For
those of you that have always followed my blog(s), you know that I have had a
strong relationship with Katy Perry for quite some time. She's always there for
my breakups and for drunk anthems and empowering songs about straining vocal
chords, but lately I've been noticing some major flaws that are really pulling
us apart.
1)
"Ur So Gay"
When
I was a silly little sophomore in college, I came across this Katy Perry song
and I thought it was hilarious. After dealing with one very tumultuous
relationship, I fell in love with this man-hating angry rant. As most pop songs
do, this one faded from my recently played lists and others songs surpassed it.
Enter my spoken word love affair, namely that with Sierra DeMulder. As I combed
through her droves of youtube videos I found one named "Katy Perry"
and in that poem Sierra destroyed that song. Everyone should watch it after
looking up the lyrics to "Ur So Gay" so here's the link. Basically
the entire song is an attempt to destroy an ex-boyfriend while picking apart
everything he did that was 'feminine' and not 'masculine.' GROAN. She even goes
as far as telling said ex to hang himself with his H&M scarf. Come on,
girl. You're supposed to be a champion of gay rights.
2) Geisha
Dress-Up
At
the 2013 American Music Awards Katy Perry opened the show with a performance of
"Unconditionally" that was complete with 'geishas' surrounded with
cherry blossoms and all sorts of Western manipulated traditional Japanese
figures. I will fully admit that at first I was in awe of the spectacle
because it was beautifully orchestrated (Katy's voice less impressive, ugh) but
the more accusations that arose about this particular performance being
inherently racist the more I agreed. I haven't really done my research here but
I HIGHLY DOUBT that this homage to Japanese culture was deeply researched to
make sure the performance was respectful. Katy Perry just pressed her palms
together a lot and swung an umbrella around in a gown with verrrrry long slits
up the side. Hm. At least she wasn't wearing heels too, right? I just feel like
when dealing with cultures that have existed for thousands of years one should
probably not fuck around and make it pretty to some pop music soundtrack.
Maybe.
3)
Feminism.
Katy
what does feminism mean? "It just means that I love myself as a female,
and I also love men."
You
know, she's trying. But NO. What the fuck? That statement lends itself as
an example of so many societal issues ahhh. Why is that a qualifier to
your feminism, Katy? I know that you kissed a girl and you liked it but you
don't need to reaffirm your heterosexuality for us all the time. My anger is
not because Katy Perry did stand on the rooftop and proclaim to all the world
that she is indeed a feminist. I am angry because as a prominent female figure
Katy Perry did not take the time to understand what feminism is, what it means
to her, what it really means in the world.
4)
There are so many other things. The obvious caricatures of black women (most
recently) and that goddamn music video with her now-ex John Mayer. What was
that? Ick. And don't even get me started on her "Birthday" music
video. She made small children cry, marginalized the Jewish community,
dressed up as an old woman and pretended to collapse in front of a bunch of
elderly people, and pretended to be a drunk clown at a party in some park.
Oh, she also dressed up like a pretty princess and that was the only time she
showed her face in costume--when she was dressed like a fking PRINCESS.
I
know, you'll all tell me Katy Perry is just a pop star and I can't expect so
much from her. The truth is, I'm learning not to. So many women are making
breakthroughs in the music biz and so many strong female role models are
developing that if Katy Perry continues on this path she will quickly become
obsolete. I just wanted to get all of the guilt I have been harboring
about being a Katy Perry fan off my chest.
Katy,
our love affair must come to an end. You have helped me through many hard times
and some of those songs will always be special. However, I cannot stand by and
watch you destroy yourself with every interview and every act. Ignorance is not
a good look on anyone.
Excuse
me while I go drink my tea and figure out if Sierra DeMulder has a fan
club orrr what.
