We have all manner of music glorifying the degradation of women, and damnit, that music is catchy so I often find myself singing along as my very being is diminished. Singers like Robin Thicke know we want it. Rappers like Jay-Z use the word bitch like punctuation. Movies, more often than not, tell the stories of men as if men's stories are the only stories that matter. When women are involved, they are sidekicks, the romantic interests, the afterthoughts. Rarely do women get to be the center of attention. Rarely do our stories get to matter.
Roxane Gay highlights the pervasive nature of music and media that often devalues women, pointing to artists like Robin Thicke and Jay-Z, who contribute to a culture where women are objectified and their worth diminished. The catchiness of this music can mask its harmful messages, leading listeners to unintentionally support this degradation. This reflects a broader societal issue where women's narratives are often sidelined and trivialized.
Moreover, Gay critiques the film industry for predominantly showcasing men's stories, relegating women to secondary roles as sidekicks or love interests. This lack of representation underscores a significant gap in the storytelling landscape, where women's experiences are not given the attention they deserve. Gay calls for a shift in focus, advocating for narratives that celebrate women's lives and acknowledge their complexity and significance.
