but it misrepresents the facts behind John Lennon's intention, which is widely understood and accepted today.
regardless of john lennon´s opinion about what he is singing, he is still calling all ¨non-white¨ women niggers; including all irish women. and to sing ¨woman is the slave to the slaves¨ in combination with saying ¨woman is the nigger of the world¨ is to also call, all ¨non-white¨ women niggers and slaves. and in so doing reinforcing racist en classist pejoratives already in use in against them. thereby calling ¨non-white¨ women (including irish women), slaves to the slaves to the slaves. i find this song on that basis not only racist but also classist, and overall contemptuous, whether the song was meant to be classist/racist or nor. nonetheless, i can't believe john lennon would not have thought of the further implications of what he was singing. o, and by the way i find the song sexist as well. its probably all meant as a form of covert racism/classism/sexism. ...sorry john, but somebody had to say it.
@sublime_10, I really respect your opinion, but disagree. If Yoko or another woman had written the song, the question would then become, is it still racist and sexist when a woman sings it? I admit it is a shock to the system when you hear it, but to shock was always Lennon's aim. I don't think it's right to separate his personality, his intentions and historical circumstances from your opinion, in fact, those particulars should influence your opinion. And yes, I understand and agree the "N" word is unequivocally offensive, but he was making a larger point about the social,...
@sublime_10, I really respect your opinion, but disagree. If Yoko or another woman had written the song, the question would then become, is it still racist and sexist when a woman sings it? I admit it is a shock to the system when you hear it, but to shock was always Lennon's aim. I don't think it's right to separate his personality, his intentions and historical circumstances from your opinion, in fact, those particulars should influence your opinion. And yes, I understand and agree the "N" word is unequivocally offensive, but he was making a larger point about the social, economic and political power over women CONTEMPORANEOUS TO HIM—not to you right now—and it was at a time when the abortion debate was underway, with Roe v Wade passed less than a year later (not to mention heightened racial tensions here and in England). I can only imagine, historically speaking, the moment came to a full head as he watched women fighting for their political right in the modern era— just like any "slave" revolution fighting for liberation. Additionally, I think it's safe to assume he was also affected by Yoko's treatment in the media and by fans. Yoko was an avant-garde thinker, and I'm sure she encouraged John's political engagement. IF the song had the effect you think it did, then its message would have backfired, but it did not. You can have an opinion, of course, but it misrepresents the facts behind John Lennon's intention, which is widely understood and accepted today.