Gaga Get Your Gear On!
August 30, 2010 by Snezna
Filed under Featured, Role Models
I’m not sure if I missed some monumental shift in society that deemed clothes an option. But, if the fashion chronicles of her ladyship Gaga are anything to go by, it would seem that less is more when it comes to a day at the baseball match, concert performance, hanging out at a concert or just shopping.
Is it just me or is it a tad weird and plain ridiculous to get out an about in your bra and panties???? Does the lack of clothing make you more creative? More of an artist? Ummmm..don’t get it!
Recently she fronted up to a concert in a la Bridget Jones grandma panties over which she threw a pair of holey fishnets and, on top, a fish net top with strategically placed stars over her nipples. Did she look good? She looked like a crack head hooker. Seriously!
Memo to Gaga, when the high priestess of style, Coco Chanel, espoused a less is more mantra by telling women they should take one thing off before leaving the house, she meant take one thing off not leave ONE thing on. Just in case you’re confused about the fashion advice Gaga, I’d thought I’d try and clarify!
I just don’t get it. There is no doubting that she is immensely talented, has an amazing voice, and is creative. But, when does being creative relate to almost getting your bits out in public?
Gaga, due to the fact that you are in the public eye and your general appeal is with young people, it is not a far stretch to suggest that you have a little bit of an obligation to getting your gear on!!!
Projecting crack whore chic is not exactly sending the right message out to young girls (your main fan base), is it? You know you are a fashion icon and public figure. Are you saying hey, getting out in your knickers and covering your boobies with just a little star over your nipples is cool?
I get you’re an “artist” and you probably think is another means of artistic 
expression. But can’t you be expressive in this way in your bedroom? I reckon if I legged it around town in my underwear I’d be arrested!
And, fact is young girls take inspiration from you. Ok, the fashion translation may not be literal….as in I hope to God we don’t start seeing girls out there in the streets in fishnets and not much else! But we see girls in teeny shorts and bottom grazing skirts. Hell, the other day I saw school girls in completely transparent leggings….as in I could clearly see their knickers and even the size tag of said leggings!!!! I almost said: “Excuse me dear but do you realize everyone can see everything as your leggings are totally transparent, but stopped myself as the thought crossed my mind that this was the intention and look they were going for. Where do you think they get their inspiration from?????
I am not taking on the mantle of fashion police. Trust me I don’t have the fash cred! And, I think it’s great when girls have the confidence to rock their own look….but getting out in public nearly naked is neither fashion-forward, artistic or creative. It’s about using sex and your body to get noticed and get ahead.
Why is that in 2010 women still need to rely on sex to sell, despite the fact that they have the talent to kick arse? Have we seen Bono of U2 resort to getting around in his underwear? Mick Jagger? Jason De Rula, P Diddy, Usher, Jay Z? Any of these guys feel the need to get their gear off? See them out and about in only their underwear??? Ah, nope. Why not?
Because men do not need to sexualise themselves in order to get ahead. They never have had to and definitely have no desire to. Whoooooaaaa!!! Have we not moved forward at all in the sexual revolution, girls? If women still feel the need to be portrayed as totally sexual creatures…and let’s face it, if you are out and about in attire that would only be deemed normal at a strippers’ convention, one could surmise that you are trying to sex it up.. If that’s the case, then where have we come and where are we going?
Lily Allen’s Fear sums it up: “And I’ll take my clothes off and it will be shameless. ‘Cuz everyone knows that’s how you get famous” – sad but true. Ask most young girls what they want and fame is top of the list. They are obsessed with fame and celebrity and sadly and aptly Lily is too right….get your gear off or release a sex tape and suddenly you’re in the spotlight, earning millions. .
I am not laying the blame at your weirdly attired feet Gaga, but, your get up got me thinking about how can we expect young girls to value themselves and their qualities when their daily exposure and consumption is about seeing sex sell, be cool and the way to get ahead? It is frightening just how many steps back are being taken in women being treated as equals. And it’s not men pushing us back but other women who feel the need to use sex to get ahead!
Bring on girls who truly rock based on their talent and not shock value or their sexualisation. Who is a good role model for girls today? Let’s profile and praise these women who get ahead based on talent …period. Let’s promote these positive role model and get that sisterhood spirit ignited to push this pop culture pornification off the map.
