What happened to our wholesome, American family values? |
Actually, I'd like to argue that it isn't. At least, not all of it.
Yes, I would prefer it if we (in this case, being the assumed, generalized population of America) were more concerned with world news and the possible threat of a new war. But the fact that we, as an audience, are so obsessed with one twenty-something's performance has a lot to say. About our country. About what we value. And about how that conversation is developing in some fascinating and, I believe, vitally important ways.
For anyone who has been following the "War on Women" over the past few years (okay, centuries, but I'm talking recent legislation), the conversation about women's sexuality, agency, and a push against slut- and victim-shaming is crucial to how we respond to the world around us. As one of my fellow grad students pointed out, it's unlikely that the fallout would have been anything near as absolute if the offender had been, say, Drake or Kanye. Little has been said about Robin Thicke's participation in the duet, except in relation to Cyrus's agency. After all, boys will be boys.
The conversation has also raised up the voices of women of color, as in one black woman's response about how, in their rush to defend her right to her sexuality, white feminists completely ignored the blatant misappropriation of black culture, and the objectification of black, female bodies.
Cyrus's performance has also opened up conversations about any number of non-feminist topics, such as The Onion's bitingly comical summary of the interplay of publicity and "news," the objectification of child and teen stars, and a great deal of commentary and criticism about (what else) Americans' obsession with celebrity gossip.
I'll admit, I'm looking forward to waking up and seeing a stream of posts in my newsfeed that have nothing to do with VMAs, twerking, or the Cyrus family. But however much we want the conversation to change, I think it's important to note that it's these exact, uncomfortable, and seemingly-repetitive conversations that are the foundations of social change.
I doubt that Miley Cyrus's performance is going to bring about sweeping reforms in how we view celebrity, women, or race. But I do believe that, whether anyone intended it or not, she has become part of that discourse...and we do ourselves a disservice if we shut that down.
Lady,
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see your writing again.
Your roommate from "Troy"
;-)
<3 <3 <3
DeleteI've missed it. Time to see if I can keep it up.
*sigh* yes. THOSE types of conversations are important. I just...!
ReplyDeleteI'm not happy with this logic. I really want to find a strong flaw, because our culture is already too celebrity-centric, and the conversations really have more to do with celebrating celebrity than they do discussing social change; youtube is filled with videos of women and men twerking and worse. So maybe this is a case of "any harbor in a storm"? or maybe it's "every cloud has a silver lining".
Whatever it is, I would agree (with my very intentionally limited knowledge of the MC situation), that these discussions are important and deserving of our attention, even if the celebrity who is bringing them into discussion is receiving way too much of our culture's attention.
I understand. And I don't actually disagree with you. But I also don't think finding the silver lining is necessarily a bad plan.
DeleteArguments are rarely won with blunt-force. (Kind of like how I've always wondered about people who make "God Hates _____" posters. Who do they think they'll be persuading with that?). Shouting for quiet in the middle of a media-bred-shit storm is a little like spitting in the wind. It's legit...and I actually agree with you. How much attention does one, small performance really need?
But that won't quiet the "masses." And it, maybe, misses an opportunity that we have.
It's a small opportunity. Maybe it's not even a particularly likely one. But I don't like inaction, and the conversation is happening, so this is my take on how we can possibly use it for....a launch pad, I guess, if not necessarily "for good."