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Is "Aramsamsam" a Racist Children's Song?
A musicologist weighs in on whether Helene Fischer's children's song "Aramsamsam" is racist, examining its lyrics, movements, and historical context.
German
Germany
EntertainmentEducationMusicCultureRacismChildren's Songs
Helene FischerNepomuk Riva
- Is the song "Aramsamsam" racist?
- The song "Aramsamsam" is complex; its use of a fantasy language playing on oriental languages could be seen as mocking, and the accompanying movements mimic Muslim prayer, which is considered by some to be disrespectful and inappropriate in a pedagogical context.
- Is the canon "C-A-F-F-E-E" still sung in schools?
- The canon "C-A-F-F-E-E," with its potentially offensive lyrics, is still found in some children's choir collections, highlighting the lingering presence of problematic material in educational settings.
- Should songs like "Aramsamsam" be removed from educational settings?
- The researcher suggests considering alternatives to songs like "Aramsamsam" in educational settings to create a more inclusive and respectful environment, acknowledging the historical context and potential for harm.
- Are there initiatives addressing potentially racist children's songs?
- There are initiatives focused on reviewing and potentially replacing problematic children's songs in educational settings, but "Aramsamsam" hasn't been specifically highlighted by those contacted by the researcher.
- Are there empirical findings on bullying due to supposedly racist songs?
- While there are anecdotal accounts of children with Arab backgrounds being bullied due to the song, empirical evidence is scarce due to underreporting of such incidents among children.