Thoughts: Media, Music and Miley Cyrus.

Today the internet is frothing in indignation about Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke's controversial VMA performance. It's the top story of most news sources, despite occurring at the same time the UN confirmed the Assad regime's use of chemical weapons and various other unarguable more important world events (a great explanation on modern journalism here.) I'm rather proud of Australia's public broadcasting service, ABC, for ignoring the story.

While I don't believe it to be the most important story of the day, or even news worthy at all, I do think there is much to think about. While the majority of media ignores the real issues, there have been (a few) particularly good articles. 

Chelsea Fagan talks about the gleeful and vitriolic hatred of Miley Cyrus that has nothing to do with valid criticism of her choices as an artist, and everthing to do with her as a young woman, trying to move on from her Disney past:

"It would be foolish to pretend, though, that the majority of the people making jokes about the size of her ass or bemoaning how “slutty” she has become are well-versed in the more nuanced reasons as to why her persona might be worthy of criticism."

The valid criticisms have to do with Miley Cyrus' appropriation of aspects of African American culture. While as a white Australian I really don't have the knowledge or experiences to discuss this, I've read some great articles (this is the best).
I have something of soft spot for Miley, dating back to my Disney Channel days. I find her music catchy, and nostalgic. I used to be able to do the entire 'Hoedown, Throwdown'. Liking her doesn't excuse her from critical analysis, doesn't mean her work isn't problematic, doesn't mean she can do what she wants to without consequences. I find her recent, flippant appropriation of aspects of a culture she has no experience of appalling. I hope she realises this one day.

I still think she deserves to be treated like a human being rather than vilified. You can be critical without being cruel. You can dislike someone's work without attacking them as a person.

What bothers me most about the hatred directed towards Miley, the jokes at her expense etc, is that it is disgustingly obvious Robin Thicke, or any other male musician, will never, ever, face this kind of criticism.

As Sarah Ditum explains in her article:

"If you wanted a six-minute guide to the prejudices of the entertainment industry, this performance has it covered: white men run the show, black men play support, all the women get mostly naked, and black women get to hold up the bottom of the objectification pile."

Miley Cyrus' song "We Can't Stop" is extremely problematic,  but so is Thicke's song "Blurred Lines" which is essentially about rape. Thicke himself has said it is degrading to women, and seems to think because he is married with a child that makes it okay:

"Of course it is. What a pleasure it is to degrade a woman. I've never gotten to do that before. I've always respected women."

If that statement doesn't make you feel sick in your stomach, you should probably think seriously about your assumptions about women.

Music is part of our culture, and all aspects of the music industry influence our cultural beliefs and attitudes about gender. Men and women are treated differently. Women are objectified, sexualised and used by men for 'shock factor' and then the responsibility falls on women. Miley Cyrus is being treated horrifically for something that Robin Thicke was also responsible for (given the age difference I'd probably argue more so). 

If you google "Miley Cyrus"(in Australia) the first link is from WA Today, "Miley Cyrus' 'soggy bread bum' gets women talking", and the second is from the Brisbane Times, "Miley Cyrus in control of Operation Kill Hannah Montana." These are followed by various negative articles and blog posts. 

Google "Robin Thicke" and you get "What does Robin Thicke's wife think of the Miley Debacle?" (apparently she doesn't care), you get articles critical about Miley Cyrus and you get articles about Thicke and his family being critical of her. What you don't get is anyone questioning his actions as if he was somehow removed from the performance, as if he was not completely complicit in the nature of the performance.

This incident demonstrates to me the double standard for gender that people are so fond of saying doesn't exist. On Facebook a few friends pointed out the different reactions to Miley Cyrus and to Lady Gaga (quality aside) and a key thing raised is that Miley Cyrus isn't just female. She was Hannah Montana, she's conventionally 'hot' (skinny, white, long legs etc) and she is explicated linked to teenage girls. Of course we all know anything teenage girls do or like is worthy of ridicule. Whether it's The Last Song or gyrating against a teddy bear Miley Cyrus is consistently vilified by a significant portion of people.

Instead of discussion about the quality of performance or about the fact Robin Thicke remained fully clothed while Miley Cyrus stripped (which, rather than being controversial, is completely predictable) or the issues of cultural appropriation in Cyrus' work or rape culture in Thicke's all people can do is call Miley a slut and post photos of her butt on tumblr. 

Author Recommendation: Sarah Dessen

Sarah Dessen's latest book, it does a great job exploring complex family relationships

Sarah Dessen is an American author who writes contemporary young adult novels. She's published eleven novels. A full list and synopses of which can be found here.

Sarah Dessen's earlier books are emotionally powerful, deal with serious issues and are well written. However, in her later novels her writing style and character development, particularly with background and supporting characters, has developed into something truly special: stories I really love.

I started reading Sarah Dessen in high school, when I read Dreamland. It really grabbed me, especially at the age I was, I totally connected to the character, Caitlin, despite not going through her particular issues. I also saw the movie How to Deal, which is adapted from two of her novels, That Summer and Someone Like You (but I didn't read those until a few years ago). 
A year later I read This Lullaby, fell in love with Dessen's writing and tore through all of her books I could find. Since then I have reread her stories many times, and rushed out to get each new publication.

My favourite Sarah Dessen novel, it has so many great complex characters.

I love how she builds the world the stories take place in, each book is situated in the same fictional area (Lakeview and/or Colby Beach). Characters, places or ideas thread through more than one book. While each novel is a stand alone, there are little bits and pieces for readers to notice and enjoy. For example, Jason, though a minor character, has a personal story that is developed over a few separate novels.

The stories deal complexly with what it means to be in relationships. Not simply romantic relationships but all relationships in life: parents, siblings, friends. Dessen is particularly good at showing how important and difficult communication is.

The novels don't all end the same. While each involves some romance, they are not cut and dry 'boy meets girl', the protagonist doesn't always end up in a romantic relationship and the events of the novels do not always centre on conflict between the protagonist and her love interest. Her protagonsits are often very different from each other. What ties her novels together is her particular style of writing, and her keen exploration of what it means to grow and develop as a young woman and navigate life.

While Sarah Dessen is often categorised as a light read (something I think is more to do with her writing style, which is very easy to read) she tackles many serious issues, sometimes through her main character or through supporting characters. This way she looks at issues from different angles and in varying degrees. What I like about this is the realism. In real life people deal with stuff all the time, and not always in a tightly written plot/character arc. The issues don't go away, they can change and get worse or get better, and after it's over, if there is an after, life is different.

Dreamland centres around an abusive relationship between Caitlin (the protagonist) and her boyfriend.

She touches on such issues multiple times, demonstrating how different the same issue can be in each circumstance. Issues such as divorce, pregnancy, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, bullying and death as well as broader themes of relationships and communities. Dessen manages to explore these issues without offering simplified solutions or turning her characters into Victims. Without peddling a moral to the story, Sarah Dessen's novels are about learning and growing. Being able to trust both yourself and other people. Not being overwhelmed by your own, or other people's failures, but not necessarily accepting them.

Second favourite. Owen is my favourite Sarah Dessen boy.

Overall Dessen's novels are fun, sweet, heart breaking and heart warming. Her characters engaging and relatable, easy to fall in love with. Her writing encourages me to think about my relationships, to think about how I communicate with people, how I react to their failings, how I react to my own.