I do adore Gaga’s music and performance artist style approach to her art – but I DO wish that being naked or nearly naked wasn’t this required part of the act. As you say, young girls take this sort of thing verbatim. Look at the Madonna copycats of the 80s. It wasn’t about being a sexually liberated female for many of them – it was simply about being like Madonna, which meant you showed your tummy and your bra.
It’s not about blame but about responsibility – of the artist to be aware of what they’re putting out there and of parents and other authority figures to be sure young people understand the boundaries of artistic expression.
I agree with your overall message that she needs to cover up some, although I found the crack whore comments to be judgmental and misogynist and that is no message to send to young girls either.
I know, I was thinking the same thing. Arguing for women to value themselves while calling one who doesn’t dress the way you’d like her to as a “crack whore”? How empowering! A+
Maybe I am the last person on the planet, but I dont like her fashion”sense” and I dont like her music. Thats it.
When I was pulling the images for this post, I’ve got to say, I was kind of shocked. I get Lady Gaga’s deal, and in some ways she is postive….but c’mon, does she have to do all these sexual photo shoots?? Its one thing being nude, its another implying sexual acts.
The second image with her behind some woman is rather disturbing, I mean, what is a young girl to think when she sees that? Cripes, I don’t even know what I think.
The sexuality thing is just totally over the top, Madonna did it too with that silly “SEX” book (if you have not see the pics, Google it, there’s a few with a dog, one with Marky Mark that still stick out in my mind, and I think “what does her daughter think??”"
All of this just makes me sad, some say I am a prude, but I will take modesty and class over this BS anyday.
mV
I actually think GaGa IS being artisticly expressive, and yes bold actions like these do make a statement. True, she is entertainment but that’s not all. Weren’t there naked sculptures since the time of the Romans? And for what reason? Art.
As for the younger audience, we aren’t going naked to WalMart right now. We aren’t even smoking and gathering in California for more naked parties. What we wear has not dramatically altered between “Poker Face” and now. If you take a look at our attitude, I think you should look at the narcissistic epidemic. Look at Jersey Shore. Look at what’s happening today…GaGa doesn’t preach any of that, just to accept yourself. She makes that statement..
I
AM.
I am, whether I’m gay, naked, unstylish or just making music…reaching out to a fan. A fan who is lost.
Hi Teresa Lynn: I am with you — but what about the more graphic sexual side? Let’s look at picture #2 in this post for example.
What are your thoughts on this — good, bad or indifferent?
Thanks!
mV
Picture #2 is from Esquire magazine. Anyone here let their 12 year old girls read Esquire? This magazine regular publishes pictures of mostly nude starlets for hetero male consumption.
So the point about her preaching self-acceptance and then being willing to objectify herself for the male gaze is definitely valid, but I don’t think it’s fair to use an Esquire spread to demonstrate how she is or is not a role model for young girls.
When she has performed in prime-time events, she’s been significantly more clothed.
And her actual music lyrics aren’t exactly appropriate for kids, anyway, so I think it’s a little fair to expect her to fit into a clean little “role model” box just because she hit a point and got famous enough to warrant it.
*unfair, I mean
The second photo. To answer the question, my reaction was a chuckle and the thought “only you, GaGA.” But is there a limit on how sexual this woman should be?
I personally don’t believe much in the word “should.” Afterall, who can tell what’s wrong and right? My concern is that other artists may attempt to take in a notch further as well. It being the sexual content. This would not be the same if they have no messege, as art is but delivering one. And it puzzles me where we would go from here.
If we were to limit what GaGa can and cannot do, would we be better off? And what about others who were also passionate, but driven to do things not 100% of us couldn’t accept? Is GaGa similar to
Also, I think this could be so shocking because our society tends to fear the subject of sex. It’s something to hide away. We’ve got all these crappy radio stars that strike out in rebellion with fearless naughty lyrics. We can’t tell the difference between art (with real purpose)and filth(lust). I wonder if other countries that are more open about sex (Japan, for instance has a holiday for fertility in which a giant penis is carried through the streets) have these issues…when I lived overseas I didn’t really hear “oh dear!” so much with things like this.
Just thoughts.
Addition:
-similar to, say Frida Kahlo, who without editing herself of “flaws” sent the messege, I AM BEAUTIFUL. GaGa’s is about the same &with a twist: WE ARE BEAUTIFUL AND RAW.* Obviously, with another style, time period and approach.
