Nekkid singing chicks

daver · October 2007

Well, not really. But I wonder. I read this:
http://www.azcentral.com/ent/celeb/articles/1001beyonce1001.html
The upshot is that Beyonce cancelled in Malaysia, and Gwen Stefani had to put herself out to play there. Why? The dress code. They require "female performers to cover up from the top of their chests to their knees, including their shoulders".

Ack, the horror. From Stefani's camp: Gwen Stefani made what she called "a major sacrifice" in August by wearing clothes that revealed little skin...

Beyonce just gave up.

My question: Is it really "a major sacrifice" for these performers to wear modest clothes? And if so, what does this say about them? Nothing? Something? And what does it say about the state of our popular music in America? Have we completely given up on real musical ability, has that taken a backseat to making sure you can see some skin? Bear in mind that this doesn't seem to be some radical religious dress code, I mean this is the same basics as what I learned for going to Catholic Church as a child, I believe the Vatican still holds _higher_ standards for a visit.

Not making an indictment here, just pondering and thinking out loud a little bit, still formulating an opinion. But definitely questioning.

alafairnadia · October 2007

honestly ... I have no intention of visiting any country that puts restrictions on how I dress or move in public (well, restrictions beyond what I currently live with in my country). so that ixnaes most of the middle east, north africa and southern asia. i'm sure I'm missing out on a lot of cool shit, but fuck that. having already had a vaguely scrappy response to some folks in istanbul who wanted me to cover my hair before entering a mosque (I declined), I have a feeling I'd get tossed in the clink if I set foot in a myriad of other places.

daver · October 2007

And that is your prerogative. And mind you, we aren't talking head scarves and burkas here, we are talking about no naked skin from shoulder to knee, same as what the Catholic Church requests for mass here in America. Not that they actually reinforce it. And not that I am accusing anyone of going to Catholic Church.

Is it really "a major sacrifice" to eschew a bare midriff and bare shoulders? For some, I suppose it is. I remember eschewing societal norms, no bullshit corporate job for me, I will have metal sticking out of face, and fuck all them all. Is this similar? Is this a statement, my belly will be bare for all to see, or I am staying home? I don't know. I do know that I gave up to some degree and started wearing half decent clothes to have a half decent job at some point along the way. Maybe I should reconsider myself. Not that I need a bare midriff, that probably should be illegal in any country for me, but am I making "a major sacrifice" right now to who I am, or want to be?

I dunno. I just hear "major sacrifice" and I think of our soldiers dying in Iraq, not having to skip the tube top. Apples and oranges, I suppose.

alafairnadia · October 2007

I obviously don't speak for either performer - no clue what caused them to make their decisions.

in any case, my view is one that dislikes gender-based restrictions. it's the old slippery slope. if I'm in a country where showing cleavage could get me into trouble, what else could get me into trouble just because I'm a woman? it makes me super paranoid. and I'd consider it a major sacrifice to have to function in that country. speaking of the military - remember the first gulf war and the women who were stationed in saudi arabia and the shit they went through? that was fucking horrible - and all because we were protecting oil for a bunch of terrorists.

and no, I don't think that one can equate major sacrifice to major sacrifice talking about dance moves and clothing changes vs. death and appendage loss during war. but, to a degree, the issues are similar. these petty dictators and our shitty government putting up with petty dictators has put our military in that position. it's horrible for the troops and I want them to come home right now - wish they'd never been sent there. and I never want to see our government defend another country for no good reason again - especially a country that treats women like dogshit. we get enough of that here.

sweet tea · October 2007

But they aren't in a Catholic church. This seems less like "respect at God's house" than "Do what we say, all the time. Feel lucky." Of course, "sacrifice" is a silly way to describe wearing a sweater, but I can see why they were reluctant to adjust their very well known respective looks for the sake of a subjugating rule.

lilbangladesh · October 2007

I personally don't think it's a major sacrifice to be respectful to the mores of another culture. So in some cultures, women cover their hair. It's not what I normally do, but it doesn't strike me as any big deal to put on a head scarf.

I live in Crown Heights and generally dress how I like, but when I went over to a rabbi's house last night for Sukkot, I made sure that my outfit covered my elbows and knees. It was a rather informal event, so I doubt that had I not done this that anyone would have said anything, but it just seemed to be the respectful thing to do. When in Rome and all that...

The line is drawn where the dress code would seriously get in the way of what you are attempting to do. If these artists were being required to wear a burka, then of course, refusing to perform would be the right course of action because it's impossible to do ANYTHING in a burka. I fail to see how not being able to wear a belly baring shirt would require anything but minor adjustments to the act. They also didn't mention how tight an outfit could be. Traditional Malaysian dress is hardly shapeless. Beyonce could wear a dress complying with these regs and still show off her beyootiful curves. When I was engaged to a Muslim, he didn't like it if I wore anything skimpy, but he didn't mind if I wore a long dress that was tight and form-fitting. (And I didn't find this too restrictive because it matched my own fashion sense: I like to show my curves, but not necessarily a lot of skin. Less is more!)

Not all dress codes are oppressive to women or meant to be such. Women can be offended by too much skin as much as a man. I don't see any problem with being respectful to local mores so long as it doesn't inhibit me from what I want to do.

Alfy, men have dress codes as well. Men visiting a synagogue are requested to wear a kippah on their heads. Is that oppressive, too?

armchair_warrior · October 2007

damn you and your false advert!!! there is noooooooooooooo nekkid chicks here

. I demand nekkid chick pics

.

Nekkid singing chicks

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