To no surprise, Rihanna’s “Pour It Up” video is causing an uproar among some female activists.
Several days ago, Dr Helen Wright, a former president of the Girls’ School Association, urged parents to stop their children watching the video.
“No matter how much people may talk about its artistic merit, it nonetheless objectifies and therefore demeans women by casting them in the mould of whore,” she said.
“Parents should object and do their best to prevent their children from seeing it; even better would be for Rihanna herself to recognize the responsibility she has as a public figure to promote positive and healthy images of women, and to stop selling out, under cover of ‘art’, to commercial interests which demean women.”
Miranda Suit, of Safermedia, a charity that campaigns against violence, sex and bad language in the media, added: “Rihanna has sold out completely to the commercialization and objectification of women’s bodies and their sexuality. And now she’s promoting it to girls and boys.”
I’m starting to struggle w/ some of the feminists’ plights more and more.
Is this video being released on the internet-only truly a threat to young girls and women? For true lovers of Rihanna, this song is now stale and they’ve probably heard it a million times at this point.
I’m not sure how times Rihanna has to voice that she’s not a role model or her critics before we all agree that she’s not a role model. It’s almost like the feminist’s group are using her name to obtain additional recognition. To continue to finger-point at Rihanna is like beating a dead horse. Their complaints are falling on deaf ears and appearing more and more opportunistic.
Ironically, I’m starting to feel like feminists are attempting to control my thoughts and actions. I’m getting the impression if I don’t shun what they shun and behave within certain parameters I too am part of the problem eating away at society.
Based on my demographics, I assume that I’m a part of their target audience. I’m young, educated (BS, MBA, CPA). I live independently. I’m a heavy participant in my community.
I personally am not that offended by Rihanna’s “Pour It Up” video. Sure some pieces were pretty raunchy, but there was a little admiration on my part when I watched certain scenes. There’s no denying that some of the women are aesthetically pleasing and I happen to know that type of pole movement takes incredible strength.
So does that make me less of a women? Does my taste make my judgment questionable? Have I sold out?
There’s almost this underground movement that feminists aren’t even aware of going on. It’s women taking control of their sexuality and saying “Look at me. I’m beautiful. Men you want it and you can’t have it.” Most of the people who truly enjoyed this video were women. If you read the boards, they were far more boisterous than their male counterparts.
I can’t deny that the oldest occupation alive will always be there and yes this video does allude to that. However, there’s a definite movement of women enjoying their own bodies and allure. Can’t that be described as feminism? Or does it have to be within the parameters that Helen and Miranda create?
What I would like feminists like Dr. Helen Wright and Miranda Suit to do is go find some real issues in lieu of waiting for the next Rihanna single to drop. This internet video is long hanging fruit and not the primary driver in real issues impacting our young people.
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