Everybody’s chatting about the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards. Between the seriously wack outfits and a few jaw-dropping, unscripted moments, there’s a lot to talk about. And it’s not all fun and neon.
If you’ve been paying even the slightest attention to the entertainment section of the internet these last several weeks, there’s been a lot of buzz about the VMAs. It all began with the misunderstanding between Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift—you know, the one that was misconstrued into a Twitter catfight—regarding the music industry’s double standard against Black female artists and women who don’t fit into an ideal, stick-thin image.
Then, in a recent New York Times interview, VMA host Miley Cyrus sounded off on this old news by critiquing Nicki’s opinions. I’ll touch on this later, but let’s get to the point: the VMAs were everything you could’ve imagined and a hell of a lot more. Here’s my take on everything—the good, the bad, and the WTF moments.
“What’s Good?!”
Can I just say that Nicki Minaj was flawless? Her gold gown was stunning, but she shined even more during her opening performance. And the grand finale put an end to rumors of lingering bad blood between Nicki and T. Swift. Is it embarrassing to say that I teared up when they hugged? Oops. Too late. Ask my friends, co-workers, and anyone who knows me in the slightest: I’m a die-hard Nicki Minaj fan. I also really enjoy Taylor Swift—I actually bought a physical copy of 1989, and it’s one of two CDs in rotation—so their duet left me purely delighted.
Miley’s comments on their dispute did the opposite.
The Bad
In her NYT interview, Miley accused Nicki of starting a “pop star against pop star war” (Minaj didn’t), and disapproved of Nicki’s tone. Cyrus said that the female rapper’s tweets were “very Nicki Minaj,” which apparently has become a new phrase for unkind and impolite. She didn’t respect what Minaj had to say or how she said it.
Essentially, Miley Cyrus was tone policing—an action that focuses on the way a statement is said, rather than the merit of its truth. Black women in particular are subject to tone policing; all too often, we’re criticized for being too loud. Too angry. Too impolite. Miley was painting Nicki Minaj as a stereotypical “angry Black woman.” When someone is passionate about a topic, be it an injustice in the music industry or society at large, should they be calm? Should women, particularly Black women and other women of color, have to be kind and polite instead of fired up?
It’s important to recognize two things: First, Miley’s new image revolves around impoliteness. Ever since she emerged from that tacky teddy bear, she has made it clear that she does what she wants, wears what she wants, and doesn’t care what you think about it. As a feminist, I think that’s rad. When it comes to self-expression (in various degrees of undress), I support Miley 110%. She’s received criticism for her provocative clothing and her sexuality; I see no problem with either.
I draw the line when she steals elements of my culture, claims them as her own, and fails to give credit where credit is due.
Second, her image also revolves around appropriating Black hip-hop culture. I’m willing to bet two VIP Pinkprint tour tickets that she’s fully aware of it, too. In 2013, MTV dubbed Miley Cyrus the Queen of Twerk, a title she graciously accepted. Her notorious performance was marked by a weird bear costume and the use of Black women’s bodies as props. She arrived to the VMAs sporting long braids from the Rachael Dolezal collection. Miley Cyrus wants to be hip, she wants to be street, she wants to dress up like a Black woman without the difficulties of being a Black woman.
When Nicki spoke up on issues affecting Black women in the biz, Miley brushed her off. And when Nicki called her out on it, Miley ignored her again without even a simple “sorry!” It is then that we’re reminded that the new, braided, ghetto-fab Miley is a wealthy, white woman, speaking from a position of privilege.
After Nicki put Miley on the spot, the hostess replied: “We’re all in this industry, we all do interviews, we all know how they manipulate.” Yes, we do. We know how the media manipulated Nicki’s tweets to make her look like she was attacking T-Swift, and we know how the tabloids made it look like she was coming after you for no reason.
The WTF
Perhaps the most mind-boggling, infuriating moment came right before Nicki’s callout. Rebel Wilson, best known for her standout role in Pitch Perfect, preceded the award presentation with a skit. Dressed like a police officer, Wilson started her skit by saying “a lot of people have problems with the police.” Given the headlines, this is something we know—police brutality is an epidemic plaguing communities of color. This is nothing new. It appeared that Rebel would be joining the ranks of stars who have spoken out about the issue, such as R&B singer Janelle Monae and Nicki Minaj herself.
Instead, the comedic actress turned the opportunity into a joke. Poised to lament the police, she went on to complain about police strippers, removed her costume, and revealed a shirt reading “F*** THE STRIPPER POLICE.”
And then proceeded to present Nicki with the award for best hip hop video. Talk about a slap to the face of the Black community.
Last, but not least: the Takeaway
I don’t know whether or not MTV was onboard with the entirety of the show. MTV, a network that I’d previously applauded for recent efforts of social consciousness, put Miley Cyrus at the helm of a disaster. MTV, the network that has aired commercials about a Black woman being disrespected by a white server, aired an unscripted example of that same disrespect. The network with an acclaimed documentary about white privilege showed a disgusting example of privilege at its finest: a white person making light of the very thing Black women and men fear.
Am I looking forward to next year’s VMAs? That’s a better joke than Rebel’s charade. Until then, I’ll be expecting more from the Yeezus2020 platform. I’m willing to bet Kanye’s immigration plan blows Trump’s out of the water.
(Featured image via isabel_maraj)
