Real beliefs of well-known artists on social injustices within the music industry and centered on award shows were recently brought to light.
The MTV Video Music Awards completely blew up my Twitter last weekend; I didn’t even have to turn on my TV to know what was going on or to see Kanye West dance to The Weeknd. However, I did watch it to see the aftermath of Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift’s “beef” as well as Miley Cyrus’ interview where she made comments on the Twitter controversy.
Both Swift and Cyrus have been taking great stances on social issues. Swift has been vocalizing the issue of sexism, whereas Cyrus has been expressing her pansexuality and doing amazing things for the LGBT community and The Happy Hippie Foundation. However, what was overlooked by Swift on Twitter and in Cyrus’ interview was intersectionality — the understanding that oppressions are interlinked. This lack of acknowledgment and understanding made the two artists come off as stereotypical, white feminists on very high platforms.
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It’s important to understand that white feminism does not mean one has to be white in order to be categorized as a white feminist. It just means that person is either deliberately or unintentionally overlooking how oppressions are connected, a common problem for white people. For them it is difficult for to comprehend that, in order to fight for the rights of women, they must fight against the oppressions battled by every type of women, such as women of color, gay women, women in poverty, transwomen, etc.
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The brief discussion by Swift and Minaj on Twitter leading up to the VMAs really brought Swift’s lack of intersectionality to light. Minaj was upset with the racism and body-shaming integrated in the music industry, but all Swift saw was the sexism. After Minaj and her followers educated her with tweets and posts, Swift was able to professionally handle herself and learn from her mistake. Apologies were made and the two performed onstage together on that monumental night.
It is possible to evolve, even if it is slowly, from white feminism into intersectional feminism: all it takes is a little open-mindedness and understanding that there are other issues linked to one’s own.
In like manner, Cyrus ignored intersectionality but her approach was very different than Swift’s. She deliberately placed herself into the discussion between the other two artists and vocalized her distaste for how Minaj handled herself on Twitter. She claimed that Minaj made the situation all about her. Then when confronted publicly by Minaj, Cyrus claimed that the industry twisted her words in the interview. This is something many people, especially white feminists, claim after saying something insensitive or completely ignorant. They make themselves appear to be victims in the situation.
We all must understand that a person can be a fantastic human rights activist and role model, but if one is unable to see the big picture and understand intersectionality then changes need to be made. It is possible to grow out of white, one-dimensional feminism: it just takes a little understanding and a little bit of Minaj’s no-bullshit way of dealing with ignorance … so, white feminists, what’s good?
Elizabeth Chidlow is a sophomore studying journalism, a minor in political science and specializing in social media/business. She is also a student affiliate for the American Association of Undergraduate Women (AAUW). What do you think are the most important social issues facing the Ohio University community? Email her at ec629914@ohio.edu.
