For my CWW presentation, I chose Christina Aguilera. She is an American recording artist and actress who first appeared on the scene in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program. She signed with RCA records after recording "Reflection", the theme song for the Disney movie Mulan. Next month, at age 31, she will be releasing her seventh studio album: Lotus. Aside from being well known for topping Billboard charts and amazing audiences with her outstanding vocal ability, Christina Aguilera has become popular for dealing with themes such as public scrutiny, her childhood, and female empowerment in her music. Apart from her work in music, she has also dedicated much of her time as a philanthropist for charities, human rights, and world issues which include her work as a UN Ambassador for the World Food Programme. She lived with her mother and father until age seven, when they divorced. Christina's father was very controlling, as well as physically and emotionally abusive. In a Rolling Stone interview she said, "There was so much domestic violence going on when I grew up with my dad traveling in the military. I think the reason that my drive was so strong and I was so passionate about music was because I grew up in an environment of domestic violence." She wrote I'm OK and Oh Mother about her difficult childhood. Despite her tough beginnings, Christina Aguilera has become very successful and overcome many obstacles. She sends positive messages about body image and female empowerment through her other songs; some that are especially powerful are Can't Hold Us Down, Fighter and Beautiful.
I wanted to focus specifically on Can't Hold Us Down because it explicitly questions why the world continues to revolve around double standards. In this song, she talks about many instances where women are held to these standards where men aren't and how females are socially criticized because of them.
So what am I not supposed to have an opinion
Should I be quiet just because I'm a woman
Call me a bitch cos I speak what's on my mind
Guess it's easier for you to swallow if I sat and smiled
This is for my girls all around the world
Who've come across a man who don't respect your worth
Thinking all women should be seen, not heard
So what do we do girls?
Shout out loud!
If you look back in history
It's a common double standard of society
The guy gets all the glory the more he can score
While the girl can do the same and yet you call her a whore
While reading many of the comments on this video from YouTube, I saw that some people thought it was a bit hypocritical for her outfit to be so revealing as she's trying to get the men to see women as more than sex objects. At first, I agreed. Lil Kim, featured rapper in the song, and Christina both are wearing provocative clothing. But after some thought, I realized that her choice in clothing was on purpose. Christina Aguilera is saying that there is nothing wrong with wanting to feel sexy, and that it's your right as a woman to choose to feel that way. She doesn't believe women should feel shame towards their bodies simply in fear of a man hyper sexualizing them. She shows, through this video, that women are strong and equal to men, but in that strength don't have to compromise their femininity. I think that's the underlying message conveyed through this video.
I love Christina. She is a very empowering woman. Her songs do reflect trials she has faced in life and as a woman in a mans world. She defiantly connects with writers like bell hooks. their outrage against the double standards is what is helping women all around the world begin to understand that the world needs to me equal and not filled with male dominated ideas.
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