There are few things in this world that can make me Hulk angry in a matter of seconds (excluding the misuse of your/you’re, there/their and LOL. But every now and again I am confronted by something that makes me so angry I turn green and go from zero to sixty in three point five shut up and drive on the Anger Scale. Last week I met with such a thing. And even now, just thinking about it, the red mist of anger clouds my vision and my skin is tinged with green...
But have you seen the Blurred Lines music video? Sweet bass line, catchy tune and jaunty lighting that makes it look o so Instagram. Youtube hits at this moment stand at 58,015,056 million.
But have you seen this music video? Have you seen the women prancing around in plastic and flesh toned underwear? Have you seen the way the women are passed on from guy to guy? Have you seen the woman on her hands and knees with a car balanced on her back? Have you seen the way the women are objectified into glossy hair, red lipstick, pretty faces and ‘great bodies’? Have you seen how it’s all a bit of fun because look how the guys are just joking around? #lad
But have you seen this music video yet?
It makes me angry. And believe me, you won’t like me when I’m angry (or whatever it is the hulk says – I was never much of a Hulk fan).
I’m angry that it tells our sisters, nieces, daughters, granddaughters, cousins and friends that being objectified to a pretty face, boobs, legs and bum instead of an actual human being dearly beloved of God and of infinite value is OK.
I’m angry that it tells our brothers, nephews, sons, grandsons, cousins and friends that the objectification of women, from human being dearly beloved of God and of infinite value to a pretty face, boobs, legs and bum is OK.
I’m angry that so many people will think I’m over reacting. Because it’s just a music video, right? #banter
I’m angry because the objectification of women is such an everyday thing that sometimes I barely notice it. And the less we notice it, the more acceptable it becomes. And the more acceptable it becomes the fewer inappropriate behaviours we question and stand up to. This is not OK.
I’m angry because I don’t know how we can change this.
P.S. If you haven’t signed the No more page 3 petition then you really should. And you might want to check out the Everyday Sexism Project.