I was like, this sh*t is boring. – Bell Hooks
We are inhabiting a golden age of feminism. The discerning internet surfer can read through articles on Jezebel while enjoying a video of Beyoncé twerking to samplings of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s TED talk on women’s rights. Michelle Obama is the First Lady of Muscle Definition and we love her almost more than her all-powerful husband. Young women can stand up to Taliban shooters and oppressive dress codes and be lauded in turn. Women can own their sexuality (in theory) and objectification is no longer a one-way street.
And yet, despite this Susan B. Anthony-may-care take on feminism, many outspoken celebrities seem to have a problem with the idea of Nicki Minaj releasing a music video that is almost entirely centered around the size of her ass. Bell Hooks, renowned feminist writer and scholar, reportedly said she was bored by the ‘Anaconda’ music video despite it breaking the all-time Vevo viewing record (it should be noted that the previous holder of the record was Miley Cyrus’ ‘Wrecking Ball’ music video where she swung back and forth naked on a wrecking ball).
Yes, maybe the Vevo record is designated only for artists willing to get undressed for viewers, but that does not belie the point that there are still millions if not billions of people tuning in to be captivated by female artists. There has to be something feminist in that. The truth is that regardless of how many views ‘Anaconda’ has on Youtube, Nicki Minaj currently holds something like 30 individual world records for most albums sold and time spent at the top of the charts. Just a reminder: albums are auditory not visual so we can probably say that she’s breaking records with her talent not her booty. (Sorry for all the butt talk by the way)
The issue seems to be that dissenting celebrities and scholars do not agree that a female can show that much skin and still be considered a feminist. The irony of this is obvious – on one side men of yore are saying cover up or you’ll be branded a slut and on the other Annie Lennox is saying cover up or you’ll be branded a slut who takes down the whole feminist movement. Exit new-new-wave feminism, chased by a bear.
It’s difficult to say, though, that feminism is about accepting everyone, revealing clothes and all, because it can be difficult to differentiate between what’s done for the male gaze and what’s not. The patriarchy has laid out certain rules for women and it’s worth asking if it’s still restrictive if we enjoy it: I know many fashionistas and makeup magicians who’ll say that they wear the things they do because they enjoy it. And I believe them but it also leaves me feeling a bit uncertain.
So when Nicki Minaj struts around in a thong and bra, it’s difficult to assume she does it 100% because she wants to do so entirely for herself. But then again, even if she wants to be sexy because it invites attention then that’s still for herself, right? Tré confusing.
Then sometimes we gotta look closely at how many ways in the music video Nicki is beating the male gaze to death – she slices a banana viciously, she slaps Drake’s hand away during a lap dance, there are no men in the music video enjoying her (it’s just her and other women seemingly enjoying each other). Then there’s the lyrics and the fact that she’s appropriating a song that, in its day, was an anthem for large and curvy women everywhere. It’s all about female sexuality for the sake of females. At least I think that’s what’s going on.
So while we’re maneuvering the murky waters of male gaze and self-objectification, the question really is can you be sexy for yourself? I have to think yes otherwise what’s the point, really?
Post-graduate Sob Stories 