-It’s either good girl or bad girl with sex today. I can explain if you’d like.
*RAW: Honest. When we express ourselves wholeheartedly and love ourselves no matter how different and alienated.
Teresa I agree. Ladies, get of your high moral horse. Nudity is of all times and perfectly natural. If you want to teach your daughters something useful teach them to be NOT afraid of their own naked body.
Like Theresa shows like ‘Jersey’ Shore creep me out far more than any naked but could ever do.
Brrrr
Thanks for all your comments! I don’t have a problem with nudity either but the point I was trying to make is why? Why does someone who has talent feel the need to use sex? We don’t see male artists do that, do we? I can’t think of one male singer that is prancing about in underwear or partaking in photo shoots straddling another male. My point, surely the women’s movement took us away from this type of attitude to getting ahead? It’s not being moral, it’s about trying to shift the focus from women as sex objects to being valued for their talent, their skill, their beauty, or whatever it is without having to put them into a box. And trust me young girls are definitely confused. I know girls who consider a blow job the equivalent of a necking session at parties they go to! Don’t tell me that they’re not getting mixed messages on using sex to get what they want! And, they are inundated with these images. Just a few weeks back outside the Beverley Centre in LA there were 3 billboards – each onefeature half naked women, one with a blatant sexual suggestion of two women about to get it on, another a young girl naked on a swing advertising a clothing brand, and the other a woman in what looked like the throes of orgasm, legs spread advertising shoes! It’s not about being moral it’s about equality. When we start to see men portrayed in advertising in this manner or getting out and about half dressed, then I will be happy to say…well that’s just the way it is! But, when it is blatantly sexist, I have an issue. I speak to young girls constantly as a result of my work, and they tell me that they feel confused, they feel pressured to sex it up, they have low self esteem….the list goes on. I feel the need to give them a voice and raise these issues. And Tessa, you are right….girls should love and embrace their bodies and not be ashamed of their nakedness….but they need to know that their brains and talent are what they should be putting out their not their bodies! And they do look to role models like Ga Ga and think…if it’s ok for her….
As a side bar…the picture of Ga Ga that got me going was not any of these photo shoot shots on this site but one of her at a concert in torn fishnet stockings and top, with gold stars covering her nipples…not a photo shoot, not her own performance, just her out and about doing her thing. Still begs the question…why? Google ga ga in fishnets at concert and you’ll see what i’m talking about and would love to hear if this is artistic or simply opportunistic …ensuring a pap shot and more publicity?
This smacks of slut shaming to me. Should women feel that we must use our sexuality to get ahead? No, of course not. But that doesn’t mean we should be criticized or shamed if we do choose to emphasize our sexuality. And there are men who use sexuality to sell (singers like Enrique Iglesias come to mind), though yes, the cultural weight is different.
I agree with Tessa; we need to teach children that naked human bodies are nothing to be afraid of, nor are they inherently sexual.
YES YES YES to meems! Thank you for using the phrase, ‘slut shaming’! This post was a personal, prudish rant with little to no real integrity as far as creating a base for discussion was concerned. Snezna merely ranted on a subject she finds personally discomfiting, without providing any real, compelling evidence that Lady Gaga’s dressing habits are our business in any way. Personally, I believe that girls’ “role models” are much more likely to be the people they come in direct contact with. Everything is an influence, but stop acting like Lady Gaga is the final word in what girls aspire to be. She is post-feminist, true, and whether you agree with that or not is a valid debate, but harping on her “gear”, as you so affectionately term it, is merely an abrasive and pointless pursuit. This was Snezna posting for Snezna’s pleasure.
.C.
I feel compelleed to responed as I don’t believe in starting a debate and not weighing into it. There is no slut shaming here. I am not discomforted by nudity or sexy dressing, and if you knew me at all, would know prudish is not me. I say yes to chicks who look sexy, who ho rock their own look!
The point I was tryig to raise is why rock a wearing barley any clothing look and with sexual overtones? Enrique Iglesias? Hardly a comparison…I don’t recall ever seeing him in bondage gear, straddling another guy????
My point very simply is …why in these times can women not get by on talent alone? I agree that your role models should be those around you – your aunts, mother’s friends, mom…Reality is most girls look to celebrities for their role models. I know this because we conducted a survey of 1,000 teen girls and they listed celebs as their role models. And the celebs that topped the list at the time…Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton and Mischa Barton.
