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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Sexual violence in Rihanna video

130 replies

Cheeseandhamtoast · 03/07/2015 00:01

I've just posted about this in AIBU, but the general consensus was that IABU to be bothered about this. So I thought I would give it a go here.

I'm not going to link, but I am absolutely disgusted at the new Rihanna video. Especially coming from Rihanna who has been a victim of domestic violence herself. Who would make a video like this?

I just despair at what is becoming mainstream. For example, Sam Smith has just tweeted a link to it to his 3 million followers, many of which will be young teenagers.

OP posts:
Badonna · 03/07/2015 09:00

YANBU.

HippyDippyRidingPretty · 03/07/2015 09:34

Just caught your thread on AIBU and went off to watch the video.

It's bloody vile. All of it. Uncomfortable to watch.

YANBU

milliemanzi · 03/07/2015 12:39

The violence made me feel uncomfortable but no more than any other gratuitous violence in films and tv, of which there is loads. I think it was more shocking to me as you don't expect to see that in a music video so it was more that than anything.

However I don't think her being a victim of domestic violence should have anything to do with it, she didn't ask to be a spokesperson for domestic violence survivors any more than she asked to be a victim and I don't see how we should make her feel guilty for producing the same violence in mainstream media we see constantly for that reason in itself.

milliemanzi · 03/07/2015 12:40

GOD SORRY IVE WORDED ALOT OF THAT VERY BADLY

BreakingDad77 · 03/07/2015 14:09

The Rnb and hip hop industry still has a lot to answer for, and its sad that its continually given a pass.

milliemanzi · 03/07/2015 14:24

What have the rnb and hiphop industry got to do with gratuitous sexual violence in mainstream films and TV?!

TheXxed · 03/07/2015 14:27

RnB and Hip Hop are scrutinised far more than other genres

Also YABU

JohnFarleysRuskin · 03/07/2015 14:31

Surely music industry should be scrutinized because there are less controls.

DS 6 wouldn't watch an 18 film, but he goes to a sports clubhouse where they play music videos etc in the background, all day long.

Lovely stuff. Confused

Mide7 · 03/07/2015 15:30

Violent music/ music videos have been around for years, from emimem recently to Johnny cash and Tom Jones longer ago.

I always think that I'm sure it does influence people but the type of people it influences would get the same thing from other sources. Whether that's the news, books, eastenders, their imagination.

( I'm at work and haven't seen the video, I'll look later)

BreakingDad77 · 03/07/2015 16:25

What have the rnb and hiphop industry got to do with gratuitous sexual violence in mainstream films and TV?!

Positive reinforcement of tropes about black people.

Foxypaws70 · 03/07/2015 16:44

I just posted over there, but wanted to say, loudly, YANBU Sad

milliemanzi · 03/07/2015 18:00

Breakingdad have you seen the video? This is violence against women similar to that you see in a Quentin Tarantino or horror film, it isn't a typical r&b video..

LassUnparalleled · 03/07/2015 19:35

Until fairly recently I didn't know who she was. I still haven't knowingly heard anything by her. The little I do know about her does not endear her to me.

WhirlpoolGalaxyM51 · 03/07/2015 19:42

Not seen the video.

In general sexual violence (depictions of, increasingly graphic) are becoming more prevalent in mainstream media, especially in a lot of the crime drama glossy US stuff I like to watch (I know I know I take my feminist hat off for them!).

I think there are a few reasons for this.

Violence has been done, no longer has shock factor, sexual violence is the obvious next step.

US TV seems to be pretty relaxed about violence and much less so about sex. However, it's always good to have pretty young women with their clothes off, in sexual situations. How to achieve this? Sexual violence ticks the boxes, in that a sexual encounter can be shown, including partial nudity for the woman etc, but as it's a depiction of a violent crime which also is the thing that will be investigated it is not "gratuitous" or whatever else it is their censors / media / get their knickers in a twist about. So, win/win. Well apart from the bit where sexual violence is then depicted in a titillating way, which is, you know, extremely disturbing.

That's my thoughts anyway. Like I say, not seen the video.

LassUnparalleled · 03/07/2015 20:01

RnB and Hip Hop are scrutinised far more than other genres

Possibly because say fey indie bands are unlikely to use sexist language or star in videos with gratuitous sexual violence? Fairly certain say Belle and Sebastian's entire oeuvre could be scrutinised and you'd find nothing of concern.

Mide7 · 03/07/2015 20:13

Well of course lass but you could pick hip hop artists who don't say anything sexist or glorify violence as well.

Macklemore recently did a song called "same love" about gay marriage ( not related to violence but more trying to give examples of less hostile topics), someone like lupe fiasco has lots of song about subjects that aren't just about typical rap topics. "old school" hip hop was more about fighting the man than it was about women or drugs.

Well as someone prodigy did a song called "smack my bitch up"

Mide7 · 03/07/2015 20:16

The last bit should read

Where as someone like the prodigy did a song called "smack my bitch up"

LassUnparalleled · 03/07/2015 20:25

I'm sure you are right. It's not a genre which interests me at all.

The video is shocking.

LassUnparalleled · 03/07/2015 20:29

I haven't read the other thread but is it the fact it is women who are carrying out the violence meant to make it acceptable? (I assume I have watched the right video)

EhricLovesTheBhrothers · 03/07/2015 20:38

It's a horrible and disturbing video. I don't see the point of it.

BreakingDad77 · 03/07/2015 22:16

Lol millienanzi I have been listening to rap and hip hop since 2 live crew, is just now as an adult when I relisten to songs, and actually take note of the lyrics, kinda feels awkward now, e.g listening to wu tang clans song from the W album, let my niggas live, which I thought was awesome at the time now:
"I been on boats, nut down throats, pee on bitches who famous
Pretty dick, puttin stitches in they anus"

Doesn't sound so cool.

LassUnparalleled · 04/07/2015 01:06

You didn't say how old you were but I'm struggling to imagine any age when what you have quoted could ever have been considered cool.

YonicScrewdriver · 04/07/2015 06:47

"Surely music industry should be scrutinized because there are less controls.
DS 6 wouldn't watch an 18 film, but he goes to a sports clubhouse where they play music videos etc in the background, all day long. "

I agree with this and think there should be more consideration about showing music channels in cafés etc if the videos would never be on before the "watershed"

BreakingDad77 · 04/07/2015 06:54

Lassunparalledd well the song itself had to me a really good sample, and the speed of the rapping I was kinda missing what was being said.

WhirlpoolGalaxyM51 · 04/07/2015 15:41

Breakingdad that happens to me! When you're young you just don't listen to / think about the lyrics and half the time you can't really make them out, you're just hearing disjointed words.

I bought an album recently which is a compilation (now that IS cool Grin) and listening to songs now that I liked before I'm just like Oh shit that's not good I can't really enjoy this properly any more.