Blurred Lines.

“The Vagenda” is the largest, most popular feminist blog in the UK, founded only last year by two British journalists; Holly Baxter and Rhiannon Cosslett, and now contributed to by numerous anonymous writers from across the world. In the first 24 hours of launching their site, “Vagenda” received over 30,000 hits, and subsequently over 14 million to date. Their success permits a further gateway for British women to discuss feminist issues in a lighthearted way, deconstructing the stereotypical image of the ‘ugly feminist’ prominent in today’s society, whilst also mocking trivial ‘women’s’ issues that are so focused upon in ‘women’s media’. The general tone of most ‘Vagenda’ blog entries is humorous, hilarious infact, but also completely on point.

Holly and Rhiannon took a short trip to Reading University earlier this week to lecture and initiate discussion amongst members of the ‘Women’s Society’. After a brief introduction, they soon opened debate to the floor, with the main spotlight occupied by talk about the degradation of women within the music industry; most notably in Robin Thicke’s chart-topper “Blurred Lines”.

“Blurred Lines” has become infamous for it’s risque video and controversial lyrics; Thicke has faced stern accusations of sensationalism, sexual degradation and promoting rape culture. The lyrics in particular, coupled with the shocking nude/clothed imagery involved in the music video, blatantly objectify women. Lyrics such as “you the hottest bitch in the place” are sexually objectifying not only in the use of condemning terminology (bitch) but also in general meaning; that a man will swoop in and save this women; will ‘liberate’ her. Sensationalism and the degradation of women is most prominent in the video, as the young women are naked (in the uncensored version) whilst the men (Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams) are fully clothed, wearing expensive suits and even sunglasses. But why are we all so shocked by this? Surely by now, society should have become desensitized to female nudity. Naked women are everywhere; on TV, in fashion magazines, advertising campaigns, newspapers and in art. So why has this video sparked such a high level of controversy? How is it worse than the ‘page 3’ girls splashed across the tabloids every week, or the American Apparel advertising campaigns?

American Apparel, despite having faced a certain level of resistance from the industry, still use extremely racy, sexually posed photographs of pubescent girls in their visual campaigns. The visual objectification of young, vulnerable women is used in order to sell clothes, its shocking and scandalous, but it certainly makes the company money. We all know sex sells. But how does Robin Thicke differ? And why has he faced such uproar in the press for demonstrating something that has been seen so many times before?

Further, the objectification of women has been prevalent in the art world for centuries.  The Female Nude has been one of the most prestigious art genres since classicism, but “Blurred Lines” has striking similarities to a particular 19th century  work; “Dejeuner sur l’Herbe” (1863) by Eduoard Manet.

“Dejeuner sur l’Herbe” Eduoard Manet – 1863

Although the pieces are different in medium and time period, both feature ‘naked’ women; ‘naked’ rather than nude, as they’re wearing small items of clothing such as jewellery or shoes and are alongside clothed men. In Manet’s painting the women depicted are clearly objectified, as they are there for male satisfaction and appear aware of being looked upon. The two women are also prostitutes. In “Blurred Lines” naked women are similarly present to satisfy male desire and are aware of their voyeuristic purpose, but these modern women are sexually tantalizing, teasing the male protagonist, and ultimately in control of their own bodies. The women look good and they know it, so is Thicke promoting degradation of women, or instead promoting the beautiful female body? Is Thicke really promoting rape culture, or instead is he discussing ‘the chase’ of dating the tantalising, sexual women of today?

Accusations of advocating rape culture come mainly from the song’s lyrics however, such as “I’m gonna TAKE a good girl : I know you want it : get me nasty” which mirror phrases said to female victims of sexual assault and rape. This similarity is undeniable and must be traumatic to hear for victims. However, Thicke’s intention to promote rape culture is questionable. Was this his intention? Did he actually realise the chilling effect it would have on his listeners who had suffered such atrocious abuse? Or was he aiming to produce a scandalous, sexual song that would make him millions? Again though, why has society suddenly become so sensitive, when shockingly sexual lyrics have been published in hip-hop music for decades? Where does the difference lie? In racial difference? The women who are sexually degraded in hip-hop are typically black. Does this difference in skin colour make the degradation more acceptable? Black musicians have caused a media storm previously in their objectification of women, such as Rick Ross who was also accused of condoning rape earlier this year; “put molly all in her champagne : she aint even know it : I took her home and I enjoyed that : she aint even know it.” Such obvious reference to ‘date-rape’ in his lyrics is surely worse than Thicke’s comparably modest sexism.