Interesting Article!

Tropical Wilds

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I'm sorry, I hate articles like this decrying "Blurred Lines" for so, so many reasons.

1. It seems like most people don't know what the song is truly about. The song was written with and about his relationship with his wife. Hence the lyric at the end to "here's to our beginning" and the line in the extended edition about how he's proud to have put a ring on her finger. He felt inspire to write it because even after 15 years together, she finds her sexy, she finds him attractive, and they still act like a hot young couple in certain occasions. The 'blurred lines' refers to how they are an old married couple with a child and responsibilities, but on the other side of the line they're still the frisky couple they've always been, like newlyweds. Yes it's provocative, especially the rap portion, but no more so than most songs. Why we're focusing on this song when so many more graphic songs are out there, I don't get.

2. I don't understand how some people get that this song encourages rape, domestic abuse (like this article implied), misogyny, or male domination and coerced relationships. The lyrics are pretty clear... The initiator is the woman. "You're a good girl, the way you grab me, means you want to get nasty, go ahead and come get me" and "I feel so lucky, you want to hug me, what rhymes with hug me?" He's guilty of horrible rhyming, but not of some sort of anti-female sentiment... Certainly not rape or domestic abuse. He's the dominated person in the song, not the woman.

3. The VMA's, oh, the VMA's. In all honestly, what did people expect? It's the VMA's. Britney Spears, Madonna, and Christina Aguilera kissed on stage. Nikki Minage made out with a man dressed like the Pope. One of the hosts was Tom Green's "Buttman" which was him in a spandex unitard with his butt hanging out, farting on things. Madonna and various performances for "Like a Virgin" and "Like a Prayer." Lady Gaga and her various performances, drenched in blood, hanging on a cross, and including the first one of the night where she was nude. Lil Kim had a breast out of her outfit. Intentionally. Rose McGowan showed up nude. Considering Miley Cyrus's hit song of the moment talks about breaking into a random person's house to party, do crack in the bathroom and get high on pot and she's been infamous for her twerking ability for quite some time, paired with her desire to distance herself as far from her roots as possible, I say again... What did people expect? This wasn't the Oscars.

4. While people were appalled with her performance, now people are starting to turn on Robin Thicke, asking what he was thinking. He's older, married, and apparently should have known better... But what did he do? He's already said numerous times the performance they rehearsed is faaaaar from what Miley Cyrus did. That she improvised heavily because she was "caught in the moment." He also said that he was "disappointed" that her behavior overshadowed what was supposed to be his moment with arguably the biggest audience he'll ever have in his career.

5. His behavior on the stage clearly highlighted his discomfort with her behavior. He engaged her at the start of the performance, like you'd figure two people in a duet would do, but when she walked by and grabbed his crotch, his performance totally changed. He didn't engage her, he didn't so much as look at her. He even even went so far as to obviously sing parts of his song that were supposed to be her parts. When she backed up in front of him, he didn't touch her, look at her, or even acknowledge her... He did look left and right to see if he could slide away (which he couldn't, they were on the narrow walkway) and then he looked up and away. When she got up, he took off. When she climbed on him and nibbled his neck, he didn't touch her, look at her, or interact with her. Gave no indication that it was part of the performance and certainly didn't indicate it was solicited. Then, at the end of the performance, another artist was introduced and what was supposed to be a 3-way musical performance was actually Miley relegated to a stage alone, out of camera view (the audience didn't even know she was there until the end) and Robin Thicke on the stage the absolute furthest from her as possible. He didn't do his bows with her, he didn't see her afterwards in the press room, and he wasn't seen with her again in the crowds. I'm not sure what he's accountable for in the performance. He indicated in his behavior he didn't want to participate, it wasn't what they rehearsed, and short of leaving the stage in what was probably a career-defining opportunity, I don't see what else he could have done to express he was a non-willing participant.

The discussion I think we should be having with our boys as a result of the whole incident is that just because you're a guy, just because you're supposed to "want" sex and "want" attention from women, that doesn't excuse a woman grabbing your crotch, climbing on you, pressing her tush against you and gyrating, and otherwise violating your body and sexuality. So he sang a song that's sexually charged that a lot of people apparently don't get, like, or think is raunchy. So what? Just like a woman who wears a tank top and a thong doesn't invite a rape, a man who sings a song about sex (sex with his wife I might add) doesn't invite a woman to invite however she wants on and with you. And we need to start teaching our girls some respect too, not for themselves, but for others. Let's face it, Miley Cyrus is 20 years old, she knows what she's doing and she's old enough to decide if this is the image she wants to cultivate for herself. If she wants to act like this, that's her business and her problem. We spend all this time teaching girls to respect themselves, respect their bodies, all that... But in the end, very little time telling them to respect men and men's bodies. If she wants to act like a hoochy fine, and if she wants to be sexually provocative... Whatever. The problem is that doesn't give her the right to do to others whatever she wishes. She can trash her own body, but not that of a guy 15 years older than her with a 16 year long relationship and a small child.

