During the past few weeks, it feels like society has taken a huge step back in the way we perceive/treat/look at women. As a culture, we are obsessed with beauty and celebrity but mostly surrounding women. How women are portrayed in media? It’s getting old. Seriously.
Women objectified, depicted as sex objects, prancing around topless. Men around them, fully clothed. First it was the explicit video of this stupid song:
Then Justin Timberlake hit a new low with his video:
And yesterday this post just floored me:
There is too much to talk about here, from the issue of objectifying women to people’s crazy and unrealistic perception of beauty and society’s obsession with physical appearance.
In media and advertising, women are projected as sex symbols, or like the recent music videos, merchandise. Sex sells – the more explicit, the better.
While Robin Thicke’s explicit “Blurred Lines” video got booted off YouTube, Justin Timberlake’s Tunnel Vision” didn’t get censored. YouTube said, “While our Guidelines generally prohibit nudity, we make exceptions when it is presented in an educational, documentary or artistic context, and take care to add appropriate warnings and age-restrictions.”
When is the line crossed between “artistic” and “sexual” content? Ok so Justin Timberlake’s video is considered “art” by some. Riiiiiight. BORING would be a more appropriate description.
How many times have you ever seen a music video of naked men dancing? It would look ridiculous. Degrading to men perhaps? Then there are those who respond by saying, “those women chose to do those videos”, or chose to model those clothes. It’s their choice. Does that make it OK?
The blurred line is when women objectify themselves as an expression of their empowerment over men. Does this help or harm the cause? Here are some images of how women have recently been portrayed in media and advertising.
Thank God today for this – for reminding me that there are people out there who are with me.
and this:
6 Comments
I have been SO disheartened about everything too. (And Robin Thicke wasn’t actually “booted” off YouTube seeing as Vevo is a YouTube partner. It is just all smoke and mirrors. Plus the non-explicit Robin Thicke video is pretty terrible in itself).
Seriously. This stuff makes me angry too. Good post.
Thanks Laura, glad I’m not the only one feeling this way. Thanks for clarifying – yes it’s all just for shock value and hits. Terrible.
Furthermore, along the lines of music video censorship, Marina & the Diamonds’ video “How To Be a Heartbreaker” was regarded as too homoerotic to be aired on television music channels (at least in the US) — AND she was told she needed some ‘beauty work’ done, as well! (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/11/marina-and-the-diamonds-beyonce_n_2838354.html has an excellent interview with her). There’s a huge double-standard set for women & our appearance & sexuality vs that of men, and then there are even further issues when we look more closely at how those boundaries break down along lines of race, social class, and disabilities. It’s horrifying.
However, I firmly believe that the tide is turning. The internet & the prevalence of social media isn’t allowing for people to be hypocrites and assholes in private anymore; now everyone’s behaviour, for better or worse, is on display for public consumption. And I think there are a lot of important lessons to be learned from this: we are seeing entire countries rising up against their governments, we are seeing disillusioned voters take a powerful stand and say they must be heard, we are seeing a generation of mothers & aunts & sisters declare THAT IS ENOUGH, WE DESERVE BETTER.
So every time I see shit like you’ve written about, yes, I get angry, and yes, I get frustrated, but there’s also a very proud part of me that says “here is change in action, here is where we make our mark and empower ourselves”. I mean, think about it: could you have written this same blog post 5 years ago? 10? Probably, because sexism and objectification are ageless. But would you have seen these stories without explicitly looking for them? Would they have ever drifted past you in a casual social medium? Nope.
Feminism — more relevantly called ‘humanism’, perhaps, since the prevailing media stereotype of feminist makes it an insult — is taking steps forward. Baby steps, yes, but we have to walk before we can run.
I’m still in shock over what was WRITTEN about Bartoli!? Can’t believe people are that shallow… but shouldn’t be I guess. 🙁
I am guilty of liking these songs, but have never seen the videos (although I have heard of the controversies). As well, I rarely actually listen to the lyrics, I just like the music. I guess I should, as I totally see your viewpoint and feel kind of disheartened about it all as well.
This might be a turning point for my music selections.
🙁
I should be aware of music videos. I try to be an open minded mother… With that being said, I work to keep my kids young and minimally exposed (they are only 5 and 7). As a mom of young girls self esteem and self worth are hot topics. You got me thinking… Thanks.