the thicke manifesto: ‘a feminist movement in itself’
Image via PerezHilton.com
Don’t let the subtle references to rape and slut-shaming, and the less subtle, all-out objectification of women in Robin Thicke’s viral floor filler, Blurred Lines, cloud your judgment. Throw feminist Ryan Gosling under the bed like Woody in Toy Story 1, because Robin Thicke is our new feminist ally! He said so himself.
In a recent interview, in response to the many criticisms of his controversial hit and its NSFW (read: offensive, sexist, ass-holey) clip, Thicke explained: ‘That’s what great art does. It’s supposed to stir conversation, it’s supposed to make us talk about what’s important and what the relationship between men and women is, but if you listen to the lyrics it says ‘That man is not your maker.’ It’s actually a feminist movement in itself.’
Well, I bet Germaine can’t wait to high five you on that one, Thicko! Blurred lines is actually all about feminine empowerment. Just disregard that little bit about giving ‘you something big enough to tear your ass in two’ and what we have here, sisters, is a feminist anthem.
I think I’ve probably used enough sarcasm that I don’t need to say just how much I call bullshit on this. I cannot be convinced, and neither should you be, that ‘you da hottest bitch in dis place’ is a legitimate compliment and respectful gesture to women. Comparing women to animals, domesticated or otherwise, is not aiding our empowerment. The fact that Thicke has been with his wife since he was a teenager does not convince me that he and all the “art” he produces is innately respectful to women.
The only way that Blurred Lines might be seen as ‘a feminist movement in itself’ could be through the many innovative parodies and criticisms it has spawned. Among my personal favourites is Seattle boylesque troupe, Mod Carousel’s gender-bending version that has the best little mission statement:
‘It’s our opinion that most attempts to show female objectification in the media by swapping the genders serve more to ridicule the male body than to highlight the extent to which women get objectified and does everyone a disservice. We made this video specifically to show a spectrum of sexuality as well as present both women and men in a positive light, one where objectifying men is more than alright and where women can be strong and sexy without negative repercussions.’
Interestingly, this parody has since been age restricted on YouTube even though the “clean” version of the original is still readily available. YouTube’s classification of this “queer” version as more obscene than the original is a clear reflection of what Adrienne Rich referred to as Compulsory Heterosexuality – the assumption that heterosexuality and heteronormative gender roles are the expected norm. But you’d know all about this wouldn’t you, Thicko? Being a feminist and all.
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I actually think the new song, I can’t even remember what it’s called because it’s so atrocious is more sexist. Is he really going to forge ahead in his career by talking about how women need is dick so badly?! Douche
Subtle references to rape? What line is that in???
The “You’re the hottest bitch in this place” is quite a shocking line, and should be condemned. But the problem with “feminism” is it sees rape in everything. No wonder only 1 in 6 women would identify as a feminist. I wanted to read a balanced & genuine feminist analysis and you mention “rape” by the 6th word? FFS.
How about ‘I know you want it’ right before ‘I hate these blurred lines’? It’s pretty clearly a subtle reference to issues of consent. But all of us whiny feminists should really just shut up, I know.
Translation “I know you want to have sex, well actually I’m not sure, well pretty sure, you’re acting like you do” is rape?
That’s why feminism is given a wide berth by virtually everybody. Rape in the 6th word!
This song has nothing to do with sex without consent. It is objectifying women, disrespectful & insulting on a number of levels, i.e. “you the hottest bitch in this place”.
My tip would be to stick with the facts, if you want people to listen, not very subjective speculation on how rapey things sound to you.
But us whingey non-feminists should just shut-up, apologists for rape that we all are, no doubt.