[LiteraryLark]

One of my excessively feminist friends posted on facebook this link which talks about how Blurred Lines really talks about rape and sexual assault. Sure, the lyrics are dirty and heavily misogynistic, but to that extent of being about rape? I really don't know how to feel about this. Is there some truth to this, or is my friend just way too much of a feminist?

From the Mouths of Rapists: The Lyrics of Robin Thicke’s Blurred Lines » Sociological Images

[tinyrabbit]

Have you read the lyrics? Yes, it is about rape, and it is horrifically offensive.

[atomicc]

Hmmm. I really enjoy the song and I've never thought of it that way. I think if you try hard enough though you can make a case for tons and tons of songs as being misogynistic or telling of rape. I don't think it's always the writers intention..some times we just read into things a little too much. Again, this is only my opinion!

[Poppy Princess]

Yeah, like when I made a case that The Beatle's Yellow Submarine was about rape.

Oh wait, I couldn't do that because it doesn't sound anything like that. Yes, it's about rape. It's about the assault of females.

[Poppy Princess]

Also, there's no such thing as "too much of a feminist"

[Eliza Jane]

Yes, it is. That song makes me sick. I honestly don't know why more people aren't outraged.

I even switched radio stations because my formerly favorite station played it like every hour.

[LiteraryLark]

You can make anything sound more terrible than it is. The Yellow Submarine is not a good example of this, because it is clearly about a yellow submarine.

People aren't outraged because it's a catchy song. That's seriously the only reason why the song is popular is because they made it incredibly annoying and catchy.

And yes, you can be radically feminist just as someone can be radically political.

[Trippin2.0]

I can see how it was interpreted to be a rape anthem, but I'm sorry, when I read the lyrics I just dont see it.

The "you know you want it" could very well be about a shy girl, or a girl playing hard to get. Not meaning the end result is rape, but more, like "admit it, you want me". I like having my hair pulled and my a.s.s smacked I don't find it demeaning or violent, so who's to say the girl in the song doesn't too.

The part of "tear your a.s.s in 2" yeah I can understand the brutal sodomy people choose to see, but I grew up around boys, hung out with guys and now ultimately men. They kinda say things like that to express how hard the wanna fk someone. I've never thought my peers meant raping anyone, and they didnt.

So IMO? No its not a rape anthem. If the lyrics stated the girl screamed (in terror), said "no" or ran away, I'd change my mind though. Nothing in the lyrics suggest anything is being done against anybody's will. It sounds more like a lot of begging for sex.

Like alot of things in life, its about perception. How we perceive this song is how we perceive it. Only way to know who's right is ask the song writer, instead of spread our possibly damaging perceptions all over.

[Eliza Jane]

Even if we don't call it rape, at face value the song is against the notion that "no means no." The girl is saying she doesn't want it, and he is trying to push her. Not okay. We need to teach society that no means no. Period.

[allme]

Seriously? Of course it isn't about rape. Rape is a sensitive subject for me and have read the lyrics and no it doesn't sound like that. A bunch or immature men yes, rape no!

[lynn P.]

First time I heard this was my 15 yr old daughters friend was saying this. Whether or not it is idk but the title is somewhat concerning......blurred lines could mean "did she want it or not." Or this could be the playful exchange between a good girl and the back /forth passionate flirting.

Going off topic for a minute - it really concerns me young women going to these parties and getting assaulted by multiple guys. Two well known cases in Canada where the girls eventually ended their lives. My advice to all women is be aware of who you socialize with and learn how to be clearly assertive. If you mean no, be firm and shout it out if you have to. For young men, make sure you get a crystal clear green light and don't get involved when the other person is intoxicated or incoherent. All comes down to respect. Hopefully someone will ask Robin Thick.

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by lynn P.

Going off topic for a minute - it really concerns me young women going to these parties and getting assaulted by multiple guys. Two well known cases in Canada where the girls eventually ended their lives. My advice to all women is be aware of who you socialize with and learn how to be clearly assertive. If you mean no, be firm and shout it out if you have to. For young men, make sure you get a crystal clear green light and don't get involved when the other person is intoxicated or incoherent. All comes down to respect. Hopefully someone will ask Robin Thick.

I know this is going to start something, but those girls were either DRINKING EXCESSIVELY or had their drinks drugged. This is coming from someone in a law enforcement family, but it is YOUR responsibility to make sure you are not putting yourself into dangerous situations. Never put your cup down at a party, don't drink excessively around people you are not familiar with and if you do, make sure you have someone you can trust to at least make good judgements for you.

