Holiday Disputes

(Photo Source: National Post)

ISABELLA BRANCATO, WRITER

In the recent weeks, Cleveland radio station “WDOK” banned playing the holiday classic, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” The song has been accused of being about date rape, in which a man is luring his date to stay longer and to not go outside in the harsh weather.

The female part contains lyrics about getting home to her family, while the male responds with questionable lines such as, “mind if I move in closer?” and “gosh, your lips look delicious.” The song also suggests that the female counterpart has been drugged in the lyric, “say, what’s in this drink?”

This has caused much controversy with this year’s #MeToo campaign. Since “WDOK’s” ban of the song, multiple radio stations nationwide have done the same.

Since the controversy began, people have been pointing out other Christmas songs and movies that contain inappropriate remarks. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” which the Hollywood Reporter recently claimed “most beloved holiday film,” has been accused of encouraging bullying and being sexist.

People have criticized the 1964 claymation movie for encouraging bullying because at the beginning the story, the other reindeer do not let Rudolph play their reindeer games or do other activities with them because his nose is unlike theirs.

It has also been called sexist because when Rudolph’s mother insists on coming with the others to search for his missing son, Donner replies with, “This is man’s work!”

Love Actually has been accused of being sexist, as well. In the movie, the president advances on Natalie. David sees this happening, and instead of siding with Natalie, he blames her for it happening. Audiences called attention to the scene for suggesting women are to blame when advanced upon.