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From: nessus@mit-eddie.UUCP (Doug Alan)
Newsgroups: net.women,net.music
Subject: Performers with sexual images seen as role models
Message-ID: <4728@mit-eddie.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 18-Jul-85 17:26:53 EDT
Article-I.D.: mit-eddi.4728
Posted: Thu Jul 18 17:26:53 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 20-Jul-85 04:49:42 EDT
Distribution: net.women,net.music
Organization: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Lines: 63
Keywords: Madonna, Kate Bush
Xref: watmath net.women:6503 net.music:8389

> From: cat@tommif.UUCP (Catherine Mikkelsen)

> AND BEFORE I get told to move this discussion to net.music (aaargh!!
> not Kate Bush!!!), back to the original topic:

But Kate Bush would make a perfect roll model!  (Before any one flames
at me to shut up about about Kate Bush, don't worry, this is all I'm
going to say on the matter.)

She presents an image of honesty, intelligence, independence,
artisticness, compassion, and non-conformity.

Madonna may present an image of independence, but honesty and
compassion?  Hah!  Madonna presents this discusting sexual image, where
she becomes nothing but a sexual object.  A boy toy, but one that bites.
Sex is to be used to get what one wants.  It is also something that is
evil and wrong, and that's why it's so much fun, because its fun to be
naughty.  This type of portrayal of sex is disgusting and does no one
any good.  It just goes to perpetuate the vile hang-ups about sex that
have infected society for so long.

Kate Bush too presented a sexual image during her early career, but it
was a positive image.  Her sexuality was just one aspect of a
well-rounded personality.  Sex was presented as an important, wholesome,
natural, and good part of life.  There were no conotations of sex being
dirty or wrong, or either partner being a master or slave.  This image
reinforces how sex should be viewed.

As Trouser Press said:

	The lyrics are striking, even at a casual glance, just because
	they are about things (rare); many tunes are about sex, but with
	none of the "consuming bitch" or the "submissive lady" so often
	in weary evidence.  Instead, Kate espouses the view that, blush,
	sex can be fun, maybe even a good idea: "...it could be love/ Or
	it could be just lust but it will be fun."

Other lyrics about sex include:

	The more I think about sex,
	The better it gets,
	Here we have a purpose in life.
	Good for the blood circulation,
	Good for releasing the tension,
	The root of our reincarnations.

And some pleasantly feminist (instead of obnoxiously feminist lyrics):

	Hey there you lady in tears
	Do you think that they care if they're real woman?
	They just take it as part of the deal
	Lost in your men and the games you play
	Trying to prove that you're better, woman
	But you needn't get heavy with them
	Like it or not, we were built tough
	Because we're woman

Of course, there are a bunch of other female musical artists who present
a positive image and who would make fine role models: Suzanne Vega, Tina
Weymouth, etc., but not Madonna.  Madonna does society no good!

				-Doug Alan
				  nessus@mit-eddie.UUCP (or ARPA)