THAT was inappropriate.

And no, I'm not a fan of the man... And I don't like the song. I just feel bad that we're talking about his role of blame in this when, in actuality, he did nothing but sing a song and absolutely nobody called her out for how her behavior towards him wasn't right. Again, I think the assumption is that he's a guy and therefore he must "want it." Because what guy who's flirting with 40 wouldn't want a half naked girl grabbing his crotch and climbing him like a stripper pole?
 
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CounselorForChrist

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Just like a woman who wears a tank top and a thong doesn't invite a rape
As I read before you said that I was thinking the same thing. "Justified rape". >.<

I agree with everything you said. BTW who watches the VMAs? Its always been a disgusting show.
 
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Hetta

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His behavior on the stage clearly highlighted his discomfort with her behavior. He engaged her at the start of the performance, like you'd figure two people in a duet would do, but when she walked by and grabbed his crotch, his performance totally changed. He didn't engage her, he didn't so much as look at her. He even even went so far as to obviously sing parts of his song that were supposed to be her parts. When she backed up in front of him, he didn't touch her, look at her, or even acknowledge her... He did look left and right to see if he could slide away (which he couldn't, they were on the narrow walkway) and then he looked up and away. When she got up, he took off. When she climbed on him and nibbled his neck, he didn't touch her, look at her, or interact with her. Gave no indication that it was part of the performance and certainly didn't indicate it was solicited. Then, at the end of the performance, another artist was introduced and what was supposed to be a 3-way musical performance was actually Miley relegated to a stage alone, out of camera view (the audience didn't even know she was there until the end) and Robin Thicke on the stage the absolute furthest from her as possible. He didn't do his bows with her, he didn't see her afterwards in the press room, and he wasn't seen with her again in the crowds. I'm not sure what he's accountable for in the performance. He indicated in his behavior he didn't want to participate, it wasn't what they rehearsed, and short of leaving the stage in what was probably a career-defining opportunity, I don't see what else he could have done to express he was a non-willing participant.

The discussion I think we should be having with our boys as a result of the whole incident is that just because you're a guy, just because you're supposed to "want" sex and "want" attention from women, that doesn't excuse a woman grabbing your crotch, climbing on you, pressing her tush against you and gyrating, and otherwise violating your body and sexuality. So he sang a song that's sexually charged that a lot of people apparently don't get, like, or think is raunchy. So what? Just like a woman who wears a tank top and a thong doesn't invite a rape, a man who sings a song about sex (sex with his wife I might add) doesn't invite a woman to invite however she wants on and with you. And we need to start teaching our girls some respect too, not for themselves, but for others. Let's face it, Miley Cyrus is 20 years old, she knows what she's doing and she's old enough to decide if this is the image she wants to cultivate for herself. If she wants to act like this, that's her business and her problem. We spend all this time teaching girls to respect themselves, respect their bodies, all that... But in the end, very little time telling them to respect men and men's bodies. If she wants to act like a hoochy fine, and if she wants to be sexually provocative... Whatever. The problem is that doesn't give her the right to do to others whatever she wishes. She can trash her own body, but not that of a guy 15 years older than her with a 16 year long relationship and a small child.

THAT was inappropriate.

And no, I'm not a fan of the man... And I don't like the song. I just feel bad that we're talking about his role of blame in this when, in actuality, he did nothing but sing a song and absolutely nobody called her out for how her behavior towards him wasn't right. Again, I think the assumption is that he's a guy and therefore he must "want it." Because what guy who's flirting with 40 wouldn't want a half naked girl grabbing his crotch and climbing him like a stripper pole?
I'm just curious about this - you evidently know more about these guys and current pop culture than I ever will - it has just passed me by - but I did see a photograph of this Thicke guy taken at the VMAs (backstage) where he had his arm around a fan. What he didn't know was that there was a mirror behind him, and the mirror caught him squeezing the fan's behind. He is literally "cupping" her butt. (I'm describing rather than posting the image, but you can easily find it online). So if he was that outraged and is that crazy about his wife and that protective of his marriage, I can only say .. HUH? And I wish I had a really funny gif to sum up my confusion. I'm sure that someone can find one. Kind of a "say what?" moment.
 
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ValleyGal

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Here is how the article ends:
So what can we do? In order to change the way we view women culturally, we need to change the way we view women individually. We need to call b***s*** on attempts to end domestic violence and misogyny towards women by only talking to our daughters. We need to talk to our sons and our brothers about respecting women and respecting themselves.

It starts in homes. It starts in small conversations that treat all people as worthy and equal. It starts with having the courage to speak out against the wide variety of forces in our society that objectify women.


