Miley Cyrus and the Racist Teddy Bear in the Room

People are up in arms about the racial implication of Miley Cyrus' VMA performance, because of the objectification and "abuse" of the black women who she employed as "props" for her performance.

I found several aspects of the VMAs extremely perturbing. The adopted "Brooklyn Accent", appropriating what they thought was the "gangster" culture of Brooklyn; the irony of the award show being the least black in history [see winner of best hip-hop video], all the while being situated in arguably one of the blackest cities in the United States; and finally, the general lack of organization and planning displayed throughout the award show. It was overall boring, anti-climatic, and I wish I hadn't sacrificed The Newsroom.

Tasteless. if Miley Cyrus' performance could be summed up in one word, it would be "Tasteless". Would I call it "Racist"? Not so much.

Racism : A belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race. [Merriam-Webster, 2013]

So now that we have defined the term, we can refrain from slinging it around to describe every time a white person does something that leaves us disgruntled.

On Cyrus: 

I honestly think that Cyrus merely has a misguided, yet deep admiration for what she perceives as "Black Culture"
The barrage of backlash Cyrus is merely a culmination of out of context, [perhaps erroneous] insinuations being jumbled together to form logic that is barely coherent. And it pisses me off. Her explicitly stating that she wanted her album to have a "black" sound is being used as a precursor to the harm she inflicted upon black women at the awards [mind you, while she did most of the "twerking", shaming and embarrassing of  herself, family and existence]

People are disgruntled because of the endless slut-shaming that has gone on in the wake of her performance, but if we are to speak out against that, perhaps we should take a step back and stop gratifying these overly offended black women that continuously grasp for straws at reasons to once again, play the worn and tattered racial card in instances like these.

Yes, there is a racial implication. Little black girls, after watching Cyrus perform, will no doubt be confused about the image being portrayed of girls like them. Should they oblige and conform to this image? Is this what it means to be a black woman? Issues like these should be brought to Cyrus. The lack of taste displayed during the performance, that should be an issue taken up with Cyrus.

Blacks never like to hear about instances in which they are perpetrators of the same crimes, so I'm sleep. Instances where the likes of Rhianna addressed the implication of her own actions by explicitly saying that, should she venture on a 10 - day excavation tour of the earth's crust, she would still be unable to find any fucks to give about the implication of her actions on youth, all under the premise of her being a "rock star"... but I'm sleep though.

Point of the Story: We should ask ourselves why this is what Miley perceives as "Black Culture", and after we've thought it out, we should then point our fingers at Diplo.

Stop tossing around the word racism. Find another, more appropriate word. The rest of us are honestly becoming sickened. It's become a cliche.


EFB

Calling a Spade a Spade... or a Whore.

Disclaimer: I am here to judge no one.

Ever called a promiscuous person a "Whore"? What was their reaction?

Why is it everytime a free-spirited, admittedly sexually adventurous person gets called out for her actions it's followed by a huff, probably some physical altercation, ending with their storming distressedly through the door, of course to the sound of the advice giver's vociferous "Bitch! Don't Slam my shit!"

Secondly,why is it socially acceptable for them to live in their denial?
I'm here to judge no one. I'm all for sexual free-spiritedness, when practiced safely and within reason. Yet and still, who decides the boundaries of said Reason? That, my friends, is solely up to you and your conscience.

We're all adults here. The activities and dealings of your Vagina is no business of mine. And so I'm the last person you'll find probing and prodding to hear about your sexual antics. If as a friend you feel so compelled to share this with me, I'm happy to share your successful conquests, and shudder with you as you recount the horrific sexcapades to which every girl in her mid-twenties must fall victim.

However, when a problem arises and I then become directly AFFECTED by the activities of aforementioned Vaj, or when I take it upon myself as a friend to caution you at a time I see the need, don't thrash and writhe in disbelief. I am completely unaffected by the reddening of your cheek and the fury withinn your eyes. This will not prevent me from telling you about your life.

In my 24 years on earth, I've seen Two major categories underwhich Promiscuity falls:

1. Promiscuity by Choice
This is described by the person who consciously has a nonchalant attitude towards sex, and sees it as a mere bodily function. This person may have varying reasons; be it some intrigue or allure they find in their conquest, or simply opting to call on the closest person that can be contacted simply to relieve themselves of their sexual frustration.
Fair Enough.

2. Promiscuity by Stupidity [Accidental Whores, if you will]
This is the hopeless romantic that seeks a solid relationship, but instead of laying a firm foundation upon which the relationship would stand, falls victim to ploys of deciet by allowing any and all Joes to explore the realms of her nethers. Before she knows it, her number is far into the double digits, and her lack of discretion leaves her looking like a promiscuous bimbo with no prospect of being taken seriously.
My advice to this girl; Catch yourself in the cycle. I know of too many women who follow the exact routine time and time again, without stopping, even after the 6th or 7th guy, to say "Wait. Why is this happening, again?"

Be that as it may, the question still stands; Why the fuck do you people take such deep offense to being called exactly what your actions depict?
[Jessa from HBO's GIRLS, and Samantha from HBO's SATC come to mind]

Perhaps it's the label. Yes! We recoil at even the wiff of the insinuation; Slut! Whore! It's a harsh cross to bear, and perhaps it could have been phrased more tactfully and understated. But at the end of the day, when we're lamenting on our sexual exploits with the casual roll of an eye and giggles of glee, we must call a spade just that. A spade, and move on with our lives. Harsh cross to bear, but the choice was yours to bear it.

This wasn't meant to be an oratory crucifiction of any sort. Whether you've had 12 partners or 1200, the point is that no label given to you, based on your sexual activity or otherwise, should affect you unless it's something you agree with.
No Hard Feelings?

Warmest,
EFB.

P.S. Discretion; Exercise it.