So I seem to be doing a lot of thinking about WMST at the gym, but today I was pondering patriarchy while pumping some iron and the song “sexy bitch” came on my ipod. I usually skip this one because it makes me feel uncomfortable but for whatever reason today I let it play through and listened closely to the words. The line that struck me was, “I’m trying to find the words to describe this girl without being disrespectful” which leads into the chorus. Now the best thing that David Guetta and Akon could think of to tell the girl they think she is a good dancer is “Dam you’s a sexy bitch.” Check out the song here.
Your (and my) first reaction would be an insult to music today, or these stars specifically but after reading Johnson’s chapter, I can see that these men have been socialized to think in this way. This is not to say they can only think about saying shes a “sexy bitch” but that it is a path of least resistance. They comment more on her sexuality than her ability, which relates closely to what we discussed in class last time. It is also interesting that they use the word “bitch” because as Johnson discusses how the bitch was originally was Artemis-Diana, goddess of the hunt. Now when a woman assumes authority in a hunt she is usually considered a bitch. In this song men take authority over the dancer’s talent but do use the word bitch with a powerful connotation.
The rest of the article was interesting and worth understanding but it does not give an acceptable solution to the problem it poses. His discussion of political action as a way to change the system, I believe was unfounded. Laws literally define acceptable social norms and political action changes laws. Now legislation on ideologies is difficult to pass, but it is one understandable and effective solution. I understand it is not meant to be a manifesto, but I need a little bit more excitement and engagement if I am going to try to fight “the system” he defines.
I agree with Regan’s comment about the Frye article, that the whore/virgin dichotomous role that women can fill is frustrating. However, Frye seemed to be ranting as opposed to offering real solutions. She came off as a frantic, crazy woman, not a woman with legitimate concerns. While her issues were important, she did not present them respectably and therefore lost all legitimacy. Women like Frye discredit the conversation around a social movement.
Lindsey,
ReplyDeleteYour gym example is a great one, and offers a more nuanced reading of raunch culture generally, I think. Yes, we can criticize the artists/"perpetrators," but we also need to understand that they are reflections of a much broader ideological system. I also appreciate your points about the necessity of legal action; as I hope I conveyed in class, this is a valuable strategy that shouldn't be discarded out of had.
I think Lindsey’s example of Akon and David Guetta’s song perfectly embodies Johnson’s article. They are “trying to find the words to describe this girl without being disrespectful,” which most rap songs don’t try to do. However, the only thing they can come up with is “damn she’s a sexy bitch.” It is the path of least resistance, even when they attempt not to be offensive they cannot escape it. It is a reflection of the patriarchal system we live in. As Professor Simonson notes, we should attempt grassroots organizing, but also combine it with legal action. While legal action doesn’t always immediately cure a situation it can push the country in the right direction and aid their development. Such was the case with Brown v. Board of Ed where the Supreme Court made segregated schools illegal and segregation had to end with all due speed. This caused schools to change when the world didn’t end many people got over their racist ways and accepted each other. Thus, sometimes the law is necessary to give people a push.
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