Now don't go saying “WOAH chicks be crazy” We realize it's TV and so who cares what they get away with it won’t personally affect us, but at the end of the day how is it affecting our society?
While many people are able to differentiate between television and reality, the bigger issue at hand are those who can or make light of the situation. Because in society today, it is still very much considered to be the victim’s fault for being raped because she/he [and yes, guys do get raped] was wearing “scandalous” clothing or was walking down the wrong street. We see this throughout popular media as well, especially in music.
Case in point: Katy Perry.
“Last Friday Night” is one of Katy Perry’s latest hit singles. The song is centered around a crazy party, where Katy cannot remember what happened the night before. The song opens with “there’s a stranger in my bed” and later asks “is this a hickey or a bruise?” What people often don’t realize is that she could have been raped the night before. By law, consent cannot be given when under the influence alcohol. So legally she couldn’t have agreed to any sexual interactions while drunk.
While you could claim that that is reading into it a little too much, just take a look at her other song “E.T.” The Kanye West version is blatantly talking about sex and, during one part, rape. Kanye raps “I’ma disrobe you, then I’ma probe you, see I abducted you so I tell ya what to do.” How can that be construed in any other manner than rape? He is basically saying that because he “abducted” her, he gets to tell her what to do and forcing her to have sex with him.
The problem with songs like this is that it is making light of a serious situation. Girls sing along to this song without realizing the deeper and darker meaning hidden beneath it’s brightly-colored pop music exterior. By portraying rape in this manner and showing that the perpetrators can get away with it with no more than a slap on the wrist [and the actress's love and devotion a few episodes later], it is no wonder that more cases of sexual assault are not reported.
Kimberly & Deb
Note: Do not be mistaken, this is not the same argument as Grand Theft Auto leading to violence. It may parallel it on some level, however, we also have faith in mankind to not be so manipulated to lose their ability to recognize the difference between reality and virtuality. It's more these songs and TV manipulations work into grey areas of life unlike the blatant violence of Grand Theft Auto leading to blatant violence.
While many people are able to differentiate between television and reality, the bigger issue at hand are those who can or make light of the situation. Because in society today, it is still very much considered to be the victim’s fault for being raped because she/he [and yes, guys do get raped] was wearing “scandalous” clothing or was walking down the wrong street. We see this throughout popular media as well, especially in music.
Case in point: Katy Perry.
“Last Friday Night” is one of Katy Perry’s latest hit singles. The song is centered around a crazy party, where Katy cannot remember what happened the night before. The song opens with “there’s a stranger in my bed” and later asks “is this a hickey or a bruise?” What people often don’t realize is that she could have been raped the night before. By law, consent cannot be given when under the influence alcohol. So legally she couldn’t have agreed to any sexual interactions while drunk.
While you could claim that that is reading into it a little too much, just take a look at her other song “E.T.” The Kanye West version is blatantly talking about sex and, during one part, rape. Kanye raps “I’ma disrobe you, then I’ma probe you, see I abducted you so I tell ya what to do.” How can that be construed in any other manner than rape? He is basically saying that because he “abducted” her, he gets to tell her what to do and forcing her to have sex with him.
The problem with songs like this is that it is making light of a serious situation. Girls sing along to this song without realizing the deeper and darker meaning hidden beneath it’s brightly-colored pop music exterior. By portraying rape in this manner and showing that the perpetrators can get away with it with no more than a slap on the wrist [and the actress's love and devotion a few episodes later], it is no wonder that more cases of sexual assault are not reported.
Kimberly & Deb
Video courtesy of KatyPerryVEVO
Note: Do not be mistaken, this is not the same argument as Grand Theft Auto leading to violence. It may parallel it on some level, however, we also have faith in mankind to not be so manipulated to lose their ability to recognize the difference between reality and virtuality. It's more these songs and TV manipulations work into grey areas of life unlike the blatant violence of Grand Theft Auto leading to blatant violence.
WHOA, CHICKS BE KRAAAAAAZY.
ReplyDeleteNo, but really. I think that the media is imposing all sorts of terrible things into the susceptible minds of young people (and slightly older people who have been conditioned since childhood to be complete and utter media whores) at a constant rate, and it disgusts me.
I think that describing the scenario reflected in her songs as rape might be a bit extreme, but it's definitely going along those lines. There aren't necessarily bits saying the supposed sex was forced, but Americans are living in a culture that (historically) thrives off of male dominance and I think this is another way to help bolster that quality. In some weird twisted way, I think it's showing girls/women that it's okay to be dominated and to make bad decisions and be taken advantage of. If Katy Perry is sexy and is promoting it, I'm sure that there are going to be millions of teen girls and young women seeking validation and self-worth who are going to dive straight into scenarios that a lot of people might consider demeaning, for the sake of trying to be as sexy as Katy Perry. Media outlets geared towards young men have the same effect, making men more machismo and power-seeking.
I'm wondering if anyone else has had similar interpretations, or if I'm just a crazy, thinking-too-deeply chick too.