Hi Dave, as mentioned, it’s historicity requires contextualisation.

On your second point - ‘if I knew it to be wrong’ I wouldn’t be writing it. Is your point that hate crime legislation, as well as the procedures of organisations, are determined by the loudest and most outspoken?

Are you also suggesting that ‘the collective’ in a folk context is keen to hear raciallised language, or at least apathetic about it? I think we might both be from Lancashire. I’ve been to singarounds and sessions all over the county, in cities, towns and villages. I don’t recall any where the use of the n-word would not be likely to be declaimed and rejected by the majority.