NAGLE KNOWS COLUMN Eww! She's doing it again
By Jennifer Nagle
The bimbos of the music industry, with the backing help of their boyfriends’ bands, have once again laid claim to the airwaves, television, and press. What a horrible time to be a music lover. It seems that the new century has begun on a sleazy note.
I probably should not care because none of this rubbish can affect me if I am hidden snug in my bedroom with the stereo going, but I cannot help noticing the impact it is having on generations of younger women.
Thanks to music and fashion executives, it is nearly impossible to distinguish a 12-year-old child from an 18-year-old woman. Pop icons have made it acceptable to wear see-through halter-tops, skin-tight plastic pants, and obviously uncomfortable shoes. This new stylist look leaves daddy’s little girl looking like Mr. Pimp’s weekend special.
Still, it is not the image that bothers me the most. Styles come and go so fast, young ladies will soon be using their sexy tops as cleaning rags. It is the :look hot and please him” message that disturbs me. Really young women are singing songs about promiscuous sex for an audience of teens who are not mature enough to understand what sex, love and relationships are.
To make matters worse, these ideas are being introduced in a hip and socially acceptable way. Songs by artists like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera receive constant airplay on the radio and MTV, along with cameo appearances on various movie soundtracks. Most disapproving of all, however, is the fact that parents are buying these damaging albums for their daughters.
Yes, I realize that every female pop star has her token “it’s okay to be a fat girl” song and video. And believe me, there is nothing more powerful than a half naked, thin woman fondling herself while singing, “just be yourself.” No, that is not a mixed message. Young women need positive and powerful female influences. There are many women who are outspoken, educated, and, in their own right, sexy. I am in no way advocating that young people should turn to the music industry, or any industry for role models, but it is unavoidable.
I admit it; I was, and still am sort of, a teenage punk rocker grrrl. Ever since I could thumb through my parents’ record collection, musicians, females especially, have influenced me. I took careful notice of the girl on the Talking Heads’ album or the female voice in the Pretenders’ songs.
As I grew older and more aware of female issues, women like Kathleen Hanna and Corin Tucker began to play influential roles in my life. Their music inspired thousands of young girls like me to start zines and pick up instruments. I wanted to learn more about equal rights and abuse against women, so I went to my local library.
And the Britney Spears fans head to the mall for body glitter, hot wax, and thong underwear (to wear with the plastic pants).
I cannot change the music and fashion industries but by supporting positive female artists and writers and keeping my voice heard, I am sure going to try.