Ok. So the internet got a little crazy with the whole Miley
thing yesterday. I saw a lot of good and a lot of bad analysis and
conversations. So what happens today? Well, some people are still pushing the
same button. “Twerk” has probably made some considerable leaps into the top echelons
of our lexicon. MTV is enjoying people
actually discussing something that happened on their network. And then there
are these:
1. Complaints that all the complaining does nothing to actually change the entrenched cultural structures of sexism, patriarchy, and inequality that lead to the shaming that Cyrus received
2. Passive aggressive suggestions that while “you” (the collective “you”) were distracted by the Cyrus frivolity you were willfully and stupidly ignoring some more important cultural issue/controversy
In regards to number one, I completely agree. Even the best written, most read blog post in
the world is not going to change the deeper problems. It’s likely not even
going to scratch the surface of those problems. Twitter jokes too, sadly do not
change the world. However, although I agree with this sentiment it’s likely not
for the same reasons as the people making it. That’s not really what I want
to focus on right now, but let’s just say the title of this blog isn’t for the
sake of using a big word. I am skeptical of any and all attempts to directly
make change in the world. This is not to say we can’t make change in the world.
However, we cannot change it directly; we must perturb or irritate cultural
systems into changing themselves. Let’s just call that a coming soon.
Number two is the one that I find insulting. For one, the
issues brought up in regards to Twerkgate 2013 were far from frivolous even if
they may have come from a frivolous award show. I don’t believe people are
directly affected by culture as much as some cultural critics do; however, that
doesn’t mean discussing people’s reactions is a worthless pursuit. And I’m
sorry, but just because critical attention was given to Twerkgate for a day
does not mean people don’t have other concerns. There is such a thing as
divided attention and intellectual multi-tasking. Talking/discussing/ranting
about Miley for a moment doesn’t mean the human brain suddenly stops
remembering all the other problems with the world. That’s ridiculous. Now, it’s
a fair point to observe that other issues in the world don’t receive the same
sustained laser sharp focus and this does suggest something about cultural
priorities. But suggesting it was frivolous to stop for a moment to consider
the slut shaming and racial appropriation issues of that Miley Moment we all
went through is just another example of writing off popular culture as some irrelevant,
shallow, Otherness that can be avoided or stepped out of for an objective perspective.
That, my friends, is a dangerous and elitist position to hold.
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