In Parental Advisory, Eric Nuzum's excellent compilation on censorship, he points out that censorship has less to do with defining appropriate expression than it does with defining appropriate people. Nuzum has found an unlikely ally for this view in 50 Cent. As you probably have heard, the rapper/actor, who is still fuming over American TV stations changing the title of his latest single from "I Still Kill" to "I Still Will," has expressed disbelief that no one has raised a fuss over Britney Spears welcoming people to her comeback single "Gimme More" with the phrase, "It's Britney, bitch." It appears we have focused so much of our attention on her parenting skills and driving ability that we've stopped listening to the words that are coming out of her mouth. Given the recent sensitivity to misogynistic lyrics in rap and hip/hop, 50 makes a fair point. Why is it acceptable for a white girl from Tennessee to use the word "bitch" when a black man from Compton would be sharply rebuked? Would everyone sit silent if Spears decided to use Nas' proposed title for her latest album?

The platinum selling artist suggests that if he or one of his peers starting a song by using the word "bitch" they would be demonised. "I guess they have their rules that apply individually to each artist," he says. "Matter of fact, my next single, I'm going to start it (with), 'It's Britney, bitch.'" Fitty may be on to something here. If people get upset, he can simply say, "Oops, I did it again." What's good for the loose should be good for the bad ass.