OPINION
SEPTEMBER 6, 2013
“Blurred Lines” clearly reflects skewed social norms
BY MICHAEL
CASWELL
Stah^Writcr
"Blurred Lines," Robin Thicke's chart
topping hit of the summer, is not just
maidng people want to dance.
Thicke's questionable video and even
more questionable
lyrics have many calling
the song chauvinistic,
misogynistic and
objectifying. Some have
even described his lyrics
as "rapey."
"There is no question
that the video is
objectifying to women,
but does that really
surprise people, coming
from a pop song?" said
Kami Rowan, director of
guitar studies.
Rowan believes that this issue is not
something new, and it is not a music issue
at all.
"Hip-hop and pop music has been
objectifying women for years," Rowan
said. "It's strange people want to only
focus on this one song."
A lot of people have brought up the fact
that a woman directed the "Blurred Lines"
video, and director Diane Martel has stood
behind her product.
"I think the girls were overpowering
the men in the video," Martel said in an
interview with The Huffington Post.
Martel feels there is nothing wrong with
the video because she is a product of the
pop culture environment, just as Robin
"Pop culture and pop music is solely entertainment. There is
no art involved. They are looking to sell, and sex sells."
Kami Rowan, director of guitar studies
Thicke is. They believe what they are doing
is okay because they have been told it is.
And this has been going on for years.
"Pop culture and pop music is solely
entertainment," said Rowan. "There is no
art involved. They are looking to sell, and
sex sells."
One of my biggest hang-ups on this
issue is freedom of expression and speech.
I'm not saying the song is right or okay, but
do we redly want to prevent people from
expressing themselves? And shouldn't
individuals decide for themselves how to
perceive culture?
There are people who can listen and
watch Thicke's song and clearly see that
there is something wrong there. But they
understand that it's not a work of art; it's
just some catchy pop song that has no true
meaning.
However, some people cannot
distinguish the difference. Here is where
we run into problems. We should not be
pointing fingers at women or men; we
should be educating men and women so
they can better understand the negative
effects these lyrics and images can have on
people.
This is not a feminist issue or a masculine
issue. It's a societal issue.
Pop culture has given people the illusion
that there is a certain way that you should
dress, talk and act if you are a man or
woman. The masses believe it because it
has become widely accepted by both men
and women.
"Pop culture is made for the masses,"
said Music Department Chair Tim
Lindeman. "It's an industry, (and) that's
how it's always been."
People who recognize these differences
need to show people that just because
something is on TV does not mean it's okay.
We have to come together has a society and
teach people that there is not a normal, and
you can dress, act and talk however you
want, even if pop culture disagrees.
So next time you're listening to the
radio and "Blurred Lines" comes on, just
remember: the fact that it's on the radio
does not mean it is relevant. It should have
no effect on how you live your life.
Open letter le first-years: navigate by heart
BY GRACE
ADELE
BOYLE
GumWmm
To me, Guilford is more than a physical
place. It is a state of mind. When I was a
student, this state of mind took many
different shapes depending on the season,
the semester or the
people I was surrounding
myself with.
I've noticed simple
things have the greatest
effect on me. When I
am inside all day, I am
not happy. When I don't
drink enough water
or get enough sleep, I
am not as productive.
When I am isolated from
social interactions, I get
depressed. When I stop
exercising, I feel restless and irritated.
It took me years of paying attention to
the little things to piece together the bigger
picture, and my time at Guilford helped
shape all these insights and decisions.
Sitting in a cafe writing poetry may
sound interesting and deep and terribly
romantic, or it might also make you feel
bored and restless. That doesn't mean you
aren't romantic or deep or interesting; it
just means that isn't your thing. Find your
thing, then find the people who encourage
and support you to do diat thing and then
go for it with all you have.
My advice to you this semester is to
pay attention to what makes you the
most happy. Guilford is the best place to
cultivate this kind of awareness. Tm not
going to urge you to join a new club, or
run for student council or study abroad,
because I don't know if that will actually
make you happy.
But those things will open you up to new
experiences where you can learn about
yourself. Following your curiosity, and
letting it show you the bits and pieces of
life that make you happy and excited, is a
good thing.
Navigate by heart, and see where you
end up. Guilford is a rare place that allows
you to do this. It encourages you to grow
and become You without telling you what
that means or what it should look like.
You also have direct access to tremendous
resources through Guilford, and I am going
to encourage you to take advantage of that.
This semester, take some risks. I promise
you won't get lost. You're at Guilford! Love
every second of it.
Grace graduated from Guilford in 2007. She
is a freelance writer and photographer and also
works in radio.
First-years enjoy the beauty of campus and get to know each other while relaxing on the quad.
We keep you
informed,
you carve
the future
As we move into our 100th volume
year at The Guilfordian, it is important
not just to look back at the past, but to
look at the future as well. This school
year will be a defining one, and we plan
to keep you informed.
One of the most striking stories we
will continuously cover this year is the
search for a new president. President
Kent Chabotar is leaving the college
after 12 years of service. Even as you're
reading this, the Presidential Search
Committee seeks his replacement.
Who they choose for the position will
greatly affect Guilford's future. We have
assigned our most experienced writer to
tackle this story in its entirety.
With a new year also comes a
new judicial system, complete with
a controversial points system. Will
we see a spike in judicial charges, -or
will students be more aware of the
consequences of their actions? Only time
will tell, and The Guilfordian will be
ready to provide a forum for discussion.
No matter your opinion, the new
fountain caused a backlash last semester
and in response to the Bryan Jr. Plaza's
construction, the Student Advisory
Committee was born to seek more
community input in the donation
process. Its proponents hope to ensure
that donor funds are used where they
are most needed.
Meanwhile, Community Senate is also
looking to make a positive change by
creating a scholarship for undocumented
students.
At this juncture, student influence is
one of the most important aspects of this
new school year. For this reason it is vital
that all remain well-informed on every
new issue that develops at the school
— lest you forfeit your opportunity to
wield that influence and perhaps not
even realize a change took place until it
is too late.
The Guilfordian plans to be there
every step of the way to bring you all
the latest updates, just as it has for the
past 99 volumes.
Reflecting Guilford College's core Quaker
VALUES, THE TOPICS AND CONTENT OF StAFF EDITORIALS
ARE CHOSEN THROUGH CONSENSUS OF ALL 16 EDITORS
AND ONE FACULTY ADVISER OF ThE GuILFORDIAN’s
Editorial Board.