And, yeah, I guess am I posting for my pleasure…. it gives me great pleasure to raise debate around those things that I know are impacting on the self esteem of young girls and women. It is something that I come across daily with young girls and that I feel totally passionate about. I have to say I love Lady Ga Ga’s music, I love that she is pushing the boundaries in terms of being her own person…I just don’t get why she has to it nearly nude.
I am with Snezna 110%.
Give me a break — no, I don’t respect the fact that Lady Gaga is demeaning herself by humping another woman in bondage clothes.
Nudity? -fine, personal choice. Not my personal choice, but its a free world. Would I prefer to see rockstars do their gig with funky, cool clothes on? Absolutely.
Using your sexuality to get ahead? Don’t respect it, don’t do it, in fact I downplay it.
Sexuality praised as “talent” or “art” is a pile of crap in this circumstance. She is a talented woman that has so much going for her, it is disappointing for her to go down this path.
C and Meems: Do you happen to have daughters?
“Slut Shaming” is a new term to me, but I’ll admit it –I shame sluts. You call it being a prude, I call it having class.
mV
I’ll admit it –I shame sluts. You call it being a prude, I call it having class.
This is the most vile thing I’ve ever heard. You should be ashamed of yourself. I find it absolutely reprehensible that you openly admit to judging other women based on their perceived sexuality. Nowhere in my post did I call you or Snezna a prude, but I’ll certainly say that you are dangerously judgmental.
If a woman chooses to dress provocatively or sleep with a lot of people, it is none of your business, and openly shaming her for that behavior is disgusting. Worse, many women who are slut shamed haven’t acted “sluttily” at all. Women’s sexuality is seen as an easy target when people want to hurt, malign, or otherwise do damage to another person. I’ve been victim of this, and it is hugely emotionally damaging.
Slut shaming isn’t about being a prude. It’s about blindly buying into a patriarchal system that demonizes women for enjoying our sexuality. Read about it: http://finallyfeminism101.wordpress.com/2010/04/04/what-is-slut-shaming/
Whether I have daughters is irrelevant. I am a woman and I came of age when Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, and Christina Aguilera were on upward trajectories. I came of age with Dirrrty (or whatever it was) and schoolgirl sexuality. I have friends who are younger. My personal experience isn’t irrelevant because I’m not a mother.
@Snezna – Maybe shirtless men in tight leather pants aren’t your thing, but to me that’s highly sexual and actually does reference BDSM culture.
Thank you for saying everything I was just thinking. I’ll admit that I used to have the same ideas about being sexually extroverted, until I read that very link you provided. Now I have a whole new take on female sexuality. I am not not sexually provactaive because I am in a commited relationship and I like to leave my body and sexuality just for him, but I definitely do not judge others if they want to put it out there. That is cool with me if that’s how they want to be.
Now to answer to question of why Gaga is “slutty”…I’m going to have to say that is probably because she can be. She has a right to be and I think that it may possibly have to do with the idea that it is racy and it gets peoples’ attention. It sells. It gets a reaction. It turns on some people, and pisses off other people, so love it or hate it, you are still pay attention to it. It works, basically. If I were a singer, it’s not the way I would go in the approach to selling my work, but like I said, it’s her choice and choice is what feminism is really about, right?
“Slut shaming isn’t about being a prude. It’s about blindly buying into a patriarchal system that demonizes women for enjoying our sexuality.”
Read it.
Get it.
And its a GIANT leap from what we are even discussing here.
When it comes to body image, I have expectations for individuals in the public eye. Lady Gaga has huge influence, and she can be nude, be sexual in her poses and expressions, whatever, but I think it goes way over the line when she poses in bondage clothes humping a woman, or man, or whatever. Why is this necessary? Why should I support this?
The comment about kids not reading the magazines these images appear in is invalid, since I found this image in 2 minutes searching the web, and trust me kids from age 5 up are loving her and looking for pictures of her. Do you want to try explaining this to your child or niece?
As far as patriarchy goes, I get your point that society shames women, while applauding men for sexual behavior. But for me personally, I have the right to say “this is over the line” whether it be a man or woman. I don’t think this somehow makes me any less of a feminist. In fact, the opinion that a woman has more power being modest, making strides in her life with her skills rather than body, to me is more feminist than the opinion a woman should use her body to get her where she wants to go.
