Mack
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Post by Mack on Apr 23, 2014 17:16:56 GMT -5
I haven't even watched the video and I have no interest in doing so. Sad.
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dbhmr
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Post by dbhmr on Apr 23, 2014 17:24:34 GMT -5
I do believe "appropriation" has met its match. Quite literally. Most of the racism allegations stem from this idea that she is trying to represent Japanese culture in this video. The problem, however, is that it is those who are doing the criticizing that are making the claim that the video is Avril's representation of Japanese culture. As such, it is them who are essentializing said cultural artifacts as a representation of Japan. Avril is simply havin' fun, and 'never growing up'. Criticize her for that, sure, but don't make this a racial equity and cultural appropriation issue. That sounds like quite the stretch. I don't think people are claiming that what is depicted in Avril's video is representative of everyday life in Japan (lol), but rather she is utilizing people and imagery from Japanese cultures/subcultures as props for her video, which is obviously found to be problematic. |
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MiniMusic
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Post by MiniMusic on Apr 23, 2014 17:47:31 GMT -5
The only thing that was irky about the whole Japanese culture thing in this video was the awkward sushi moment... but yeah this video is a mess. The song is definitely something that sounds very guilty pleasure-like... I would probably jam to it while drunk.
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reidster
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Post by reidster on Apr 23, 2014 18:06:33 GMT -5
Quite literally. Most of the racism allegations stem from this idea that she is trying to represent Japanese culture in this video. The problem, however, is that it is those who are doing the criticizing that are making the claim that the video is Avril's representation of Japanese culture. As such, it is them who are essentializing said cultural artifacts as a representation of Japan. Avril is simply havin' fun, and 'never growing up'. Criticize her for that, sure, but don't make this a racial equity and cultural appropriation issue. That sounds like quite the stretch. I don't think people are claiming that what is depicted in Avril's video is representative of everyday life in Japan (lol), but rather she is utilizing people and imagery from Japanese cultures/subcultures as props for her video, which is obviously found to be problematic. We can agree to disagree. People are making assumptions about Avril and the video, superimposing them onto Avril, and then attacking those issues, and by (faulty) association, Avril. The current trend in culture research (well, cultural education, anyway) is that cultural appropriation is a blanket term that does not take into consideration independent factors. A great deal of research now focuses on (like I've mentioned previously) the essentialization aspect of culture. From what I've been reading, anyway, most people are saying the video is racist because of the use of Japanese artifacts and people (or, as you call them here, 'props'). The problem here is that she is not saying that these 'props" or artifacts, are supposed to be representative of anything. Those that are claiming the video is racist are the ones saying that she is trying to purport an image of Japanese cultural traditions by using these stereotypical artifacts. Is it such a stretch to believe she is paying homage to her fans, who tend to enjoy Hello Kitty, vibrant colours, and other aspects featured in the video? The idea that many of her fans happen to be concentrated in Japan is merely a coincidence, or perhaps, a sign of how successful she is in Japan. |
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ClevelandRox
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Post by ClevelandRox on Apr 23, 2014 18:12:57 GMT -5
If she put out a good video, nobody would have cared. Rock N Roll :'( |
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dbhmr
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Post by dbhmr on Apr 23, 2014 18:16:04 GMT -5
That sounds like quite the stretch. I don't think people are claiming that what is depicted in Avril's video is representative of everyday life in Japan (lol), but rather she is utilizing people and imagery from Japanese cultures/subcultures as props for her video, which is obviously found to be problematic. We can agree to disagree. People are making assumptions about Avril and the video, superimposing them onto Avril, and then attacking those issues, and by (faulty) association, Avril. The current trend in culture research (well, cultural education, anyway) is that cultural appropriation is a blanket term that does not take into consideration independent factors. A great deal of research now focuses on (like I've mentioned previously) the essentialization aspect of culture. From what I've been reading, anyway, most people are saying the video is racist because of the use of Japanese artifacts and people (or, as you call them here, 'props'). The problem here is that she is not saying that these 'props" or artifacts, are supposed to be representative of anything. Those that are claiming the video is racist are the ones saying that she is trying to purport an image of Japanese cultural traditions by using these stereotypical artifacts. Is it such a stretch to believe she is paying homage to her fans, who tend to enjoy Hello Kitty, vibrant colours, and other aspects featured in the video? The idea that many of her fans happen to be concentrated in Japan is merely a coincidence, or perhaps, a sign of how successful she is in Japan. I understand that, I do, and I think Avril's biggest problem here is that the video is terrible, not racist. But I don't see how employing four Japanese women to stand expressionless behind her and dance like a robotic toddler is paying homage to her fans who happen to be Japanese--or, if it is an homage, I just don't think it's a very good one. |
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Post by Rose "Payola" Nylund on Apr 23, 2014 18:17:00 GMT -5
The video offended me because it reminded me a lot of someone I used to live with who became obsessed with Korean and Japanese culture and started hanging out exclusively with Asian people as if they were trophies. He even spoke to Korean people in English with a Korean accent... #smh
I think it's at least as worthy of discussion, if not more, than the Dark Horse video was.
