This is kind of like the Mapplethorpe Exhibit years ago. Someone wanted to ban it and that act made everyone curious and want to see it.

 

Without the nude trip down the street in Dallas most of us would not know of her or ever see her, and now her fame is spreading rapidly across the country. Did she do it to gain fame or to get her message to the masses?

This is kind of like the Mapplethorpe Exhibit years ago. Someone wanted to ban it and that act made everyone curious and want to see it.

 

Without the nude trip down the street in Dallas most of us would not know of her or ever see her, and now her fame is spreading rapidly across the country. Did she do it to gain fame or to get her message to the masses?

 

It doesn't matter, in my opinion... Because most people that would like the music of Erykah Badu already know about her and listen to her... She's very successful in the music industry.

 

She may get a few people interested enough to check her out, but for the most part they'll probably just push her back to the side and move on. Her music is not for everyone.

Listening to the words of the song really make me think it was more about some guy leaving then the ultimate video message. I suspect someone took the song and applied a very marketable concept to sensationalize the music, thereby drawing attention and increasing sales. And whomever that person was is the true genius. Not Badu.

Listening to the words of the song really make me think it was more about some guy leaving then the ultimate video message. I suspect someone took the song and applied a very marketable concept to sensationalize the music, thereby drawing attention and increasing sales. And whomever that person was is the true genius. Not Badu.

 

I believe I read earlier that this was her concept.. She didn't direct it, but it was her idea.

 

I may be wrong.

I think someone else already mentioned it, but if this was anyone else, I would write it off as a publicity stunt.

 

I have known of Badu for many years, never really listened to her music, but respected her for her beliefs and any social commentary she made. She has been in the business for nearly 15 years now, this is by no means an artist trying to get a few quick sales to get famous.

 

All the attention, be it positive or negative, is essentially proving the point she wanted to make. Obviously what makes this video great is that you can truly take quite a few different meanings out of it and no one would be right or wrong.

 

This does remind me of when Alanis Morissette went fully nude for her song Thank U off her second album. While not Dealey Plaza, it evokes much of the same "accept who you are" type mentality that can be seen in Badu's video.

This discussion has, for the most part, centered on the appropriateness of public nudity. I am clearly someone not in favor of it. (Doesn't mean I couldn't list off the names of 50 actresses I wouldn't horribly object to seeing nude. ) The biggest part of my objection, however, is where she choose to do this. Dealey Plaza is a very special place and has a lot of history and emotions attached to it. I see it as very disrepsectful to the memory of a fallen President.

 

 

Let's say one of the premier "artists" out there today (you pick the name - no doubt I will not have heard of them ) decides to make a video in a cemetery. Just happens to be a cemetery where some of your relatives are buried. The deep message of the song is something along the lines of burying the painful memories of your past or some other drivel. To help illustrate the point, the "artist" pees on some graves. Unfortunately, your parents' graves get peed on. OK or no?

 

Your comparison fails for multiple reasons.

 

1. I don't see Badu's actions as disrespectful to President Kennedy. She did not desecrate the scene, as the person in your scenario did. There is a huge difference between simply being present at the scene (which is relatively common) and doing something to alter it, whether permanently or temporarily.

 

2. I have no problem with where she chose to film the scene. From what I understand, Dealey Plaza is open to the public. Is it not? She did not trespass. She was in a public area, and rightfully so.

 

3. Badu was not "stripping" in the sense that formerkywrestler prefers (). Literally, she was stripping, but it was not in a sexy manner. She was stripping away layers of clothes in a symbolic manner.

 

4. You should watch the video. I have not watched it with the accompanying music, but the video itself is relatively powerful.

Watched the video. I've always liked her music. I'm with Coop on this one. Inappropriate which is her #1, #2, and #3 goal. Dealey Plaza was 1% message and 99% marketing.

 

Movie nudity is not the same. Its labeled as such so if you choose to not expose your children to it you get to to make that choice. You don't get to do that with kids walking in a public place. Puritanical? Probably so. Society's norms state that people don't walk nude in public.

 

With that said, quite an onion there.

Watched the video. I've always liked her music. I'm with Coop on this one. Inappropriate which is her #1, #2, and #3 goal. Dealey Plaza was 1% message and 99% marketing.

