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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

Pharrell Williams

30 replies

CailinDana · 28/05/2014 15:54

What's his deal? He sang that utter excrement "Blurred Lines" and yet was on BBC Breakfast this morning sounding like he'd swallowed "Our Blood."
He spoke about how women are not treated fairly, how men can read up on it but never understand it, how he would support Hilary Clinton as President etc.
When the presenter (rightly) asked him about his tendency to write misogynistic turd spew he spouted some tripe about it being about "good girls" having "bad thoughts" and the "blurred lines" that exist around that. I think the man deserves the highest level of bullshit award for that one.
I found myself agreeing with his sentiments around women but how can any feminist take him seriously when his public face openly sneers at women?

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TaraKnowles · 28/05/2014 16:02

I agree, I wish he had said 'normal' women having 'normal' thoughts. The interviewer could have questioned him further on why he thought that more female leaders would make such a difference and how.

I think he had been through a pr machine to minimise blurred lines. I didn't really buy it.

Original poster
CailinDana · 28/05/2014 16:05

What I'm wondering is if he made Blurred Lines without really thinking, or just thinking of the money and now he feels bad/it's damaged his reputation and he's trying to backtrack, or if he genuinely holds what appears to me to be two opposing views - that women matter but that treating them like sex toys and talking about shit like "good girls" and "bad thoughts" is ok.

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Original poster
CailinDana · 28/05/2014 16:06

On the one hand I'm pleased to see a young man with a "cool" image and strong public voice speaking sensibly about feminism in a way that might actually reach people, but I think unless he openly disowns Blurred Lines it all rings a bit false - is that too harsh?

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fuckinglondonballs · 28/05/2014 16:08

He sounds like a fairly normal person - has contradictory views, developing his thoughts as he goes, not articulating himself that well, being a bit of a hypocrite.

Maybe the Blurred Lines backlash gave him something to think about.

I do like to give people the benefit of the doubt though and would rather encourage them to keep thinking and developing their views than should 'Shitty mysoginistic twat!' at every opportunity.

Reminds me of this article. Ignore it's about Beyonce and just replace her name with 'a lot of people' m.essence.com/2013/12/17/beyonces-unconventional-and-flawed-feminism/

IdrisElbaIsMyHusband · 28/05/2014 16:08

He's 41 so hardly young

fuckinglondonballs · 28/05/2014 16:09

Big x post Smile

Scarletohello · 28/05/2014 16:11

I think any man who thinks it's ok to be in a video with naked women doesn't understand the first thing about feminism. ( check out the uncensored video on YouTube if you don't know what I mean ). It was a v catchy song, though totally ripped off from Marvyn Gaye and I like it as a dance song. But the lyrics, surely they knew what they meant when they were writing and singing them...??

StealthPolarBear · 28/05/2014 16:13

Was blurred lines not robin thicke? Or am I missing something?

Original poster
CailinDana · 28/05/2014 16:13

Well this is the problem Scarlet. What he said this morning really struck me as it's so rare to hear a man even mention women and talk about women's rights etc as a real issue, which is quite sad in a way really. Does the fact he made that ridiculous song negate his message?

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RamsaySnowsSausage · 28/05/2014 16:13

I heard an interview with him recently saying he'd called his album 'Girl' in tribute to all the wonderful women in his life. He sounded earnest but quite confused. (Also why call it 'girl' if it's about women..although he did write 'boys' or Britney, so can let that one go Wink). He did sound genuine but incredibly patronising...'girls can contribute so much...' (gee, thanks), 'girls have always supported me..' etc.

I didn't see the interview this morning but that he recognises that 'men can read up on it but never understand' is fantastic. He is incredibly popular right now so it's positive he's speaking out like this but some of his work is at odds with these revelations.

noddyholder · 28/05/2014 16:14

Talks shit but means well. I am completely blinded by his ahem appeal though so what do I know?

Original poster
CailinDana · 28/05/2014 16:14

It was both of them Stealth.

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SirChenjin · 28/05/2014 16:14

He's trying to dig himself out of a big hole...this is now the new right-on Pharrell who just luffs the wimmin dontcha know, and all is now forgiven apparently.

I hope he issues a heartfelt apology for Blurred Lines and confirms that he was forced to write it at gunpoint - because there can be no other explanation for that piece of misogynistic guff.

MewlingQuim · 28/05/2014 16:16

He gives me the creeps.

I suspect he's saying what he thinks women want to hear.

SirChenjin · 28/05/2014 16:17

I'd still do him though.

noddyholder · 28/05/2014 16:17

Of course he is it sounds like pr and it is. He can hardly say anything else

LizzieVereker · 28/05/2014 16:17

I think his stated rationale behind the "Blurred Lines" debacle is that there should not be a concept of good/bad girls or good/bad thoughts about sex, women should be able to express their sexuality freely...although this doesn't really explain some of the more dubious lyrics in the song.

But as fuckinglondonballs said above, if the backlash has made him think, that's all to the good, surely? He does seem to be a fairly lucid chap, now that he's reflected on it all.

noddyholder · 28/05/2014 16:18

Sirchenin naughty (me too)

LizzieVereker · 28/05/2014 16:18

But I should add that I'm not keen on his hat.

RamsaySnowsSausage · 28/05/2014 16:19

Yeah me three noddy We could have been in the Blurred Lines vid Grin

noddyholder · 28/05/2014 16:21

Blurred vision maybe at my age

Original poster
CailinDana · 28/05/2014 16:22

The hat was awful. He is rather nice though.

I would have so much more respect for him if he said "You know what, it was a catchy song that made me a lot of money but I get where people are coming from when they say it's misogynistic and I didn't intend that." I think that would be enough to indicate he isn't an armchair feminist, willing to spout feminist views when it suits him but make money from misogyny at the same time.

His "explanation" of the song was just totally meaningless and quite insulting really.

So does that negate the fact that what he said in the interview was actually well thought out and relevant?

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SirChenjin · 28/05/2014 16:35

Well said Cailin

UriGeller · 28/05/2014 16:40

I reckon him to be the sort that says, women showing their titties is empowering! Women can show their tits, its their choice! Feminism yeah!

But he's very pretty so I shall forgive him. Wink

ReallyFuckingFedUp · 28/05/2014 18:47

On the one hand I'm pleased to see a young man with a "cool" image and strong public voice speaking sensibly about feminism in a way that might actually reach people, but I think unless he openly disowns Blurred Lines it all rings a bit false - is that too harsh?

Seriously, he is in his 40s. He does look young though. I wonder how easy it is to get swept up in to things and then after you do them realise you've made a misogynistic pile of shit and a rapey horrible song and video.