policy with pop

Jessica Simpson: Weighing Our Judgments

Argue with me if you want but I think Jessica Simpson’s best song to date is 2001’s “Irresistible.”

But Jessica isn’t a teeny bopper pop princess anymore. Her life has changed since then relationship-wise (Goodbye, Nick Lachey. Hello, Tony Romo), music-wise (pop to country) and screen-wise (reality television to movie/direct-to-DVD). But the media and public has taken notice of another change – her body.

The internet was abuzz with photos of her recent Chili Cookoff performance. See.

Jessica received harsh criticism about her weight gain. I mean I felt sad for the girl.

Sister Ashlee came to the defense of her big sis… I mean… her older sis. Ashlee posted the following response to her blog:

I am completely disgusted by the headlines concerning my sister's weight. A week after the inauguration and with such a feeling of hope in the air for our country, I find it completely embarrassing and belittling to all women to read about a woman's weight or figure as a headline on Fox News.

All women come in different shapes, sizes, and forms and just because you're a celebrity, there shouldn't be a different standard.

Is this something you would say to your wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, or even a friend? I seriously doubt it. How can we expect teenage girls to love and respect themselves in an environment where we criticize a size 2 figure?

Now can we focus on the things that really matter.

It’s sweet that Ashlee defended Jessica. But I think Tyra Banks made the point more effectively on The Tyra Banks Show when she faced similar weight criticism. Watch the iconic moment:

Now Ashlee and Tyra are saying criticism of female celebrity’s weight is sexist and demeaning to women. Plus, they argue the comments ingrain a harmful body image in girls and women.

Considering both Jessica and Tyra have used their bodies and sex appeal to further their careers and make money, is it fair for the public to critique their bodies?

Weigh in on this debate. What do you think? Is the weight criticism of these celebrities fair or is it mean, sexist and destructive? And, is Jessica Simpson still “Irresistible”?

Workin' It at the Inauguration

In case you missed it, Barack Obama was sworn in President of the United States this past Tuesday (or maybe Wednesday).

Now plenty of celebrities participated in the historic and prestigious event. Some of them performed in honor of President Obama. But, let’s also be real. They were also there to promote their current projects.

Take Beyonce. She sang Etta James’ “At Last” for the Obamas’ first dance together as President and First Lady.

While the song title is symbolically appropriate for the inauguration of our first black President, it also serves to highlight the fact that Beyonce portrays Etta James in the biopic “Cadillac Records” in theatres now.

Mariah Carey performed her classic hit “Hero” and dedicated it to Obama.

Now Mariah has sung this song at different events which invoked hope or the need for it – Live 8 and America: A Tribute to Heroes (the 9/11 telethon). Thus, it makes sense that she would sing “Hero” in honor of Mr. Hope himself. She has no reason to promote an old song... Yes and no. “Hero” is a fine selection from the Mariah catalog to sing for Obama. But “Hero” is featured on her new greatest hits album “The Ballads,” which coincidentally was released on inauguration day.

Now I’m not dissin’ these divas and other performers. You can honor, promote and work it! Do you disagree? Is it kinda tacky? Let me now.

And who else do you think slyly promoted his/her work while honoring the President? Who did it the best?

My vote goes to the J. Crew. When you become the pseudo-official clothing of the First Family, you know you done good.

And which entertainer do you think hurt more than helped his/her career at the inauguration?

Unfortunately, I think that goes to poet Elizabeth Alexander. I’m not sophisticated in poetry (far from it) but I didn’t connect to her poem, “Praise Song for the Day.” I was hoping to. Maybe you can explain it to me.

Oh by the way, you can buy a copy of Alexander’s “Praise Song for the Day” too.

Jesse McCartney: It's Over... President Bush

Jesse McCartney’s video for “It’s Over” has and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind vibe to it. I dig the song and video. Check it out:

The nation is going through an “it’s over” moment too. President George W. Bush is close to leaving office. Come this Tuesday, the nation will have rebounded (so to speak) with President-elect Barack Obama.

As Jesse reminds us, there are good and bad memories with any breakup. With a record-breaking 22% approval rating, President Bush and the country are not separating on the best of terms.

But, what are some of the good memories or policies that President Bush has created in the last eight years? If you are a one of Bush’s detractors, I especially challenge you to answer this question.

What are some of President Bush’s worst mistakes? For the 22% of you who approve of his presidency, I especially challenge you to answer this question.

In Jesse’s video, he erased all memories of his ex-girlfriend. I often hear Bush detractors say that they wish they could forget the last eight years of President Bush. If possible, do you think we should try to erase the memory of the Bush presidency? Or do you believe there are good lessons from the good, the bad and the ugly? If so, what are they?

Prince Harry: National Treasure or Royal Pain?

