Sitting watching Beyonce and Jay Z's concert on HBO I started wondering when did it become desirable to dance like a stripper? I've missed the transition. A gradual transition that slipped in under my radar. Things have changed since Friday Night Videos and a-ha "Take on Me".
Beyonce has an amazing voice. I like most of her music and listen to it often. And Jay Z? I like some things of his as well. Edited. When he says "Jump" it makes me wanna JUMP! What I don't like? Beyonce the performer (except for the times she is dressed while dancing. Wow, those moves, well, it's then I wished I could dance like her.) And Jay Z, instead of being a husband, being a voyeur enjoying millions of fans looking at his wife strutting her half dressed, stripper performance.
The couple may state they are only "performing" but what they are really doing is setting an example of an ideal relationship full of an image of happiness, love, family, money, success. "Hey, our fans, you can have it all. And this is how you do it." Millions of fans, mostly young, look up to "stars" and whether those "stars" admit it or not they ARE influencing the lives and decisions made by those who want to be like them. And those stars (yes, Mylie, or however you spell the name, and Brittany and so many others) include not just the movie and music industry but also teachers and preachers and politicians. All of them can fall. And do at times. However, the whole of their life should be lived with the knowledge they are being watched by eyes who look up to them. Those people should live to a high standard. And remember it day after day while those eyes are looking at them some hoping they succeed while others, out of jealousy, are hoping they fail.
"Reach for the Stars". Isn't that what most hear throughout childhood. And today things of the world are what many grow by. Instead of close family ties and church ties and community ties, in today's family and community structure youth and young adults develop a moral code often from what they hear and see on TV or on the radio or on Facebook and Twitter.
"Stars" who refuse to take responsibility for this (yes Robin Thicke and, well, the others) are so far removed from the realities of today's world because their own moral codes have become corrupted by the same things. Hey PitBull, love ya too. But dad gum you must hate women to disrespect them so. Where's your momma at? Would you want her to be subjected in such a way?
Beyonce has been called a role model for young women. A role model? A woman to emulate because of her ability to advance empowerment for women. Huh?? Wait. What? Isn't she setting it back???? I wouldn't want my nieces to dance like her on stage.
I don't know a whole lot about the feminist movement other than what I learned in college. And though I really don't agree with the modern feminist movement, I do know enough that the founders of feminism worked for some great things. One of those things was moving women away from having to use their bodies to advance their place in life. That believing their only true worth came from their bodies by either bearing children or working to bear children and pleasing men.
Feminist wanted women to think for themselves. Work. Not to depend on anyone but themselves. To have self esteem. To be able to make it on their own-do it on their own. To not accept anything less than what men were privileged to take a part in such as voting, work place safety and stability. Helping women free themselves of the belief that a violent relationship was sometimes a part of a healthy marriage. Pushing for women to be allowed to attend college and become doctors, lawyers but in the pure sense not separate gender from the part that women and men are different in many ways. The blessing of motherhood being one of those.
Now, performers such as Beyonce have corrupted all that women have worked for. Is this setting back the progress women have worked so hard for? What do young women want to be like when they "grow up"? What do they feel they must do to achieve their dreams? Use their bodies to get what they want?
Beyonce. A role model for young women? Furthering the cause of empowering women? I don't think so. Powerful women don't have to dance like a stripper for money. Unless your like her and other women in the music industry. When they act like that, well, when they act like that, in a way they are high price strippers. For what's different than the performance they give? Money changes hands to watch what's honestly not more that a peep show.
Sorry Beyonce. I love your voice. I don't love your performance. And Jay Z. I did gain an ounce of respect for you because you didn't hit Beyonce's sister in that elevator. But the way you like the way your wife makes a dime kinda cancels that out.
There are no children in my home. If there were there would be no discouragement from me of them listening to Beyonce and Jay Z music. However, there would be limits on watching performances and long talks about what those performances really mean. Women shouldn't use their bodies to achieve success. And men should not subject women to degrading situations in order for them to do so.
Maybe I'm just a prude. Been called that. And that's okay. I'd rather live as a prude, and though I'll unfortunately fall sometimes, I'll claw back up and continue to work hard so as to have my Heavenly Father look upon me someday and say "Well done........"
But hey guys, while I'm picking on you, why don't you stay out of Cuba too......
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