Katy Perry has been known to sing about superficial ideas and trends, which are typically accompanied by silly, over-the-top videos, like “California Gurls” and “Last Friday Night.” But in her recent album and videos, Perry has shifted her focus from the carefree and juvenile to messages of empowerment, courage and inner-strength.
But some don’t see Perry’s latest intent.
Her “Part of Me” video has become a topic of scrutiny for feminist writer Naomi Wolf, who claims it is propaganda for the U.S. Marine Corps. In the video, Perry discovers her boyfriend isn’t as devoted to her as he should be, and to show him what he’s missing she chops off her hair, joins the Marines and proves to him and herself that he will never take her strength.
The video is the complete opposite of what the Christian-singer-gone-pop-star has done in the past, and demonstrates female strength and equality — the foundation of nearly all feminist beliefs. It is strange that a feminist would not recognize this message, but instead focus on the branch of military Perry chose to work with for the video.
In an interview, Perry said she chose the Marines because it comes to mind as the strongest branch if she were to join the service, emphasizing the song’s point that a woman does not need to be held back or supported by a man. Wolf, who said she was a supporter of Perry prior to the “Part of Me” video, asks how much the Marines paid Perry to use them and claims it is a promotion of violence.
No violent acts are committed in the video. It shows the training members of the Marine Corps go through, and the idea is introduced by a bumper sticker that reads, “All women are created equal, then some become Marines.” While Perry chose the Marines, she could have used any branch of the military and the message would have been the same — women are strong.
Wolf is so opposed to this particular video that she has suggested fans boycott Perry’s music, but many of Perry’s prior videos could be considered far more demeaning to women.
In “California Gurls,” Perry is dressed like a hot piece of candy in a game that Snoop Dogg is playing. In “Last Friday Night,” she is transformed from a nerdy girl with a headset to a hot ‘80s diva so she can attend a party with the song’s strongest message being that she blacked out from drinking.
It seems these videos would cause feminists to be far more alarmed by Perry’s portrayals than one that demonstrates so strongly the feminist stance — women can do what they want without conforming to the ideas of a male-dominant society.
Perry’s transformation from the instant sensation of a girl who kissed another girl to the woman who stands up for herself and addresses political issues many singers shy away from is something to be admired, not boycotted.
Elizabeth Rudd can be reached at [email protected]