Apparently Prince Harry did not heed Mariah Carey’s sage advice - “If it’s a camera up in here, then I best not catch this flick on YouTube, YouTube.”

Prince Harry has set off a storm with his usage of racist language in the video made three years ago while he was serving in Afghanistan with the British army. Since St James’s Place issued a statement that Prince Harry has acknowledged and apologized for his racist remarks, we don’t have to debate about whether they were or weren’t (unless you want to). However, this does raise the question: Should there be a royal family?

This isn’t the first time Prince Harry has brought shame to his family. At 17, he admitted he used marijuana and entered into a drug treatment program. He also reportedly snorted vodka, which is dangerous. In 2004, Prince Harry was also accused of cheating his high school exit exams and was also in a scuffle with the paparazzi. 2005 saw the Prince dress up as a German Afrika Korps uniform with a swastika. He apologized for his costume. This video is his and his family’s latest embarrassment.

His ignorance and mistakes are not necessarily uncommon for a young man growing up. The difference is he is third-in-line to the throne and in the scrutiny of the limelight. Should the public expect more from him given the perks of his royal upbringing (like having a private education)? Or do Prince Harry’s mistakes humanize him and generate more interest in him and the royal family, making them relevant (even if only in a celebrity sense)?

I guess what I’m really asking is what is the royal family’s role when its power is primarily ceremonial? Does that role justify having royals? Obviously British tradition and culture play a role in why the monarchy has survived. Plus, the British royal family generates millions of dollars in tourism ($200 million in 2006-2007) and does charity work worldwide. But, does that all justify its existence and all the taxpayer money and respect it receives? You tell me.

And if you support having a constitutional monarchy, what expectations should the pubic have? How do you keep member of the royal family accountable? More to the point: how do the people punish them, if they can?

Opportunities

“I say my power should be our power.” If you have an idea for a post or want to submit a post for PolicyWithPop.com, send it to rich[at]policywithpop.com. By emailing me a submission, you agree that it is your own original work and give me permission to edit and post it on PolicyWithPop.com. Sorry to get all legal-like on y’all.

 

On a different note: If you want to go to Obama’s inauguration but can’t make it, don’t fret. One of my former schoolmates (Zot! Zot! Zot!) told me about a new project she is working on - LinkLive.org. The site will provide you with inauguration coverage via video, blogging, pictures, etc. Plus, LinkLive.org has a networking component. Check it out.

 

TRIVIA: Be the first one to name me the character that said the first quote in bold and identify the school I went to based on the next bold text, and I’ll send you a prize. Post your answer in the comments section and make sure to fill out the email address slot (so I can contact you). Good luck.

Republican: Barack the Magic...

While PolicyWithPop.com was on a two-month hiatus, America elected Barack Obama the next President of the United States. With its electoral losses, the Republican Party is in disarray and looking for new leadership. The Republican National Committee (RNC) is holding elections for a new party chair. There are currently six candidates.

It is really anyone’s game. One RNC chair candidate, Chris Saltsman, not only sent each RNC member a note asking for support but attached a CD that contains a controversial jingle that takes jabs at the president-elect in hopes of appealing to RNC members. It parodies “Puff the Magic Dragon.”

 

Let’s take a moment to remember the kiddie classic.

Now the conservative parody is not really kid-friendly and PC as the inspirational Puff. The song, produced by the Rush Limbaugh Show, is sung by a white political satirist, Paul Shanklin, imitating Rev. Al Sharpton’s voice. You can click here to hear it. The song bases its lyrics on an LA Times opinion piece and is entitled “Barack the Magic Negro.”

 

Magic what!?! Apparently it is a cinematic term, which refers to black characters that mysteriously appear out of nowhere and miraculously save the white protagonists. I’ve never watched it but apparently The Legend of Bagger Vance starring Will Smith and Matt Damon is an example.

The opinion piece mentions that Obama has been criticized for not being “genuine” black. The song takes this argument to another level. With an Al Sharpton-impersonated voice, the song’s lyrics proclaim: Barack is “black but not authentically.”

 

The opinion piece and the song’s lyrics are referencing the fact that Obama is half-white and did not live in “the hood.” They eerily echo Ku Klux Klan’s view. KKK national director Thomas Robb stated, “Obama is only half black. Not only is he only half black – he was not raised in a black environment. He was raised by his single [white] mother.”

 

If you read the LA Times opinion, do you think it crossed a line? Or was it a fair-game assessment of Obama?

 

Is the song racist as some claim? Or is it just political satir? Does it matter that it bases its lyrics on the LA Times opinion?  

 

If the song is acceptable political satire, is it smart for Republicans to bring up Obama’s race in a negative manner even as a joke? Does it open up Republicans to charges of racism? Or are Republicans strategically pushing the envelope to make it easier/more acceptable to criticize the first black President?