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Post by Love Plastic Love on Apr 23, 2014 18:20:55 GMT -5
There are certain artists out there that I have a connection to for various reasons. Usually, they put out cds that basically define a few years of my life and that I still like even years later. Avril is that for me through her first 2 cds and, to a lesser extent, third cd. Sometimes I keep up with artists like that and have good will toward them and new music from them even if more years pass between cds and the material isn't quite as inspired. Sometimes though you just realize that the artist will forever be a nostalgic one and give up on them ever being relevant to you in present times. Essentially, you break up with that artist. I think I officially just broke up with Avril after watching that video. I just can't. It has been fun though.
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2014 18:55:48 GMT -5
I broke up with Avril YEARS ago. Loved her during her first two albums and I feel like she's been a joke since (although I did like a few songs on TBDT and Let Me Go).
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2014 19:07:08 GMT -5
I actually think she was just trying to insert herself into the culture of (arguably) her biggest fanbase, which is Japan. I saw it as more of a venture in exoticism than appropriation. I didn't see anything in that video that was that bad, although I did raise an eyebrow at the sushi part.
Not saying it's not problematic, but rather that it's no worse than Gwen.
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BDGeek
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Post by BDGeek on Apr 23, 2014 20:19:24 GMT -5
There are certain artists out there that I have a connection to for various reasons. Usually, they put out cds that basically define a few years of my life and that I still like even years later. Avril is that for me through her first 2 cds and, to a lesser extent, third cd. Sometimes I keep up with artists like that and have good will toward them and new music from them even if more years pass between cds and the material isn't quite as inspired. Sometimes though you just realize that the artist will forever be a nostalgic one and give up on them ever being relevant to you in present times. Essentially, you break up with that artist. I think I officially just broke up with Avril after watching that video. I just can't. It has been fun though. Basically where I'm at. I just don't get how Avril's first album was so vastly superior to everything she's released since. Whenever I whip out Let Go, it still sounds fresh to me. And I don't think that's just nostalgia talking - there are many nostalgic albums that lack the same staying power, such as Green Day's American Idiot or Hilary Duff's self-titled effort. For me, Let Go still ranks above my Top 10 favorite albums. She's had a couple gems since then. "Girlfriend" is a jam, and I'm a big fan of "Wish You Were Here" and "Give You What You Like." But her last few albums all lack the magic of her first. Which is completely baffling. She was only 17 when she dropped her debut; shouldn't she have improved as an artist since then? |
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Snowbeast
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My favs= Asiapop, dancing cow guy & that guy that is named whatever Lady GaGa's current single is
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Post by Snowbeast on Apr 23, 2014 21:02:58 GMT -5
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Ivy Leegueβ’
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Post by Ivy Leegueβ’ on Apr 23, 2014 22:21:07 GMT -5
She better defend her best video. Ka-ka-ka-KAWAII! YESSSSSSSSSS @ this video. I already love the album. This is just icing on the cake. Goodbye Lullaby was really good but this is the only Avril album where I don't want to skip songs so...
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2014 23:10:39 GMT -5
If Japan doesn't give a fuck, then white people surely shouldn't be guilt tripping.
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Snowbeast
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Post by Snowbeast on Apr 23, 2014 23:11:22 GMT -5
She literally responded to all the hate with a link to the video lolicant
& while wasn't initially supposed to be on Vevo, it has now been added because of its viral factor.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2014 0:00:35 GMT -5
I genuinely hope this becomes a pop music moment and it pisses the world off. Reclaim your relevance, Avrilegend.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2014 0:29:48 GMT -5
The video was cute or racist or whatever. But I actually really like the song :/ It's catchy...
The instrumental is great.
