I have a big problem with the song 'Blurred Lines'. I listen to Radio 1 whilst I'm driving and whenever it comes on I'm just filled with this sense of anger and frustration at it's inherent sexism. It's usually a particularly tricky point when I can't immediately switch off the radio, but my personal annoyance isn't really the point here.
If you've looked at the lyrics or watched the accompanying videos (I have to say I haven't sat through them because the freeze frame images are enough to anger me) then the objectification of women is obvious. The messages in this video say the complete opposite to the government's This Is Abuse campaign - and guess which has a larger audience...
I fully agree with this blogger that it is essentially a pro-rape song that depicts all women as objects waiting for sexual attention from men. Lisa Huyne says "Basically, the majority of the song (creepily named "Blurred Lines") has
the R&B singer murmuring "I know you want it" over and over into a
girl's ear. Call me a cynic, but that phrase does not exactly encompass
the notion of consent in sexual activity."
I think this author has missed the point in suggesting that Robert Thicke is just inviting the woman to to instigate the activity. Speaking as someone who has been in an abusive relationship, if someone you think you like or love tells you what you want and applies significant pressure by saying the type of person you want to be would do it, that's coercive. Psychological abuse is real and you when someone tells you what you want enough you start doubting whether you know what you want yourself. That's not an equal and respectful relationship.
I know it is not a new or even unusual phenomenon for music to be degrading to women. I'm just extremely disappointed that a mediocre song that got it's popularity entirely from misogynistic videos gets so much airtime on the BBC.
No comments:
Post a Comment