Our culture today seems to be celebrating men in music, or men in general, who represent promiscuity, as well as legal and illegal pastimes, and the mistreatment of women. These men in music are seen as idols by many and only seem controversial to a few. Now when it comes to women in music, if they sing about the same or similar things they are immediately (most of the time) attacked by the media, and people in general.
Our example of this comes through Taylor Swift, or more specifically her music video Blank Space. The entirety of this video is a large bowl of satire, attacking the media’s representation of her in very obvious ways. For example, she has been represented for years as being a person who has way too many relationships, when in reality she has only had seven in the last nine years.
Swift and many other female artists are attacked routinely in media and television because of the way that they present themselves. Men in music represent themselves as sexual “beasts,” people who are powerful and confident. Women like Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift are constantly bashed for showing the same characteristics. Why? The media praises men who assert themselves, what’s the difference when it comes to women exactly?
What does all of this mean, how does the media affect American Culture? As a culture we are submersed in tabloids and magazines, all the newest and hottest scandals are always just a screen away. As a culture we have grown to sexualize, manipulate, and idolize female icons who don’t “push the limit,” meaning: they don’t show their butt. These icons are expected to be feminine and pretty, the epitome of womanhood. While the men are expected to be manly and tough, beings who have sex, but aren’t expected to look sexy. There is something really wrong with these expectations and double standards. As soon as someone crosses the line, they are shot down, fed to the wolves, and beaten into submission. As a culture we attack women who assert themselves and men who show their feelings. This needs to change.
Taylor Swift and others such as Beyoncé and Nicki Minaj, are fighting the stigma that women in music are not as successful as the men. They are fighting for equality in not only the treatment, but the representation of women. They are powerful women who have not been beaten down by the media and they continue to stand by their beliefs. We need more people like them in the entertainment business, people who are not afraid to stand up for others and fight for equality.
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