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Snowbeast
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Post by Snowbeast on Apr 24, 2014 1:01:36 GMT -5
Still #1 trend on Facebook 24 hours later with 1.5 mil talking. I haven't seen legitimate news events stay trending that long, let alone a somewhat controversial music video by an unpopular artist.
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theedge12
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Post by theedge12 on Apr 24, 2014 1:17:18 GMT -5
I'm confused.. How is that video racist?
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MyLastView
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Post by MyLastView on Apr 24, 2014 12:46:07 GMT -5
I'm confused.. How is that video racist? I don't know, people are just quick to get butthurt over just about anything these days. Basically though I think their argument is that it more or less makes fun of Asian culture and whatnot. |
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Snowbeast
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My favs= Asiapop, dancing cow guy & that guy that is named whatever Lady GaGa's current single is
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Post by Snowbeast on Apr 24, 2014 13:13:02 GMT -5
omg now her response is the #1 trending thing on Facebook. This is gold. The minute I watched this disappointing music video, I had NO idea the kind of publicity she would get and I'm usually good at calling those things.  |
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George
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Post by George on Apr 24, 2014 14:13:55 GMT -5
omg now her response is the #1 trending thing on Facebook. This is gold. The minute I watched this disappointing music video, I had NO idea the kind of publicity she would get and I'm usually good at calling those things. And to think, this was only for the Japan market. Makes me wonder if her label is gonna attempt to release this to the US now. |
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reidster
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Post by reidster on Apr 24, 2014 14:27:20 GMT -5
At this point, they should just send it for CHR adds. Kidding, not really though.
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Post by Rose "Payola" Nylund on Apr 24, 2014 17:36:13 GMT -5
What if she steals the thunder Katy was supposed to have? ICONIC!
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Snowbeast
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My favs= Asiapop, dancing cow guy & that guy that is named whatever Lady GaGa's current single is
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Post by Snowbeast on Apr 24, 2014 21:42:39 GMT -5
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Chris Ng
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Post by Chris Ng on Apr 25, 2014 1:17:18 GMT -5
Still #1 trend on Facebook 24 hours later with 1.5 mil talking. I haven't seen legitimate news events stay trending that long, let alone a somewhat controversial music video by an unpopular artist. Since when Avril became an unpopular artist? She's very well-known globally. |
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Snowbeast
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Post by Snowbeast on Apr 25, 2014 1:49:02 GMT -5
Still #1 trend on Facebook 24 hours later with 1.5 mil talking. I haven't seen legitimate news events stay trending that long, let alone a somewhat controversial music video by an unpopular artist. Since when Avril became an unpopular artist? She's very well-known globally. She's probably one of the most well-known artists to emerge in the last 15 years, but it doesn't mean she's currently relevant. Alanis Morrisette and Sheryl Crow are known to every one in the English speaking world too, but it doesn't mean they chart well now. |
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Glove Slap
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Post by Glove Slap on Apr 25, 2014 1:50:44 GMT -5
As someone who is currently living in Southeast Asia (but is originally European and has also lived in America for 10 years), the reaction to this is very interesting for me personally to watch to say the least.
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Snowbeast
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My favs= Asiapop, dancing cow guy & that guy that is named whatever Lady GaGa's current single is
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Post by Snowbeast on Apr 25, 2014 1:57:57 GMT -5
As someone who is currently living in Southeast Asia (but is originally European and has also lived in America for 10 years), the reaction to this is very interesting for me personally to watch to say the least. How so? |
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Glove Slap
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Post by Glove Slap on Apr 25, 2014 2:28:46 GMT -5
As someone who is currently living in Southeast Asia (but is originally European and has also lived in America for 10 years), the reaction to this is very interesting for me personally to watch to say the least. How so? I can perfectly see what might be considered extremely offensive and potentially racist about this video. I also concur with the majority that even with those aspects removed, it's still pretty terrible. Most of my friends form Europe and America would also probably agree to various extent. However, if I was to show this to most Chinese people, they would absolutely love it and that someone like her was utilizing East Asian culture in their videos. She is still extremely popular over here. Individuality isn't really held in high regard in China and communal thought is pushed onto the people here from the top. They would probably find nothing wrong with it whatsoever. This isn't so much the case in Japan (the communal thought part) though as I have heard from some friends who have travelled there though, although Western culture is fetishized and remodeled there as well. I guess it's interesting for me to see people trying to bridge VERY different cultures and the way that people from only one side are judging it. |
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