To reiterate — women have a right to express their sexuality however they would like to, but when you are in the public eye you have a certain responsibility when your talent appeals to children and teens.
mV
I have to say that I see your point on this as well. Some of what I am going to say might seem really contradictory from my last comment, and maybe is is, but I just have to say it, as I am still exploring the issue and figuring out exactly where I stand as well.
Ok. Some people would argue that celebrities should have no moral obligations to be what the rest of society sees as “a good role model.” However, I am having a personal insight on this since I am budding in a certain industry where I am to be considered a “public figure” and I already feel like I want to set nothing but good examples everywhere I go. That aside, I think all human beings that are adults should be held responsible for being good role models, celebrities or not. As an adult, I feel like there are certain things that I should just not do in the company of children, and I think photographs like the bondage one in particular would definitely be inculded in the things that I would feel are inappropriate. You would see a photo like that in a men’s magazine and it would be normal there because it is targeted for an adult audience, meaning no big deal. But taking that same image and targeting kids is a big deal to me.
Some people have already told me, on other websites, that this is just my prudish, old fashioned way of thinking and that I live in a bubble. They say kids today are not as innocent as they used to be and we should just accept that they are being exposed to sexually exlicit images and ideas younger and younger, but I am NOT going to accept it. There is a point where I will draw the line and say that it is not acceptable, and I really don’t give a crap less about how times have supposedly changed. I am a firm believer in that children should be children and that it should be preserved and maintained until they reach the appropriate age. A childhood is precious and it saddens me that so many kids are wanting to grow up faster and faster and what is certainly not helping are certain sexed up role models.
Then, some people might say that it is the parents’ responsibility to make sure their kids are looking up to the people they think are good role models, like themselves maybe, or someone else not as provactive as someone like Gaga. This, I agree with in part, but I still imagine it could be hard for a parent to control who their kids are looking up to, unless they lock them in their room.
You wouldn’t act this way in front of kids…
Assuming you aren’t a celebrity, this doesn’t apply. Unless you play the same role as GaGa. &Who said she was for kids anywho?
There are a number of factors that can contribute to innocence loss, if in fact it is lost. There was a time when children were not considered innocent period. They were miniature adults. Society believed it. Society today now might project an unrealistic ideal of the child. Purely “innocent.”
But don’t give in until there is proof.
&Babies having babies is not proof, that’s been going on for some time.
A factor I feel strongly about is hormones in the food. The growth hormones given to farm animals that shoots in our childrens’ vains.
Anywho…Who said GaGa was for kids?
Should all media be censored away?
Should we watch G rated shows?
Monitor everything?
Never speak our minds?
Well, that’s just as superficial as glamorous naked ladies in a rap video.
You’re mixing up a number of different commenters here. I never said anything about magazines, nor did I say that you are somehow less of a feminist.
I’m also uncomfortable with your apparent acceptance of “vanilla” sexuality while drawing a line at bondage gear. It’s just another way of demonizing sexuality. And why should it matter who is humping who? This is about more than just Lady Gaga, regardless of how outspoken she is.
All of the above. To everything you’ve said. I wish I could put it so clearly and eloquently.
If Lady Gaga wants to walk around without any pants on, more power to her. I’ve always seen her not as “Oh hee look at me I’m sexy aren’t I?” like so many other pop stars. Rather, she seems to have taken a look at the command of You Must Be Sexy, and went “Oh yeah? WELL WATCH THIS, EVERYONE” and proceeded to take it entirely over the top. Up to 11 and through the roof. It’s an aggressive, performance for the sake of performance sexuality. I feel inspired by her to respect my body and respect my spirit and respect my weirdness. Me, with my rolls and my body hair and my dozens of imperfections and anxieties, I’ll be the first girl in line when she finally has a concert out my way, in a wig and fishnets and craft store felt and sparkles, one of her “Little Monsters”. For me, this is a goddamned personal revolution. And having her boiled down to “well she’s just some slut in her underpants” seems, to me, to be missing the entire point of what Gaga is and what Gaga does.
I think it’s the way she gets herself noticed. Guys don’t have to get their gear off to sell their craft, but women are expected to. They have to be “hot” and “sexy” and it’s sold as empowerment, but how is being expected to take your clothes off to be noticed empowering?