Personally, I never drink or have more than one drink at parties where I don't know people unless I've either spent some time with them and see how they are drunk first or I have someone designated to watch out for me. If I go somewhere whether it's a club or party or even school, if I set a drink down, alcoholic or otherwise, I don't pick it back up. And at parties, I wear tight jeans that are hard to remove.

It's one thing to say, "I should be able to have the freedom to drink what I want, wear what I want, and hang out with who I want" but why deliberately put yourself into a dangerous situation because you are a woman and have the right to feel protected in any situation? People act like rapists have absolutely no motive and just go on wild erratic raping sprees. They don't select just anyone--even if they don't know the person--it's a very planned out process and they are looking for a specific person, such as someone who cannot make decisions for themselves and are easily manipulated. I think what I am getting at is to be safe and use common sense: Don't walk in the dark alone, know your limits as to how much alcohol or drugs you can tolerate, have someone to watch out for you when you're drinking, etc.

[tinyrabbit]

Originally Posted by Eliza Jane

Even if we don't call it rape, at face value the song is against the notion that "no means no." The girl is saying she doesn't want it, and he is trying to push her. Not okay. We need to teach society that no means no. Period.

I completely agree.

[lynn P.]

Originally Posted by DrSkipper

I know this is going to start something, but those girls were either DRINKING EXCESSIVELY or had their drinks drugged. This is coming from someone in a law enforcement family, but it is YOUR responsibility to make sure you are not putting yourself into dangerous situations. Never put your cup down at a party, don't drink excessively around people you are not familiar with and if you do, make sure you have someone you can trust to at least make good judgements for you.

Personally, I never drink or have more than one drink at parties where I don't know people unless I've either spent some time with them and see how they are drunk first or I have someone designated to watch out for me. If I go somewhere whether it's a club or party or even school, if I set a drink down, alcoholic or otherwise, I don't pick it back up. And at parties, I wear tight jeans that are hard to remove.

It's one thing to say, "I should be able to have the freedom to drink what I want, wear what I want, and hang out with who I want" but why deliberately put yourself into a dangerous situation because you are a woman and have the right to feel protected in any situation? People act like rapists have absolutely no motive and just go on wild erratic raping sprees. They don't select just anyone--even if they don't know the person--it's a very planned out process and they are looking for a specific person, such as someone who cannot make decisions for themselves and are easily manipulated. I think what I am getting at is to be safe and use common sense: Don't walk in the dark alone, know your limits as to how much alcohol or drugs you can tolerate, have someone to watch out for you when you're drinking, etc.

I know you come from a family who's parent is in law enforcement and have obviously taught you how to be safe. I do the same with my 15 yr old and have taught her how to be assertive etc. Unfortunately not all young women have good guidance like that and they may end up in a precarious situation. Young men also need to be responsible and not take advantage of a young woman who might not be able to make a good decision. There are alot of misguided young women out there and irresponsible young men.

I should have avoided going off topic because I don't want to cause a debate, so sorry about that. Being a parent makes me think about this serious issue. Since you are young, I hope you spread the word how to be safe in social situations. Anyways lets hope the "Blurred Lines" will be clear to avoid bad situations.

[blueflames]

Originally Posted by Trippin2.0

I can see how it was interpreted to be a rape anthem, but I'm sorry, when I read the lyrics I just dont see it.

The "you know you want it" could very well be about a shy girl, or a girl playing hard to get. Not meaning the end result is rape, but more, like "admit it, you want me". I like having my hair pulled and my a.s.s smacked I don't find it demeaning or violent, so who's to say the girl in the song doesn't too.

The part of "tear your a.s.s in 2" yeah I can understand the brutal sodomy people choose to see, but I grew up around boys, hung out with guys and now ultimately men. They kinda say things like that to express how hard the wanna fk someone. I've never thought my peers meant raping anyone, and they didnt.

So IMO? No its not a rape anthem. If the lyrics stated the girl screamed (in terror), said "no" or ran away, I'd change my mind though. Nothing in the lyrics suggest anything is being done against anybody's will. It sounds more like a lot of begging for sex.

Like alot of things in life, its about perception. How we perceive this song is how we perceive it. Only way to know who's right is ask the song writer, instead of spread our possibly damaging perceptions all over.

HERE HERE!! I just like it for the catchy tune... I've never really given it any thought but when I do I agree with this. besides there is such thing as being "too feminist" its when you start to believe that men should be put on the bottom... not all men are dicks just as not all women are saints... but if we start to think that women are better than men then we are no better than they were when they treated us how they once did. That being said, i also believe that men and women will never be equal mostly because of simple genetic features (e.g. womb), to be equal would be to remove the label woman or man, its there because something is different.

