When I was 7 I wrote to Kelloggs complaining that there weren’t enough female characters on their cereal boxes after wondering why Snap Crackle and Pop from the Rice Bubbles pack were all boys. Admittedly, all it got me was some free Simpson water pistol style toys that they were promoting and a letter in the mail, however it felt good to voice my concerns. A feminist from a young age, a thought entered my (now damp thanks to the water pistols and my little brother) head: I wonder what they would do if it wasn’t just me that complained? Would they put a girl character on the front? Years later and it feels like I’m fighting the same battle, only this time with the music industry.
End Violence Against Women has recently launched a campaign challenging sexist and racist music videos. Joining forced with Imkaan and Object, this post outlines what they want to achieve and how you can help complain about sexist and racist music in various ways. This campaign has, unfortunately resulted in criticism with people crying censorship. However it does have some great ideas on how ordinary people can fight misogyny in the music industry. Therefore I’d like to build on the good parts of their post, and add some of my own.
How to Complain About Misogynist Music:
1. Twitter, Facebook, & Blogging
“Tell them how the videos make you feel, and let them know that you’d be more likely to buy their music in future if they change the way they portray women.” I definitely agree with EVAW on this front. Don’t be shy to tell artists and record companies how you feel about their music, on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites. Blog, tweet, share. Be loud & stand your ground as the more complaints they get the more they’ll have to take notice.
2. Parody Videos & Comedy
Humour is always a good way to diffuse a situation, and get your point across. As many budding passionate comedians racking up the views on YouTube have learnt, parody videos are the way to go. Why? It allows a creative way of showing the world that the objectification of women in these videos is so completely ludicrous, and sexist that the musicians that are creating them are a joke. Reducing a musicians career to a laughingstock (ala Sarah Palin & SNL but in music) means that maybe they’ll think again when making their next album or music video.
3. Protest Signs & Traditional Media
Have you ever seen those masses of groups outside morning talk shows with protest signs? If you live near a talk show studio, like the Sunrise one at Martin Place here in Sydney, and you know a misogynist musician will be playing on their show make some creative signs, grab some passionate friends, and protest. You’ll get televised to a large audience and more often than not the hosts come outside and interview people. Protest outside the offices of the record company, protest outside a musicians concert, or anywhere they will be. Just be sure to email a few journalists to come get some exposure! The more you get the conversation started, and make the record execs feel under pressure; the more likely they are to rethink their choices.
Oh and just one more:
4. Don’t buy their music.
Any more ideas?
-Rocheen.
Fight Misogynist Music 
What a great post! I’ve been ranting lately in my own campaign, simply because I’m frustrated with a whole range of issues to do with the music industry. It’s nice to hear some pro-active steps we can take beyond social media to make real change. At the end of the day, I feel better for voicing my opinion as everyone does, but fighting these issues is an up hill battle. It will take a generation of music listeners to voice their opinions before any change occurs, and let’s face it, I’m not sure if the majority is really concerned. Anyhow, I take my hat off to anyone who tries, because if we don’t rant and make our dissatisfaction known, who will?
Awesome post because it actually TELLS you what you can do. Sometimes you just resolve to hating things and not doing anything about them because you feel like you have no power – I’ll definitely be doing more on the social media side of things and even think about joining some movements. In general I always switch off the radio every time good ol’ Robin Thicke and Co come on – although, I generally don’t listen to those stations. Same goes for my consuming habits – never buy such music anyway. Hopefully all these little changes can make big changes, after all there is plenty of energy in the movement, I honestly think one day we can really get to the big companies and ‘pop stars’ perpetuating abhorrent anti-women sentiments. Awesome blog you girls have going, look forward to reading more!
I think about how counterintuitive sharing misogynist music videos is. You share it, you give it more traction. Even if your comment is that you don’t like it, it’s more views for them. In turn giving the producers more money. I think it’s great to voice concerns but be wary, you follow them, even in negativity, you are still a follower.
I love the idea of video parody. I’d be keen to join in one if the opportunity ever arose.
Campaign idea?
I love the ideas behind this campaign! Fight the misogyny!
This post is great, you could kick up a real good shit-storm if you wanted to.
It’s always difficult attacking ‘popular’ culture though as what we are finding/already knew in our campaign is the lack of knowledge/care toward sexism in general.