On My Tits + Off My Chest - One option is not a choice and Peggy Olsening women.

This post is a bit of a mish mash of some stuff about equality, sexism, feminism that's been percolating in my head for awhile. I've been following the No More Page 3 campaign, the Everyday Sexism project and read the occasional Vagenda post (see this by Germaine Greer on their book/The New Feminism) and I think a debate about feminism, sexism and misogyny is bubbling along on social media. 

I'm often confused as to where I stand or what I think - it's hard to have a proper discussion in 140chr sentences. But I guess a lot of it boils down to a conversation between husbando and I last week....

Here is the cover artwork for Ellie Goulding's single Burn  - it came out in August 2013

Here is artwork for the single of Starry Eyed from 2010

Her look seems to have changed a little over the 3 years between the images. Looking at them, I made some comment to Husbando about how I felt she'd "sold out" a bit. Husbando accused me of not being a feminist and that she had the right to wear whatever she wanted, it was her CHOICE. Well hell to the yes, she does have that right and that choice. But what I think is,  it's not much of a choice when there's only really one option. 


Don't get me wrong, I think she looks great in both pictures, from glittery hoodie to strappy top and hot pants. But I guess I'm intrigued as to why the image change - and how it coincided with her being a lot more famous. I'm not trying to say she shouldn't dress like that - I've worn my fair share of revealing outfits in my time - and it's not as simple as her feeling like she "has" to look different now to compete with other artists - but it's just making me a bit uncomfortable. I can't really put my finger on why and I'm aware I'm sounding a little Mary Whitehouse here, so bear with me...

It just seems like every female popstar/singer/musician now needs to be able to wear a thong unitard/lingerie to gain a decent market share. Beyonce, Gaga, or Iggy A and it's all the same. - and pretty much anything Miley Cyrus does whether it be twerking or sitting naked on a big ball - yes it's her choice but again, it's a choice of well, not much. If you're a popstar, you have to strip it seems.  

Really, how liberating or equalizing is wearing not a lot on or off stage?. And yes, they do have hot bodies, but if revealing flesh is a statement then it's kind of old. If Sasha Fierce appeared with a pant-tashe and unshaved pits, I think that'd be a much bigger statement.

But before you get all Lily Allen on my ass, no, it's not all about the statement either.  (Btw, and why is it that everything controversial famous women do is a "statement" by a woman about feminism /sexism /society / equality? Is everything controversial men do a statement about men?)

It's not to me about making a statement at all. But it is reinforcing an image and a lack of choice about how women look or are perceived in the media and by society. As this article puts it, women are judged on their parts. If you only see one sort of thing, that becomes normality. So if you're not looking like the idea of normal, does that make you abnormal, or to have failed in some way?

Sarah Millican touched on this too in her awesome response when she was pilloried for her appearance at the BAFTAs

"I thought I had been invited to such an illustrious event because I am good at my job. Putting clothes on is such a small part of my day...Awkward as I’m not a model (I’m a comedian), have never learnt how to pose on a red carpet (I’m a comedian)"

I guess that's my point really, Ellie Goulding isn't a model, Beyonce isn't a model, Iggy Azalea isn't a model. And yes, they might make money by modelling, but primarily they're artists/musicians/singers/popstars. So why can't they be judged on that (if they must be judged at all).  

I don't need to mention how any woman in the public eye - from politician to blogger - is judged on their looks. And it really boils down to being female, to being women - it just can't be separated from their respective job - musician, comedian, politician, artist, in a way that I just don't think men ever experience. Their gender is never so closely glued on to their identity in the public eye. Why is that?

Here's a great example of how ingrained this attitude is in society. 

@PlayboyDotCom Am I? IM NOT A FUCKING "WOMAN IN MUSIC", IM A FUCKING MUSICIAN IN MUSIC!
— Neko Case (@NekoCase) May 21, 2014

And then when she was patronised further:

@robomeerkat @JenKirkman @PlayboyDotCom DONT PEGGY OLSEN ME, MOTHERFUCKERS.
— Neko Case (@NekoCase) May 22, 2014

I might love her a little bit for that one! But it's true - what does being a woman have anything to do with her ability to create music - unless she's using her genitals to do it.  And that she should be grateful for such a backhanded compliment - because hey, she's getting some attention - well exactly what she said, this is not the 1950's, don't pat her on the head.

Going back to my original point, about Ellie Goulding, I think she's an amazingly talented artist. I think she has a wonderful voice. When I listen to her singing I have no idea what she's wearing when she sings it and frankly I don't give a damn. I hope she's having fun and I hope she's having a good time but I sure as shit hope she's able to wear chill out stuff with her fans as much as she can wear her hotpants and bra top.

I don't think it's fair either to put all the pressure to dress in a specific way on the stars themselves - it's their choice and it's just as controlling to insist that they y'know, dress more demurely. I mean, maybe they should wear a burka... 

As Gloria Steinem said in defence of Miley Cyrus "don't hate the player, hate the game" . I completely agree, as women, feminism seems to prove more divisive than inclusive, with women even being ashamed or afraid to self-identify as feminist. But how can we ever strive for equality if we can't even treat each other as equals, let alone be equal to men?

I think I'll stop there or this post is at risk of just going off on random tangents. I hope I've not offended anyone - that wasn't my intention - just to question things a little.

Any thoughts, feel free to pop 'em in the comments part below.

Thank you and goodnight,

Stupidgirl has left the building