I think it’s more an ability. Sex as control over man.
Not that it is always neccesary.
(Ihate spelling the word necces..ugh!)
I love it that so many have had so much to say on this. And, I’m getting back on to say that sleepydumpling….you get it. That’s all I’m trying to say….why do women have to get their gear off to get noticed or be empowered and men don’t? And to add to Ashley’s update. Do I want my 9 nine year old to see this…no, but she has. Not because I let her buy into soft porn magazines but because Gaga is everywhere and she loves her and she sees this. She also watches MTV and sees a constant parade of women being portrayed as sex objects. I recall when she was about 6, rolling around on the ground. I asked her what she was doing and she said dancing!!! Yup, most dancing on music vids these days tends to involve a lot of rolling around on your back…go figure! Do I stop her watching MTV…no, as she loves music. So, that’s where these celebs have a responsibility to get the right messages out to girls. And absolutely, positive role modelling starts at home. Would I rock up to the shops in barely there gear…def not!! Do I dress “prudishly” def not. I love wearing the latest fashion – not a stranger to ripped jeans, or mini-skirts! Girls emulate moms and so as a mom you have the ultimate responsibility but at the same time you would hope that you can be empowered to speak up about those external influences that may have a negative impact. You would hope to show your kids that true empowerment comes from having positive self esteem that gives you the confidence to speak out and stand up for those things you feel strongly about. And, finally, each to their own, if you want to use your sexuality, for whatever reason, go for it, that’s your personal choice. But when it’s up for mass consumption and exposure and young girls can’t escape it, and at a time where low self esteem is the biggest issue facing young girls…that’s when I feel the need to get the conversation going!
Your kid watching MTV is your problem. Don’t act like she won’t be intellectually functioning if she happens to see an ad.
Music is art.
If you love her, you will
Prepare her
On how
To take it.
It’s a good idea to get her interested in more positive, encouraging genres. Even instrumental. Mainstream sucks &turns you into a mindless vegetable anywho. Sit her down and listen to the Beatles together.
Teresa, her music is the type that draws in kids and teens more than people in their 30s. I’m sure it was probably not her intention to do that though, but that how it happens with that particular sound of music. I mean those Kids Bop CDs have covered several of her songs already, so you know kids are listening to it.
I don’t think all media should be completely censored, but I do think recording artists should take a little more responsibility with the message they are sending out, and I think this is true of every day common folk as well. We can speak our minds as we like, but why in front of children? I am the type of person that I don’t cuss, drink, smoke, or talk about adult related topics in front of kids, but I do as I please when none are around, so it’s not like I am a trapped in a G rated bubble all the time. I think too many adults just don’t give a shit, and I think that is terrible.
As far as slut shaming, if we want to go there, Lady Gaga has stated several times she doesn’t sleep around and advocates celibacy because she’s too focused on her work (which isn’t healthy, but that’s another topic). Her dressing in barely-there outfits may just be a cathartic way to release sexual tension, in part with shocking people and getting attention.
When she first came out, she was covered up more. I suspect as she got more famous, the clothes came off because she figured she had more power musically, to what she wanted. There are some singers who own their sexuality, like Gaga and Madonna. Then there are the other ones who seem to go through the motions and we think they’re being exploited by an image-obsessed music industry, such as Britney and Christina in the 90′s, and now Miley Cyrus.
Personally, Gaga running around in torn fishnets and glitter pasties isn’t so much as shocking to me but boring. When she does cover up, like she did on the Today Show wearing a white pantsuit, she became a lot more interesting. Of course, it’s not me to tell her what she can wear. I do love her music though, so she can wear a Hefty bag if she pleases.
1st of all how can we applaud lady Ga Ga when she believes co-caine is choice to setting goals and it teaces our children to take risk to be all you can be. Yes she was ohnest but to what measure I will not judge her but feel she has been given a pass to damage young children she need to have a sit down and get to the truth and then we can honor that is this a cry for help. this is not a good look Lady GAGA…cookiesaid.
With deep respect, may I offer a few counterpoints to some comments?
One refrain that comes up often in these types of discussions is one of “it’s her art” and “we cannot judge another person’s ‘artistic expression’” and “who are we to judge?”.
On the surface that sounds reasonable. Artistic expression. Being non-judgmental. Yes, reasonable and open and accepting.
