Before continuing this blog post, I would like to warn you
that the video I have attached the link to is explicit, as well as a nominee
for multiple VMAs, including music video of the year.
I am sure that all of you have heard the extremely overplayed
song “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke. Admittedly, this song has a catchy beat,
which is unfortunately accompanied by some inappropriate lyrics. It is not
until I truly listened to the lyrics and the meaning behind this song that I
became deeply disturbed by what I interpret to be the meaning of the song. As
the title “Blurred Lines” suggests, Thicke sings about the fine line between
consensual sex and rape, practically saying that the line is, in a sense,
subjective to the individuals involved in the act aka the “blurred lines”. This
deeply troubled me because it takes such a serious case such as rape and
encourages a scapegoat by giving an excuse of “blurred lines.” As the lyrics
explain, if the girl is attracted to the guy and intrigues him in a sexual manner
then that must mean that the girl wants to engage in sexual acts with him. This
video features three men, Thicke, Pharrell, and T.I., following around scantily
clad women, depicting the man in such an empowering role over the female,
showing the females in a purely sexual manner as the men encourage them to have
sex with them, which can be seen in the lyrics of the song, specifically in the
chorus of the song. As a side note, in an interview by GQ, Thicke has made jokes about degrading women, saying he has never done it before so it is fun to do in this particular song. He has also countered that statement saying this song helps to redefine the feminist movement.
Chorus:
I always wanted a good girl
I know you want it
I know you want it
I know you want it
You're a good girl
Can't let it get past me
You're far from plastic
Talk about getting blasted
I hate these blurred lines
I know you want it
I know you want it
I know you want it
But you're a good girl
The way you grab me
Must wanna get nasty
Go ahead, get at me
I know you want it
I know you want it
I know you want it
You're a good girl
Can't let it get past me
You're far from plastic
Talk about getting blasted
I hate these blurred lines
I know you want it
I know you want it
I know you want it
But you're a good girl
The way you grab me
Must wanna get nasty
Go ahead, get at me
I also thought the explicit version of this video was
important to look at due to the fact that these women are topless and wearing
nude colored underwear, making them appear fully naked to the audience. I
thought this was intriguing considering the discussion we had on Tuesday about
women around the world showing their empowerment by openly breastfeeding their
children and taking their clothes off in order to protest acts performed by the
government, as well as demonstrations that degrade women. So where does this
video come in? How does this video effect the movement when so many females try
to gain empowerment by showing their bodies and the power that their bodies
hold? This video seems to take power away from the females, giving the power to
the fully clothed males in the music video. Since this video was nominated for
three VMAs, how will it affect the outlook people hold on these feminist
movements such as Femen?
Link for the song lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/robinthicke/blurredlines.html
I wonder if many people will connect this video to radical Feminist movements, like Femen, at all. Even though clothes are taken off during Femen protests it is not done in a way to 'sell sex' (or get VMA's). Instead, statements are being made about inequalities. Nevertheless, I remember watching this music video and thinking, 'my god where has feminism gone?' Maybe the Blurred Lines music video has effected the day-to-day lives of feminists. Possibly the video has given feminists more fuel to add to the fire of fighting inequality.
ReplyDeleteThis one is hard for me to talk about because it actually just makes me sick to my stomach. Yes, it's incredibly important for men to be involved in the feminist movement, but I mean really Robin Thicke, you're redefining the feminist movement, by what objectifying women in the same way it's been done for years, and promoting some pretty iffy sexual morals? I know I've read that he's said something along the lines of "oh we're all married with children now, so that's why we're in the best position to make this" like the "I have black friends, so I'm not racist" argument. Also, if you're making fun of the degradation of women through satire or something, aren't there better, more original ways to do that? So I'm sticking with that was an attempt at covering his butt for the backlash that came after making that song. But maybe I'm not giving them enough credit? gahh...it is pop culture after all.
ReplyDeleteI just watched the Blurred Lines feminist parody and it is awesome! As I was watching it, I couldn't help but to think: I bet most people who watch this parody think it is hilarious and quite ridiculous. It is ridiculous to people only because the roles are reversed, and that is very disturbing to me.
ReplyDelete