 

Movie nudity is not the same. Its labeled as such so if you choose to not expose your children to it you get to to make that choice. You don't get to do that with kids walking in a public place. Puritanical? Probably so. Society's norms state that people don't walk nude in public.

 

With that said, quite an onion there.

 

I wasn't referring to movies you go to the theatre and pay to see. The movie I cited, along with numerous documentaries, have been shown on the public airwaves (network TV, PBS).

I love strippers, does that make me weird........................

I can understand the objection by some. In thinking about it, I realize that I have used similar arguments when discussing some rap. I hate the songs that glorify violence (especially with guns), demean women, and that generally send forth a message that it's OK to be a thug, especially a dangerous thug, and that the goals in life are a lot of money for little work, big flashy cars and bling bling. Hate them, and find them morally reprehensible.

 

Can't help it, it's just the way I am.

 

I do think there's a difference, in that the messages couldn't be more different. But, I can still see where people find the video repugnant.

 

As mcpapa said, it's in the eye (or ears) of the beholder.

 

Being a fan of socially conscious entertainers, I admit leniency in judging their efforts in the name of art.

 

I've not actually seen the video, or heard the song. I should probably do that.

I wasn't referring to movies you go to the theatre and pay to see. The movie I cited, along with numerous documentaries, have been shown on the public airwaves (network TV, PBS).

 

That doesn't change my point. I can control what my kids watch on TV.

Your comparison fails for multiple reasons.

 

1. I don't see Badu's actions as disrespectful to President Kennedy. She did not desecrate the scene, as the person in your scenario did. There is a huge difference between simply being present at the scene (which is relatively common) and doing something to alter it, whether permanently or temporarily.

 

2. I have no problem with where she chose to film the scene. From what I understand, Dealey Plaza is open to the public. Is it not? She did not trespass. She was in a public area, and rightfully so.

 

3. Badu was not "stripping" in the sense that formerkywrestler prefers (). Literally, she was stripping, but it was not in a sexy manner. She was stripping away layers of clothes in a symbolic manner.

 

4. You should watch the video. I have not watched it with the accompanying music, but the video itself is relatively powerful.

 

And your argument is silly on all counts. The comparison more than valid.

 

1) If you don't see her actions as disrespectful to Kennedy, that's a shame. She stripped down nude in a place that is considered a national historic landmark and then ridiculously simulated his assassination.

 

Cemeteries are generally considered public places also. And urinating on a marble headstone hardly "desecrates" the scene, be it temporarily or otherwise.

 

2) Yes, Dealey Plaza is a public place. But there are still laws that govern and restrict your actions in public. You can't just do or say whatever you want. And she wasn't just "present" in a public place - she was taking some action. Remember the whole stripping down naked part? There are laws concerning that.

 

3) Be serious. That's silly beyond silly. Try that explanation in a courtroom when you get arrested for public indecency. Seriously, go walking down the nearest busy street you can find, slowing strip off your clothes, and hang your Johnson out there for the world to see. Then tell the judge you really were only stripping in a figurative and not literal sense. I'm sure he'll buy it.

 

4) Honestly, I don't care to see the whole video. I saw that part that she wanted me - and everyone else - to see. She didn't have to do it this way. She could have filmed it in a studio. She choose to do so in the manner she did in order to make it a PR stunt.

 

She may be the greatest artist out there today. I'm too stuck in my middle ages and listening to 80's music to know. I'll admit to that part. This has nothing to do with her music or my inability to enjoy her music. It was distasteful, classless, disrespectful, and completely needless. Period. And I'd apply the same standard to any of my 80's music artists who pulled the same selfish stunt.

Amazingly the video is almost identical to their friends so it wasn't even original.....

 

"Lesson learned"

Oh . . . I got it. You disagree my questioning her intelligence level, but you yourself are certain she's "extremely intelligent"? :lol: And you know this because Rockmom posted that blurb about her? :lol: Or from her extraordinarily insightful songs?

What RM posted of course. That's where I get all my info!

I'm asking because I'd honestly like to hear.

 

What do you believe are the adverse effects if your children were exposed to nudity?

I missed out on a bunch of stuff today and will try to address some tomorrow. But did this ever get answered?