I actually watched this video for the first time on mute in the library, which I think actually worked to it’s advantage. Because, you know… it’s Rihanna.
Musical talent aside, this kind of LGBT inclusion in the media is controversial, regardless of which side you’re on.
As a feminist, one must raise an eyebrow at this video. Depending on where you fall in the feminist spectrum, you might see Rihanna’s body as being exploited or you might see her embracing and utilizing her sexuality. But you have to ask, why are there two women?
On the one hand, I think it’s extremely important for any kind of LGBT relationship/interaction to be displayed, because at least people can see it and know that homosexuality/bisexuality/transsexualism isn’t just a figment of the liberal imagination. Images are powerful, and seeing inclusive representation in the media makes it much more real to the general public.
On the other hand, Rihanna is not-to my knowledge-a lesbian. So it can be worrisome that the LGBT community might be represented as just a game, something straight people do when they get bored. Anyone who knows me knows that I loathe Katy Perry because I think her music can be homophobic, despite it’s catchiness. (In her 2008 hit song “I Kissed a Girl”, she says of kissing girls: “It’s not what good girls do/Not how they should behave”. Great, thanks Katy. So now I am not only deprived of all the rights and privileges of a married couple, but now because I kiss girls, I can no longer be considered a “good girl”?) Alright… bit of an “I-Dislike-Katy-Perry” tangent, but my point is that I worry about LGBT issues being presented as being “hip” or “a fun choice” rather than as the natural, albeit difficult lifestyle it actually is.
All in all, I think any publicity is good publicity. It’s 2010 and there’s a couple of lesbian doctors on Grey’s Anatomy, there’s a gay couple on Wisteria Lane, there’s a gay couple raising a child on Modern Family. These kinds of strides are extremely positive. Gay characters becoming a norm in the media is a catalyst for LGBT people becoming part of the norm in real life.
What are your thoughts?
In Katy Perry’s defense, her new video for the song Firecracker involves images of gay couples.
But yes, I think that exposure like that which comes from shows like Brothers and Sisters and Modern Family are great because they don’t feed into the stereotypes for LGBT individuals. Videos like the one mention focus merely on the sexual side of two girls being together because hey, sex sells. But that only further plays into the image that all there is to being LGBT is sex (and I think most people can agree that it is about much more than that).
Great post somethingbeany!
1) This video, very sexual, I guess I fall under the spectrum of feminism where I wouldn’t always suggest to be explicit and exploited in our sexuality since most times, it isn’t to please our own self, rather to please patriarchy or other men, women.
2) If you look at the lyrics of Rhiana’s “Te Amo,” it appears she’s not really into the whole woman-woman sexual experience. Such by:
Listen we can dance, but you gotta watch your hands
Watch me all night, I’m movin to the light because I understand
That we all need love and I’m not afraid
I feel love, but I don’t feel that way
Maybe I have this all wrong, but it appears her lyrics are completely opposite to the body language and scenes throughout her music video. She says her soul is “awry,” is wrong for what is taking place throughout the song.
So, to me, Rhianna sensationalized her video to have a same sex scenario, where she seduces and fondles the other woman, but she herself, at least lyrically, does not want or approve of it.
Almost as if, she wrote the song, producers came in, and said you two women go and have sex on screen, that way, people can see it & talk about, hype it up & we’ll make money.
But you’re right somethingbeany, any publicity is good publicity for LGBT community, it’s about time their voices are heard and seen.
I’m going to have to back you up on the Katy Perry thing. I’ve never understood why some lesbians have adopted “I Kissed a Girl” as their anthem, when it essentially puts lesbian relationships in the category of “passing fad” (“Hope my boyfriend don’t mind it”.) And wasn’t it our dear Katy who had a song entitled “UR SO GAY”? Does her most resent song “Firecracker” exonerate her from her past exploitative, homophobic exploits? I don’t think so, but you’re welcome to disagree.
I agree. Firecracker is great, true. But Katy Perry continues to send mixed messages to everyone (no play on words intended with relation to I Kissed A Girl).
My reflections on the lyrics are preponderant of the “lesbian is in love with straight friend that won’t leave lesbian to just be upset because they’re friends” camp. Shrug, whatev, maybe Rihanna has a friendship like that. Either way, how many people are really gonna look up the lyrics/be able to understand what Rihanna’s saying?
Thus why the images are interesting.
I am posting the lyrics:
“Te amo, te amo,” she says to me
I hear the pain in her voice
Then we danced underneath the candelabra, she takes the lead
That’s when I saw it in her eyes, it’s over
Then she said “te amo”
Then she put her hand around my waist
I told her no, she cried “te amo”
I told her I’m not gonna run away, but let me go
My soul is awry, without asking why
I said, “te amo, wish somebody’d tell me what she said”
Don’t it mean “I love you”?
Think it means “I love you”
Don’t it mean “I love you”?
Te amo, te amo, she’s scared to breathe
I hold her hand, I got no choice
Pulled me out on the beach, danced in the water, I start to leave
She’s begging me and asking why it’s over
Then she said “te amo”
Then she put her hand around my waist
I told her no, she cried “te amo”
I told her I’m not gonna run away, but let me go
My soul is awry, without asking why
I said, “te amo, wish somebody’d tell me what she said”
Don’t it mean “I love you”?
Think it means “I love you”
Don’t it mean “I love you”?
Listen we can dance, but you gotta watch your hands
Watch me all night, I’m movin’ to the light because I understand
That we all need love and I’m not afraid
I feel the love, but I don’t feel that way