It starts with understanding that as men, our value does not come from how much power we hold over women. Our value comes from being respected and being loved as we respect and love the people who matter to us.


Bolding is original to the article.



I don't think it's so much about the song or what happened on stage. It's about getting this message out: it's not enough that feminists talk to women about leaving unhealthy and abusive relationships. It's not enough that feminists talk to men about the unfairness of the power imbalance and their enforcement of perceived power in the home. The only way to address these issues is by teaching our sons the appropriate way to treat women - by respecting them and treating them as equals; and by teaching our sons that it's not okay to be treated the way Robin Thicke was treated in the video - that our boys do not have to take that kind of disrespectful treatment, just as women do not have to take disrespectful treatment.
 
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Romanseight2005

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If I could post the lyrics on here, I would. They are xrated though, and if CF will allow me to, I will post a link to the lyrics. There is no way that anyone can claim this was all Miley's doing, because she was just doing what the song said to do. Iow, she was being a good little submissive woman to the man.

Robin Thicke - Blurred Lines Lyrics
 
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Romanseight2005

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As I read before you said that I was thinking the same thing. "Justified rape". >.<

I agree with everything you said. BTW who watches the VMAs? Its always been a disgusting show.


First of all, a woman wearing a tank top and shorts, is very likely wearing them to be comfortable. Secondly, even if a woman wants to dress sexually because she wants sex, still doesn't mean she wants to be raped, or that she asked for it.

Now, in the case of the song, Miley was acting out the lyrics, plain and simple. That doesn't let her off the hook, at all. She still chose to do it. However, she didn't come up with those actions out of thin air. It's what the song laid out.

As to who watches those awards? Let me just say, it's not a 21 and over only audience. There were kids in the audience. What if a child happens to be up for a music award? They would be in that audience. So I am sorry but the whole thing was wrong, and Robin doesn't get off the hook.
 
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ValleyGal

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Did she read the lyrics before agreeing to do the song? She is just as much to blame as he is. In fact, just because they sing it, doesn't meant they have to act it out onstage. The lyrics are disgusting, but acting on it onstage is even worse. At least he had the class not to act on it. But both are in the wrong.
 
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Hetta

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Romanseight2005

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Did she read the lyrics before agreeing to do the song? She is just as much to blame as he is. In fact, just because they sing it, doesn't meant they have to act it out onstage. The lyrics are disgusting, but acting on it onstage is even worse. At least he had the class not to act on it. But both are in the wrong.

I agree that they are both in the wrong here. The point of the article, however, is that Robin as also to blame here. His song, what he was singing, and the fact that he sang it with her out there, meant he was just as much a part of it all as she was, yet she was getting ALL of the blame.

Furthermore, go do a search and find his actual music video. The girls in the video were also acting the song out,, so he wasn't an innocent bystander.
 
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hijklmnop

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He had the class not to act on his lyrics? Have any of you seen his video?! Yeah, he's classy if your idea of class is a man that behaves like a pimp and promoting the idea that he knows better than a woman what she wants sexually. That's the definition of "blurred lines". Please, Robin Thicke defenders, watch his videos and read the lyrics. This guy also, btw, has sixteen years of life experience on Miley. Her act was gross, but she is only 20 and surrounded by people whose goal is to get her to do whatever possible to keep her famous and relevant. It's all working, but at what cost?

If my son was old enough to have seen this, I would be having a talk with him about how Robin Thicke is NOT the kind of man he should look up to as a role model regarding the treatment of women.
 
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Romanseight2005

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He had the class not to act on his lyrics? Have any of you seen his video?! Yeah, he's classy if your idea of class is a man that behaves like a pimp and promoting the idea that he knows better than a woman what she wants sexually. That's the definition of "blurred lines". Please, Robin Thicke defenders, watch his videos and read the lyrics. This guy also, btw, has sixteen years of life experience on Miley. Her act was gross, but she is only 20 and surrounded by people whose goal is to get her to do whatever possible to keep her famous and relevant. It's all working, but at what cost?

If my son was old enough to have seen this, I would be having a talk with him about how Robin Thicke is NOT the kind of man he should look up to as a role model regarding the treatment of women.


Very true. He definitely wasn't a mere victim.
 
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ValleyGal

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I don't think anyone is saying he is a victim. He is just as much to blame. The premise of the article is in the last three paragraphs that I quoted earlier....that we need to teach our sons and daughters to respect self and others. If Robin had been taught that it was wrong to make inappropriate contentographic lyrics and to treat women with respect, the song would not exist. But even if it did, if Miley was taught self respect and respect for men, she would not have groped and contributed to the women's oppression of sex objectivity.

It is never okay to write lyrics like that. It is never okay for her to grope him onstage, and it is never okay for him to cup a fan's butt. Everyone was in the wrong.
 
