I recently came across the latest Beyonce video, "Video Phone," and needless to say, I've become increasingly disheartened by the downward spiral of popular music. The video was laced with all types of gyration, provocation, and sexually suggestive lyrics and movements. Which, of course, occurred in the first few seconds of the video. Surprisingly, one mom and former avid Beyonce fan, let MTV and Beyonce know exactly how she felt about the video. Her comment was posted on the forum below the video and she openly spoke of her disgust with the music video. Furthermore, she challenged Beyonce to consider the message that her video would send to her own children one day. But above all, this mom absolutely won my heart when she made a bold statement, which was something to the effect of, "Beyonce, you have a beautiful voice and you don't need to use your body to sell records. I know sex sells but don't sell out. "
I never quite made it through the entire music video because I couldn't help but think that 20 years ago, this video would have been X- rated, and never would have made it to mainstream television. They may have shown it on a pay-per-view music television channel, like The Box. You all remember The Box, that cable station where you could order any video, especially those with various sexual innuendos and risque lyrics not shown on VH1 or MTV. Like many curious children, my siblings and I would try to catch the video previews to see if they would at least let some PG-13 footage slip through the cracks. But much to our dismay, the previews were always subtle and clean. Today, the attire for popular music has become the unnervingly skintight- spandex sequined leotard, 5 inch stilettos, plunging necklines, and multiple cut-outs. Female artists like Beyonce, who started out in the business with more tame images, often leaning towards cute and tasteful, have long left the role model road and joined the likes of their pop music predecessors. In the realm of sex appeal and selling records, less is more, sex sells and you've got to put it out to get paid. Its an unarguable fact that Beyonce is one of the hardest working, innovative, corporately endorsed female musicians of this decade. Celebrities like Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, and Shakira each have at least one song or music video that is reminiscent of the songstress, proving that she is indeed often imitated but never duplicated.
However, when the tween crowd progressively wears less clothing, the pregnancy rate soar higher, television shows, advertisement billboards, and commercials all say sex sells so get sexy, its difficult to differentiate whether art imitates life or life imitates art. In the next 20 years all curse words will most likely be permitted on basic cable television, more unfiltered and unadulterated sex scenes and nudity will seep into mainstream media, and a 13 year old can watch an R-rated movie with nothing short of a high school identification card. Its a scary thought, but this is where we're heading towards, and its up to us to stand up for classic morals and ethics before raising socially conscious and responsible children become almost impossible.
October 31st marks the day known as All Hallows Eve or Halloween, where children go door-knocking in innovative costumes, dental visits become more frequent due to excessive candy consumption, and fresh eggs and toilet paper litter the streets of cities all across the United States. However, there is a little more to worry about than creepy costumes, mischievous children, and cavities.
Vampires, Superstition or Truth: With today's books, movies, and television shows romanticizing blood-sucking, pale faces, and crucifixes, its not surprising that vampires are slowly incorporating themselves into pop culture.
It is believed that vampires are as old as man himself and have existed alongside werewolves, demons, and extraterrestrials in the superstitious mythologies of all cultures worldwide. In 1897, Bram Stoker's novel Dracula officially introduced the fictional and mythological creatures to print mediums. After a vampire victim's escape in 1985, people have become very aware of the fact that vampires really do exist, and Don Henry is living proof.
Suicide Forest, Superstition or Truth: Following San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, Aokigahara is the second most popular suicide site in the world. Aokigahara, also known as the Sea of trees, is a forest found at the base of Mount Fuji in Japan. It is littered with an average of 30 dead bodies per year, with over 70 bodies in the late 1990's to present. Since the 1950's over 500 people have lost their lives in the forest. After two lovers in Seicho Matsumoto's novel, Kuroi Jukai, killed themselves in the forest, Aokigahara increased in its popularity for suicides. Japanese officials have placed signs in the forest to discourage further suicide attempts. Aokigahara is now a popular site for thrill seekers and scavengers.
Gang Initiations, Superstition or Truth: Every year, for the past 20 years, Halloween has had a special significance among the Black and Hispanic gang circuit nationwide, that plagues major metropolitan areas with fear. As early as the late 1980's gangs have spread word that initiation begins the week of Halloween, reaching its climax on Halloween day, when several brutal killings are to occur. These murders target women, and prompt city departments, fire departments and law officials to be on guard on Halloween night. The general public has also fed into this scare by sending mass texts and emails warning their family and friends to be extremely cautious.
So I had previously decided that I would stop writing fashion because I felt like even though I can do it, its not mentally stimulating enough for me. However, I decided to not begrudge those who thoroughly enjoy writing and reporting on fashion. Then I said I wanted to give up fashion styling because I was no longer visually stimulated enough to "create" art. But eventually I returned back to both writing and styling, but as a hobbyist. I realized a career in the world of fashion was too much headache for me, I'd rather have the option to do it when I want, how I want, and if I want. Who wouldn't?
But today I was reminded, yet again, why I do not style for a living. The Rachel Zoe Project. Here's a brief synopsis of the show: stress, shoes, fashion, styling, bananas, stress, couture, dying, divo/diva hate-love, cursing, stress, California, and more stress.
I've watched some pretty mindless stuff before--and occasionally I still do--but this I just can't get into. Sorry Rachel...rock on with the styling, but count me out on the viewing.
My Portfolio: http://www.wix.com/olaitanf/olaitanf......................
"If the world were to end today I would look back and think: What did I do with my time? Did I make an imprint in the mind of some unknowing person? Did I stimulate thought? Did I make the decision to love someone and be a giver? Did I care for all I've been privileged to get and what I'm completely undeserving of? I would hope my answers were yes...and that I lived a 'full' life."
I am Olaitan. And I am a writer :-)
-signed a citizen for the advancement of dialogue between strangers
