The power of Gaga undermined by the lack of pants? Image by Alfred Hermida
As today is the London Slutwalk*, I thought that I’d take the opportunity to go put some of my thoughts out there about women, dress and feminism.
This is inspired, in part, by some interesting remarks made by former Le Tigre vocalist, writer and women’s activist Kathleen Hanna regarding Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Ke$ha.
Hanna isn’t impressed with the trouser shunning activities of the current crop of female popstars. Stating how it somewhat undermines their rhetoric of gay empowerment, Hanna said:
“I mean, is it really that different when it’s a skinny white woman in a bathing suit singing these things? None of these women ever wear pants, first of all.”
For so long it has been the norm to unquestioningly regard these performers as icons of empowered sexuality and subversion. Mainly because they wear risqué outfits.
Just as wearing leather hotpants and thigh-high boots is not an invitation to rape, wearing such a combination is not a feminist statement.
These popstars are hyper-sexualised. There are just as many guys and girls who get off on Gaga’s PVC leotards as there are folks who are shocked and terrified by them. Their careers are not based merely on their musical talent; they’ve sold their bodies as much as their songs.
That’s fine, I’m sure they are all pretty smart and know exactly what they are doing. We just need to stop kidding ourselves into thinking Gaga is all about empowering her army of “little monsters”. By the same token, Katy Perry squirting whipped cream from her boobs is nothing more than Katy Perry squirting whipped cream from her boobs.
I agree with Hanna: take away the try-hard image machine and we are left with little more than dodgy Euro-disco.
Let’s not confuse flamboyant and risqué stage costumes with transgression or feminism. Oh, and as Hanna neatly summed it up “a goofy hat doesn’t make it performance art”.
BBxx
*It is also the Queen’s official birthday and World Gin Day. A busy Saturday all round.
P.S. I’m reclaiming the word “slut” today by not cleaning the bathroom, walking around in a dirty t-shirt and drinking gin (two birds, one stone). Being a slut rules.
Interesting thoughts, and half of me agrees with you. The other me thinks: just let these ladies do what they do. they make lots of money with showing off their boobs! girls today have realised (and it is a proven fact) that you get rather promoted with good looks (this applies to men and women). and about the ladies being hyper-sexualised…I would argue that our whole western world is hyper-sexualised. why shouldn’t they be in the game too!?
My problem isn’t hugely with them flaunting their good looks and sexiness or with them doing what they do. I just think their messages get muddied and confused. Being a strong woman shouldn’t be reduced to dancing in “fierce” heels and a leotard. At the same time, we shouldn’t be expected to cover up every inch of flesh with tights, flat pumps, high collars and below-knee skirts in order to declare ourselves feminists.