To be monumentally annoyed by Lily Allen on feminism?

[SeaSickSal]

Lily Allen, in her typical intelligent style, has said that 'Feminism shouldn't even be a thing anymore' because 'everyone is equal'.

This said by Lily Allen who never had to take maternity leave because she had millions in the bank and could just retire until she felt like coming back for a little dabble with a few tunes.

Lily Allen who has probably never worried about how to afford childcare or how it would affect her career prospects having a child, or worry about getting out of an abusive relationship when she has no money.

She goes on to say 'Unless you're standing outside Downing Street with one of those Australian bush hats with dirty tampons in place of corks shouting 'equal rights for men and women', you've got no place telling me what kind of feminist I am or am not.'

Well yes we have actually. Because she's been in an incredibly priviliged position since the day she was born and has never had to face the struggles most other women do with sexism, particularly in the workplace so we have a right to tell her not to use her privileged position to minimize and denigrate other womens experiences.

Am I being unreasonable to think she is a total nob?

[LilacPeonies]

YADNBU just another reason to add to my list of reasons why I can't stand her. Vile woman.

[PortofinoRevisited]

I think YABU because as you say, she was brought up in a privileged position and shares the views many have. I would have agreed with her once. I once thought I was equal and could do anything I wanted. Til I learnt. Til I had a child. But on the other hand, she has written many songs that really send thoughtful and positive messages so therefore she has probably had a much more feminist impact on the world than say me, or Cheryl Cole...so I can forgive her for probably being quoted out of context by the newspapers.

[theresnomewithoutyou]

While I agree with you, I feel that you are dismissing her because she has money. I am not sure that feminism and money should be lumped together. She probably has had her own struggles. Being taken seriously as a woman has very little to do with money. Seems she has 2 crosses to bear. Female and loaded.

[themaltesefalcon]

Knob.

All the same, quite like her, despite the arrant nonsense she spouts.

[PortofinoRevisited]

Why is she vile, LilacPeonies?

[Piscivorus]

I find her intensely annoying, she is the feminist equivalent of a champagne socialist.

[Calloh]

YABU.

I don't think anyone should tell anyone what kind of feminist they are? Is it really that tribal? Has she actually don't something anti-feminist?

I also do think that feminism shouldn't be a thing anymore because everyone is equal. However, clearly not everyone else accepts that and a vast majority of women suffer because of sexism of one type or another at some stage so it is a somewhat naive point.

[JimmyPerez]

YABU to want to demand she not voice her opinion because she's rich. What a twatty thing to say.

[AskBasil]

I think she's a bit of an idiot but wouldn't say I'm monumentally annoyed by her.

I don't expect her to talk sensibly tbh.

I just find it a bit wearying that the media broadcast her thoughts on feminism, rather than those of say, Sheila Jeffereys.

But then, they'd also be more interested in the views of Mark Owen on brain research rather than yanno, an akshul brain scientist.

In the world of the stupid, the person who can actually say the word feminism is seen as suitable to be listened to. Like when Curly Watts was the intellectual of Corrie because he had 2 O levels.

[Sparrowlegs248]

Lily Allen is annoying. In any regard.

[themaltesefalcon]

I thought it was 'cause he had glasses!

[AskBasil]

I think you can read it as feminism shouldn't even be á thing because it shouldn't be necessary.

Which is true, it shouldn't be.

And wouldn't be if men didn't fight so hard to retain their unearned unfair advantage.

Maybe Lily and he ilk should be berating men.

But it's easier and more popular to berate women and easiest of all to berate feminists.

again.

[AskBasil]

LOL maltese, yes, that too.

And he had a telescope.

Or was that Lofty (the other great intellectual - but he was Eastenders wasn't he?)

[ilovemulberry]

Because money solves every problem right?? As if.

Feminism has nothing to do with money.

[YouTheCat]

She's a massively untalented idiot who should keep her big badly educated mouth shut with regard to feminism and also singing.

[RRRJ83]

I think yabu. I believe she's trying to normalise feminism. So that equality is the standard and people are feminist as a standard, until they behave in a sexist manner etc. A bit like how it is assumed no one is racist, until they say/do something racist. For some reason women are scrutinised and dissected to show how their actions are feminist. It shouldn't be that way.

She may be privileged, but she is working in an industry which strongly highlights women's sexuality. She's probably fed up of being portrayed as a feminist above being a talented woman (If you believe she's talented) just because she doesn't go along with the industry stereotype eg. Miley Cyrus.

Not saying she's perfect or anything, but she is not harming feminism, so maybe we should direct our anger at those who do.

[picnicbasketcase]

I think she is making a fair point but not very well. It should be a given that everyone is equal, but it isn't. How rich or privileged she is really isn't relevant, and I suspect a lot of people may be predisposed to disagree with her because they don't like her in the first place.

[LessMissAbs]

So the line on mumsnet seems to be that successful or attractive women (or God forbid, both) are not allowed to be feminists and are automatically to be viewed as privileged and not to have got to where they are through intelligence (whether academic or not), hard work and ability to spot an opportunity?

[Blistory]

I suspect that she will have encountered sexism within the music industry. Wealth only shields you from so much and I'm sure there are instances where it's probably resulted in her encountering sexism.

I have no problem with her voicing her opinion and find it refreshing that she at least has one. I think a little time and maturity may result in her tempering some of her comments and views as it does with all of us.

As an outspoken young woman, she has however become a bit of a media darling when they want a 'ballsy' quote. That's not something that she really gets a say in so I have sympathy with her being set up as a voice of feminism when she's still finding her feet with it all. She's entitled to voice her opinion without being told to STFU but when she does, she's told she's getting it wrong. Her way of getting it wrong is, to me, infinitely better than Miley Cyrus's way of getting it wrong.

I doubt whether at her age I'd have been able to express myself or my anger at sexism coherently nor would I have been able to see that I had privilege that blinded me to other inequities so I can't really condemn her for that.

If she was holding herself out as some expert on women's liberation, I might be prepared to criticise her for some of the daft things she appears to have said but I don't think that she claims that.

[Viviennemary]

I don't think I could pay very much attention to what she said. She can call herself what she likes and do what she likes. Who cares. Not me!!

[puddingsforsandy]

Her latest interview was horrific. How men all like curves like hers and that they think skinny girls are gross. How women and not men are the enermy of women. And the gem how we should all support each other. All in the same interview. Extremley insecure and annoying to boot.

She completely missed the mark when black blogs called her out on using black women as props on her its hard out here video.
I'm using a crap tablet so excuse the typing mistakes

[scottishmummy]

I agree with lily she's quite right in refusing to be judged on how good a feminist she is
I think feminism has an image problem,it is erroneously associated with militants and full ideology
But,I do think she does talk a lot if privileged guff at times esp the wee wifey speech

[bellablot]

Cannot stand her, spoilt little bitch she is!

[Fantissue]

Did you actually continue to read her Twitter feed where she stated that what she had said was sarcastic? No? Then you, madame, are the knob.

Given the things she typically comes out with, did it not even cross your mind that her tongue might be firmly in her cheek?

[scottishmummy]

Yikes,that's harsh!