There seems to be a fairly uncritical acceptance of the assertions in the (astonishingly long) Wikipedia article about Beyoncé's single "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)", which are epitomised by the statement that the song is "empowering". Aside from the fact that history will not judge the use of that word kindly, if someone could outline just one example of how that song could be regarded as "empowering" I'd be happy to hear it. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a catchy song and Beyoncé and her sexy acolytes look great in the video; but how is stamping around in a leotard insisting that a man gives you a ring to prove he loves you (with the glaring implication that what all women want is to get married) in any way "empowering" for women?
If you were to ask the women in Afghan Hands whether this is "empowering" I get the feeling they would laugh in astonishment.
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3 comments:
Are you sure it isn't a nod to the no sex before marriage brigade?
I've not heard the song but ever since I heard about the "silver ring thing" (or whatever it is called) I tend to associate wedding rings this more with viginial teenage christians than with marriage.
But then I often forget to wear my wedding ring anyway.
If you watch the video it leaves you in no doubt that this song is not about no sex before marriage.... It's about a woman down the club who's just left her man because he didn't pay her enough attention. The chorus: "If you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it". Pretty unambiguous stuff.
I hope "it" means the hand and not the woman.
As for Beyonce, give me Eartha Kitt any day.
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