Sigh. Okay, so there are about a million things that I would rather be writing about right now than Britney Spears. Trust me. So I apologize to those of you who don’t want to hear it, and to those of you who have already heard about it 20 times already. But I feel that, unfortunate and sad though it may be, the treatment of Spears has indeed become a feminist issue. And I feel that in order to be responsible, I have no choice but to blog on it. And yes, I hate it, too.
There is absolutely no doubting that the performance is atrocious. Every single other dancer on that stage shows her up, she doesn’t seem to be trying, she looks confused and is clearly lip-syncing (very poorly). Yes. Got it.
But she’s not fat. When I came across this post by fellow-ette this morning stating the exact same thing (prior to her update) I saw the photo of Britney and said “well, no. Of course she’s not fat. Who the hell would say that she’s fat?”
Everybody, apparently. Hell, just do a Google search yourself. You’ll see. Look at the YouTube comments. You’ll see. Watch some news coverage on her performance, if you can stand it. You’ll see.
The fact of the matter is, just because you are five pounds heavier than you were back when your body was taut to an almost freakish extent– and before you had two kids– does not make you fat. And as sad as it may be, there are still countless girls and women out there who would kill to be even this thin. So fucking hell, I’m pissed off. Is this what we’ve come to? Will women ever be fucking thin enough for everyone without being dead?
As Jessica also points out, “When was the last frigging time a male musician’s beer belly made news?” Good question. I can’t remember it. The fact is, even if she was fat, it would not be okay to talk about it like this. It will still be bullshit. But Britney still isn’t fat.
I’m also extremely concerned to see that many people out there still think that it’s okay to laugh at Spears. Luckily, I haven’t seen any feminists garnering amusement from this, but they seem to be the exception. Britney Spears clearly coming apart at the seams, most likely struggling from either a serious psychological problem or addiction, not to mention recently going through a divorce with two kids in front of the media while being in and out of rehab, is not funny. So for those of you who still think that it is, it’s not. You can hate her music all you like, and hate everything that her old image stood for. I sure as hell do. But it’s not okay to laugh. It’s not okay to call her fat– especially when she isn’t. And I shouldn’t have to be writing this fucking post about how degrading Britney Spears is just a socially acceptable way to degrade all women.
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I didn’t see the show, and I’ve only seen a bit of video clip. I don’t understand the fat comments I’ve been hearing either. She doesn’t look fat to me. She does look somewhat distracted, possibly bored.
All I really want to know is why she’s performing in her bra and panties.
I’m guessing the same reasons that Fergie and the Pussy Cat Dolls and just about every other female group/singer does? Because society expects women to only appear on television if there’s going to be a lot of skin shown? I think that’s a whole different problem in itself that definitely needs to (and has been) addressed, but I’m not sure how relevant it is to this particular situation.
Sorry. I’m not trying to be testy. But for some reason this whole situation has really pissed me off and upset me.
I couldn’t agree more! I posted about this very issue last night after reading that Brit was “embarrassingly out of shape.” Her realistic shape and curves look pretty good, imo. As a mother of a 2-year old myself, I’m here to say that I’ll bet most moms of toddlers would kill to look like she does right now. As for why she is wearing a bra and panties on stage – well, golly-gee, maybe she thinks she looks ok – because she does!! Cut Britney a break, people & look in the mirror before you judge.
Hrm, I think I should have included a snark tag. I wasn’t really wondering why she’s showing a lot of skin, but why she literally looks like a lingerie ad instead of a musical performer.
I didn’t intend the remark to be a “my god, what is she wearing”, but rather some sort of sadness that even dressed according to patriarchial nines, she’s still getting destroyed.
Cara, I think you are right-on with this being a feminist issue. I think topics like this actually need more feminists to start a conversation- it’s what grabs people’s attention.
bravo, cara! you nailed it on the head…
let’s let the criticts out there squeeze a seven pound baby out of their tiniest opening, and see if it doesn’t change how they look forever…
brittney looks great…not that it should matter HOW she looks…love her or hate her she has been through a lot, and getting back into any kind of shape after not one, but TWO kids is a triumph in itself.
and even if she does look distracted…you have to at least acknowledge the challenge it must be to get back into things…
people will laugh at anything at anyone’s expense…i swear.
thanx for another wonderfully thought out post!
Way to go, Cara! You raise some very troubling issues re how Spears is discussed in the media.
Yep, if by “fat” they mean about 130 lbs, I guess America’s obesity problem is worse than any of us ever imagined.
I can’t see whatever video you posted, but in the photo on Fellowette’s blog, she actually, for once, looks good. I mean, her body. I can’t really see her face, so I don’t see the “dead eyes” being referred to.
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