Fear of Islamic violence has Korean star PSY change lyrics and song title

I want you...to not insult Muslims

PSY, the star of the most popular dance video on Youtube "Gangnam Style" is about to release the much awaited sequel, but Islam is getting in the way.  The title of the new song is "Assarabia", a word in Korean which is an expression of excitement or thrills, and has no connection to anything Arabic or Islamic, yet PSY has decided to change the name and lyrics so as not to "offend" Muslims.

How have we gotten to the point where we have to censor our own language in order to assuage Muslims angst over perceived insults?  Continued protests over words and actions seen as derogatory to Muhammad, Allah and Islam make it almost impossible to not offend Muslims, yet no one questions how a religion said to be tolerant and peaceful can be continually offended.  If PSY is concerned about potential violence from Muslims, he doesn't specifically say, but his decision to change words and title so as to not insult the religion of peace is telling.  Past actions by Muslims must have weighed on the mind of PSY and his reluctance to use a word that is part of his culture and society had to have been a tough one to make.  Artistic expression worldwide relies on an open and free attitude; music is the story of the soul and deserves no self-censorship due to outside pressure.  PSY has placed himself firmly in the camp of fear over function due to a belief that Muslims will react badly, he should stand firm for his right to express himself in a culturally correct manner fitting his position as a Korean pop star, not as a de facto dhimmi who is kowtowing to Islamic sensibilities.

For Islam to demand censorship is one thing, for an artist to self-censor due to fears of violence is supporting what is known as the "Hecklers Veto" where the threat of violence is enough to cancel the expression of free speech.  If artists practice self-censor due to threats from Islam, whether real or perceived, we will have lost the ability to freely say what is in our hearts through the melodies of music.  The words of the Ayatollah Khomeini are coming true in the West; "There is no fun in Islam."

From WPTV March 19

Assarabia, Assaravia, PSY new song: Gangnam Style YouTube video star worried over new song

SEOUL, South Korea -- PSY says he will change the title and lyrics of his potential "Gangnam Style" follow-up over worries it could offend Arabs.

The announced title for the song can be written as "Assarabia" or "Assaravia" in English. It's slang used by South Koreans to express thrills. It suggests no ethnicity or body part, but worries have risen that Arabs might misinterpret the title and find it derogatory.

PSY said Monday on a South Korean social media website that he has decided to change the title. Some lyrics also will change.

After several Korean albums, PSY has promised future work in English but it isn't clear when. The "Gangnam Style" video with its catchy tune and much-imitated horse-riding dance has a record 1.44 billion views on YouTube since July.