I am going to say something that sounds harsh but is not meant to be: We cannot be so open minded that our brains fall out.
We must be honest with ourselves. When you want to be exposed to real art, you go to a gallery or museum or exhibition, you do not pick up Playboy. When you want to be exposed to artistic dance you go to the ballet, or maybe one of the avant garde street dancers on stage or a tribal fusion exhibition. You do not go to a strip club. When you want artisic language, you pick up a classic novel, not flip to the forum section of Penthouse.
We DO know the difference between nudity as art and nudity as sex. We know the difference between a “bare baby bottom” photo taken at JCPenny and child porn. We KNOW the DIFFERENCE, even if we do not want to admit it.
We must think. We must reason. This is why girls are so behind the power curve in our society! They are taught “sex and emotion” not “reason and logic”. It is not sinful or intolerant to say “Honestly these pictures are about sex, not music”. For example, Gaga is a singer…what do any of these pics ACTUALLY have to do with music at all? Nothing. Seriously. It does not change the tempo, the rhyme, the lyrics of her music. AT ALL. I do not look at these photos posted and say “WOW, what a great use of newspaper clippings! I bet she is a GREAT singer! I think I will look up her MUSIC”.
No. We are allowed to use our brain, to discern spectacle from art. We are allowed to evaluate someone’s acts and say “This is about marketing and attention gathering” without being labeled prudish or intolerant. We are allowed to say “This is giving girls the idea that they cannot be desirable or talented without being overtly sexual. This is giving girls the idea that their vocal or writing talent is not enough…that boys can sing fully clothed, but girls cannot rely on just stimulating the mind and the emotion, and will be passed over if they do not stimulate the gonads as well”. (which, parenthetically, also teaches that if your body is not perfect, then you cannot be powerful).
This is not power. This is weakness. It is saying “You are basically one dimensional. Your mind, talents, voice are just add-ons to your breasts and nether regions. You cannot be merely brilliant. You cannot merely have a powerful voice. Your sexuality is power. If you cannot push the boundaries sexually, then you have no ‘hook’, no power, no influence. Your power comes from your secondary sex characteristics.”.
If we REALLY want to empower girls, we can teach them that they do not have to work sex into EVERY SINGLE aspect of their lives in order to be of worth. That is not emotionally or mentally healthy. They are not just breasts and ovaries, they are also brains and hearts and souls. Their body is not just to attract men (because, let’s be reasonable here, she is not trying to attract the majority of women to her music with these pics.), but to carry their talents and spirits from one place to another, to enable then to do good work, to help others, to learn, to teach, to support people, to think and to reason, to believe, to love, to nurture, to be honorable and noble.
No, this is not art. This is spectacle. She knows it–she is brilliant at marketing. But with all this exposure, she has also start to become fragile, breaking. She is as sexually stifled as she is sexually demonstrative. She has ceased relying on her talents and relies on marketing and drugs. She knows that one day she will not have this body, and it probably frightens her, because this is now what she is known for. One day she will “just” be talent and brain, but she has so mired herself into having to push the boundary of sexual expression that people see her for sex and costume rather than for brain and talent. Sorrowfully she WILL implode in some way unless she gets her bearings. She may die tragically, or go beyond “eccentric” to “just plain crazy and laughable”, or just disappear in depression and dysfunction. We are watching it happen and encouraging it as we tell her “what can you do to top what you have just done? How much more tawdry can you pose? Bigger hats? More shock? More sex?”.
I cannot name ONE song she sings. I do not even know what her voice sounds like. In fact, when I saw a pic of her NOT all done up, I was shocked–she hides her very facial structure in her costuming and makeup!
Is that power, art, or something we want our daughters to emulate? Her voice has been lost, overcome by her displays. Her mind has been outshone by her body. She has become sex, not art. She has become breasts, not talent. She has become fodder, not musician.
No, that is not sexual freedom. That is not power. That is not artistic expression. That is not owning your body. That is not being comfortable with who you are (because she is not, she is scared, which you can read in her interview). That is falling into society’s trap of “Girls, we are going to SAY you are empowered if you show off your body, but really we just want to see you naked.”.
Back to square one–women as sex objects, but now WE are convinced that we are powerful if we objectify ourselves. We are still the same women showing the same skin for the same titillation of the same society. Convincing ourselves this is powerful does not mean it is. It means that we willingly bought into an idea that turned us into objects and playthings…again.