[healingme4me]

So sorry, but I don't see this song about rape! Maybe bordering a bit on the rough side of sex(think BDSM), but I just don't read it that way.

In some ways, I often wondered if he wanted her to cheat on her bf/so with him? And he's just, to me, saying...hey, I've got something big sized for you.

But, dunno, I don't see the rape aspect.

[healingme4me]

Originally Posted by Eliza Jane

Even if we don't call it rape, at face value the song is against the notion that "no means no." The girl is saying she doesn't want it, and he is trying to push her. Not okay. We need to teach society that no means no. Period.

BUt there's no where in the lyrics that the woman, says no!

It's like, hey baby, you're the hottest chick around, I know you want some of what I've got, if you want me, here I am, type of song.
((and here's all the things we can do.....))

[Eliza Jane]

This is a link which some might find triggering, but I think it adds to the discussion here (good topic, btw, dr. Skipper).

It talks about how the lines in the song are disturbingly similar to things rapists say (again, likely triggering for some ):

From the Mouths of Rapists: Lyrics of Robin Thicke’s 'Blurred Lines'

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by Eliza Jane

This is a link which some might find triggering, but I think it adds to the discussion here (good topic, btw, dr. Skipper).

It talks about how the lines in the song are disturbingly similar to things rapists say (again, likely triggering for some ):

From the Mouths of Rapists: Lyrics of Robin Thicke’s 'Blurred Lines'

Um that was what I posted in the OP, and that's what we're discussing, is it taken too out of context or is it just another dirty, catchy song?

[Eliza Jane]

Originally Posted by DrSkipper

Um that was what I posted in the OP, and that's what we're discussing, is it taken too out of context or is it just another dirty, catchy song?

Lol, the link didn't work when I first read the thread. (Red face)

Tried to edit the post because of my stupidity, but it won't work.

[Citrine]

Im not sure if its a far as that but the premise of a man insisting that a woman wants it, like hes trying to convince her and push her is pretty obvious. There is some sort of coercing intended in those lyrics. The video is gross to me anyway, older men than the women depicted (acting and dressed like young girls teasing men) having these men faun all over them and chase them about. Mens bloody fantasies!

[Nine Lives]

Our culture has alarmingly normalized language like in the lyrics to this song, so a lot of people don't find it problematic, but it most definitely is. I wouldn't say it's deliberately about rape directly, but it's the language of male sexual dominance which is associated with rape. There are too many people out there who adopt the ideology presented in this song. That is a huge problem. Either way, we need to stop this normalization of male dominance against women.

[Mamame]

I think where the danger lies in that song is it allows someone who would be willing to take advantage of women the opportunity to skew the meaning to suit their warped rationalization. I am sick to death of women being objectified in film/music...all media.
We have come such a long way yet we still have such a long way to go. What scares me as a Mum is that I have to constantly question my own beliefs wondering if in someway I have been brainwashed or am so accustomed to the current landscape that I pass that on to my Daughter.

Oh, I have that feeling about so many songs, a lot of them oldies now. Going all the way back to Elvis: It's Now or Never, "my love won't wait." Excuse me, but that sounds to me like "put out or get out." Ditto for many of Gary Puckett's songs. Lady Willpower, for one. The very next line after the title is that same wording, "it's now or never, give your love to me..." and then he tries to shame her with, "Did no one ever tell you about the facts of life? Well, there's so much you have to learn." Puckett's This Girl Is a Woman Now more than hints, the difference between a girl and a woman is, a woman says yes.

And Bobby Vee did a song that sounds so beautiful on the surface, but it's insulting when you hear the words. Come Back When You Grow Up, Girl, in other words, when you're willing to spread 'em. "You're still living in a paper doll world. Soon you'll be a woman...."

In my opinion, coercing a woman into having sex by shaming her and calling her immature if she doesn't want to, is just as bad as rape.

But I do think you can be "too much" of a feminist, if it gets into hating all men. I prefer to think of myself as an egalitarian. I don't think either gender should be held superior, or put down. Men and women will always be different, but "equal" doesn't mean "identical."

[RomanSunburn]

The first time I heard the song, I just thought it was annoying. But when I read the lyrics and took the time to listen to them, I started hating the song. I have a lot of issues with it, but I really don't like the line, "I know you want it." I resent the idea that women don't know what they want until a man tells them what they want.