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Romanseight2005

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I don't think anyone is saying he is a victim. He is just as much to blame. The premise of the article is in the last three paragraphs that I quoted earlier....that we need to teach our sons and daughters to respect self and others. If Robin had been taught that it was wrong to make inappropriate contentographic lyrics and to treat women with respect, the song would not exist. But even if it did, if Miley was taught self respect and respect for men, she would not have groped and contributed to the women's oppression of sex objectivity.

It is never okay to write lyrics like that. It is never okay for her to grope him onstage, and it is never okay for him to cup a fan's butt. Everyone was in the wrong.


Agreed. :)
 
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Tropical Wilds

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I'm just curious about this - you evidently know more about these guys and current pop culture than I ever will - it has just passed me by - but I did see a photograph of this Thicke guy taken at the VMAs (backstage) where he had his arm around a fan. What he didn't know was that there was a mirror behind him, and the mirror caught him squeezing the fan's behind. He is literally "cupping" her butt. (I'm describing rather than posting the image, but you can easily find it online). So if he was that outraged and is that crazy about his wife and that protective of his marriage, I can only say .. HUH? And I wish I had a really funny gif to sum up my confusion. I'm sure that someone can find one. Kind of a "say what?" moment.

I can't answer the picture... I haven't seen it until today, I can only speak to what I've seen about the song and what he says about his wife, and what she says about him, and the origins of the song and the context of the performance.
 
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Tropical Wilds

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If I could post the lyrics on here, I would. They are xrated though, and if CF will allow me to, I will post a link to the lyrics. There is no way that anyone can claim this was all Miley's doing, because she was just doing what the song said to do. Iow, she was being a good little submissive woman to the man.

Robin Thicke - Blurred Lines Lyrics

The way she was dancing, she was dancing in the first half of the performance, without Thicke on stage. During her song about breaking into a stranger's house because she can "do what she wants to," doing coke in the bathroom and pot in the living room. The contested portion with Thicke was less than a minute-and-a-half of a 7 minute performance, 3 minutes of which was her doing what she was doing to Thicke just by herself. The next minute and a half was her and Thicke, the rest was Thicke and the other guy. It wasn't Thicke's song that made her do what she did, she did it before and after the song in question. And of the two songs, there's all the focus on how sexually explicit his song is, but no discussion on how her song is about breaking and entering and it's OK, doing hardcore drugs, and having promiscuous sex with strangers. Arguably as bad, if not worse, than his. A person who writes this kind of song and had earlier in the year filmed herself numerous times herself doing the same moves she ended up doing for the VMAs and puts them on Twitter and Instagram isn't acting because she's possessed by the song of another artist. She's doing it because it's the image she's cultivating, an image that's worked well for Rihanna, Ke$ha, etc etc and is as far from her Disney roots as possible.

She was doing what the song told her to do? Is Robin Thicke the Pied Piper? Millions of people have managed to listen to the song without acting the way that she did. If she acted the way she did, it wasn't because she was doing what the song told her to do, it's because she wanted to make a spectacle of herself during his song. His song doesn't control her actions, regardless of what the song lyrics are.

And the woman in the song is not a submissive woman.
 
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Tropical Wilds

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Now, in the case of the song, Miley was acting out the lyrics, plain and simple. That doesn't let her off the hook, at all. She still chose to do it. However, she didn't come up with those actions out of thin air. It's what the song laid out.

Again, she didn't act out the song... She did a move that's made her infamous for about a year, that she's filmed herself doing and posted to Instagram and Twitter repeatedly, to an eager crowd of people who were thrilled to see her do it as it's become something of her signature. To say the song made her do it or described what she was doing and compelled her to do it... That's simply not the case.

As to who watches those awards? Let me just say, it's not a 21 and over only audience. There were kids in the audience. What if a child happens to be up for a music award? They would be in that audience. So I am sorry but the whole thing was wrong, and Robin doesn't get off the hook.

Anybody who's in the audience knows what's going to go on there. It's the VMAs. Miley Cyrus herself used to not attend because it was too raunchy for the image she was working at the time. The other Disney pop queens, they don't go either. It's not an environment for kids and if they end up there, for any reason, it's because they've either accepted the risks of what they'll see in exchange for the notoriety they'll get (or cultivating that which they have), or it's because they simply aren't affected to it or are exposed to it already. They serve alcohol there for goodness sakes... They know the atmosphere that is being cultivated there.

And really, let's be totally honest here, in the range of salacious acts that have happened there, this is still bottom tier indecent and shocking. I say again, Lady Gaga performed one or two songs earlier and was totally nude. I think the only reason people are in a tizzy with this versus that is that with Lady Gaga, they expect this kind of behavior from her. People still look at Miley Cyrus like she's a 15 year old Disney pop icon on "Hannah Montana." She's not. She's a 20 year old, engaged, woman who's capable of grasping what she's doing and doesn't come up with these ideas because compelled to by a song.
 
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