Maybe it’s just me being a fuddy duddy Catholic, but I think modesty and restraint are virtues that have mostly been lost. I support an *adult* woman’s right to do as she pleases as long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, and I respect that sensuality has a place in artistic expression. However, I feel like it’s The Thing to be as sexually explicit as possible in entertainment, whether sexuality is relevant or not, or else you’re a wimp. If you dare suggest that teenage girls are too young for sexual expression, or that there are appropriate vs. inappropriate forms of (safe, legal) sexual expression, prepare to be eviscerated for denying the agency and sexual freedom of young women, you anti-feminist evil-doer.
I love Lady Gaga, and I always saw her as being geared toward women in their late teens and 20s. However, it’s undeniable that girls younger than that listen to her music, and it wouldn’t kill her to show some restraint. Besides, celebrities shouldn’t get special treatment. That’s another message that kids need to get, that rules matter.
For the record, less IS more when it comes to expression. Less explicit material and more subtle displays are usually more creative and allow for an exciting sense of mystery. Couldn’t Gaga pull that off?
Oh, and by the way, the term ‘slut shaming’ absolutely needs to die a horrible death.
Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, there ARE responsible vs. irresponsible forms of sexual behavior and expression. Furthermore, to have the right to do something is not the same as having the right not to be criticized. There is no such right. And the idea that we have no right to criticize someone who chose to be in the public eye and goes out of her way to attract it is foolishness.
Doesn’t it treat women like children to assume that they cannot handle any responsibily or criticism for their behavior?
“Slut Shaming” is a perfectly valid term, JoannaDeadWinter, and one that we need in today’s society. I just want to leave a few remarks:
– Many, many rape victims are blamed for their assaults for dressing/acting provocatively. That is slut shaming, and it apologizes for rape.
– I am inclined to agree with both sides of the empowerment issue: Women should be empowered to show their sexuality if they want to, but we are still in a place socially where we need to be careful about what that says. Are we really exhibiting empowerment, or are we just falling back into an old way of gaining agency that we should try to move past? I think it can depend on the situation.
– If you want to censor children from seeing Lady Gaga, that is your responsibility as a parent, not Gaga’s responsibility as an artist. I fully believe an artist needs to be accountable for what she puts out there (I am one) but that does not mean self-censoring what you want to say. Gaga wants to show that she can be as sexual as she wants, pushing boundaries further than other pop stars. That’s a valid message, whether you like it or not.
*PS – if we want to talk about bad messages, can we please talk about that fucking Eminem/Rihanna vid for “love the way you lie”? I know it’s really old now, but I want to talk about it!
– REGARDLESS of whether you agree with Gaga’s portrayal of herself, it is SO UNHELPFUL to act as though the problem is her sexuality! That IS slut shaming. We must be very careful (and this is my most important point) to criticize the system, not her sexuality. Criticizing her sexual portrayal makes female sexuality the demon. The demon, if there is one, is a system that – as you were saying, MamaV – requires women to be sexual to get ahead.
So everyone stop talking about her as though sluttiness is the problem! Focus on what this whole situation may say about our society, and don’t buy into what patriarchy wants – a safe little system of heterosexual missionary position when men want it, for the purpose of making babies only.
Cheers,
.C.
P.S – this discussion got a lot better than the original post. Woot!
P.P.S. – @MamaV: no, I don’t have kids; I’m a college student. Grew up with the technology and sexuality, and you know my experience from your blog’s openforum and comments, somewhat, so I think I’m bringing a different view to the table coming from ED land. This is a good conversation!
I LIKE LADY GAGA’S NUDE PICTURES B’COZ,IHAVE SOME LADY GAGA’S NUDE POSTERS
IN MY BROTHER’S ROOM.HE LIKES LADY GAGA’S SEXY BODY
Just another woMAN trying wayyyyy too hard to be different & too sexual. They are only out to make tons of money while poisoning the young minds that they care absolutely nothing about. She didn’t even give all the money earned from the bracelets she sold to benefit Japan. What a pathetic human being…and MAN…she is a HE!
Have you ever thought about including a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is fundamental and all. However imagine if you added some great visuals or videos to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics and video clips, this site could definitely be one of the very best in its field. Superb blog!