Before I left Cape Town, South Africa, I heard this catchy new pop song. I listened and danced by myself. When I heard the chorus the second time, I stopped mid-head bob. I was outraged. “Do what you want with my body!” What the F***!
I was furious and shared my anger with anyone I could. How could these two outspoken female artists be singing this? My anger increased when I heard R Kelly, the poster child for inappropriate sexual behavior, in the remix version. Now, back in the United States, I am more livid than ever! I am shocked that these two women are not being criticized for their choice of lyrics. Why is no one speaking up about this?
I am not the example for politically correct rhetoric; I am actually far from it. I do, however, acknowledge when something is crossing the line. These two extraordinary, talented, powerful women should also know, as icons, that suggesting the topic of rape culture, even indirectly and out of context, is inacceptable.
I must be clear that I am not talking about an overly sexual woman. I, as a gay man, am extremely proud of strong, sexual woman who are not afraid to share it. I also do not condemn acts to shock the media. This song, and popularity of it, is indirectly promoting rape culture. That is inexcusable for anyone, no matter how famous or powerful.
Rape is an act when one person forces him or herself sexually on another person without consent. It is a verb that has definitive meaning. With offensive adjectives, we have the ability to dispose any power that word contains. An offensive verb does not allow the opportunity.
If you are not aware of it, then become aware of it now. Rape is an enormous problem in our world that is an outlier for inequality, lack of human rights, poor education, and most horrifically, war. Just in the time that I am writing this article, the Chicago tribune published an article about rape as a weapon in Myanmar. In December, Uganda passed the no miniskirts law because women who wear miniskirts are ‘asking to be raped’. In the US, the statistics are just as shocking.
I don’t want Lady Gaga and Christina Aguilera to stop being who they are. Girls, young woman, and gay men all over should look up to them for what they are contributing and the barriers being broken down in the process. I would just like Ms. Gaga, Ms. Aguilera, and every human being responsible for promoting this song to acknowledge their bad contribution to pop culture. We all make mistakes. Fortunately this mistake, if treated as one, can be seen as an opportunity.
Recently on UPWORTHY, I saw this video about what we saw on television last year.
I am a strong believer that we all have to fight for each other, even if it is not our fight.
WE ARE ALL INVOLVED #WAAI