I haven't seen to much TV lately, but I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on female performers music videos. I seem to recall an outrage over Madonna's videos; perhaps the idea of a woman objectifying men as sexual objects is more taboo than vice-versa? Do you know of any contemporary female performers whose sexual identity isn't based on submission? From the little I've seen of B. Spears, I think she doesn't qualify here (c.f. the schoolgirl outfit). What ever happened to Gwen Stefani (sp?) ? Not that I ever particularly enjoyed there music, but she at least seemed to have a strong sexual personality. Thoughts?
my reply:
of course i have thoughts on this...i haven't done much actual research into this topic but i would be willing to bet money that the majority of these videos where women are 'objectified' are directed by men and directed with a specific message in mind. to me it says the following:
'woman, if you look like this and act like this you can have any man at your service and you can treat him however you please...you must first however, rope him in with feigned innocence and well placed breasts; men, these women are hot, you should go jerk off keeping the madonna/whore fantasy in mind (pigtails always help) and then go buy her album for your girlfriend!"
it seems to me to be not about woman dominating men or objectifying them it seems to be reconfirming that men want that madonna/whore dichotomy...'a lady on the street but a freak in the bed' (and i think it was usher said that one...)
also, the majority of these teen pop idols' songs are written by men...or co-written with professional song writers to guarantee big hits. Even, miss avril 'i'm so punk and write all my own songs' is co-writing with some of these professional pop writers now...
are there any contemporary female performers whose sexual identity isn't based on submission?
if there are they are few and far between. i racked my brain this afternoon trying to think of someone in the mainstream who doesn't seem to be afraid to express herself simply the way she is and all i could think of was nelly furtado because she made a video when she was pregnant.
Gwen Stefan? Five years ago i might have agreed but now that she divides her time selling clothes, makeup and sex while (co-)writing some of the worst songs in recent memory i would have to disagree...
it's too bad that a good majority of people will never hear about Kathleen Hanna or Beth Orton or...whomever...even ani difranco...it's not like she's a household name yet either.
the other thing that strikes me funny about all of this is that no one seems concerned that men are objectifying themselves in the same way. Only they're reinforcing, through the images they present, the misogynistic stereotype of the 20-ish year old male. It isn't cool just to be a nice guy who treats women well and doesn't feel compelled to write songs about gang bangs or money...
this is only a small chunk of the reason why i think traditionally defined gender roles are bullshit...
tip of the iceberg Kevin, but this is great fun!
alice, etc...
1 comment:
Your comment about men objectifying themselves is interesting. That idea gives an interesting reading of the "cash, booze, women" hip-hop stereotype; here men are required to provide commodity-based evidence of self-worth. This valuation loses sight of basic worth of humanity and disenfranchises the "everyman". It highlights a huge problem in our society - people on the bottom seek to become oppressors rather than to eliminate oppression.
I'm also interested in this "madonna/whore" dichotomy. I hadn't thought of it until you mentioned it, but our society devalues anyone who strays too far in either of these directions. It's either "ice queen" or "queen slut". In essence, our society has no acceptable place for female expression of sexuality; the only way we view female sexuality is in its relationship to male perception. Perhaps this is starting to change with programs like "The Vagina Monologues". While I've never seen this performed, I'm under the impression that it is intended as a female discourse of female sexuality.
On a more music related note; I've noticed that in the past many male performers valued "intellect" as musical skill; e.g. jazz musicians value complicated harmonies, rappers value complex rhyme schemes. However, these "intellect" based musics have been traditionally male-dominated. I'd be interested in learning about "intellect" based music performed and created by women. Any suggestions?
I'll see if I can find some Kathleen Hanna and Beth Orton, too. You were right - I've never heard of either.
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