I'm Talking 'Bout Those Blurred Lines

There are few things in this world that can make me Hulk angry in a matter of seconds  (excluding the misuse of your/you’re, there/their and LOL. But every now and again I am confronted by something that makes me so angry I turn green and go from zero to sixty in three point five shut up and drive on the Anger Scale. Last week I met with such a thing. And even now, just thinking about it, the red mist of anger clouds my vision and my skin is tinged with green...

But have you seen the Blurred Lines music video?  Sweet bass line, catchy tune and jaunty lighting that makes it look o so Instagram. Youtube hits at this moment stand at 58,015,056 million.

But have you seen this music video? Have you seen the women prancing around in plastic and flesh toned underwear? Have you seen the way the women are passed on from guy to guy? Have you seen the woman on her hands and knees with a car balanced on her back? Have you seen the way the women are objectified into glossy hair, red lipstick, pretty faces and ‘great bodies’? Have you seen how it’s all a bit of fun because look how the guys are just joking around? #lad

But have you seen this music video yet?

It makes me angry. And believe me, you won’t like me when I’m angry (or whatever it is the hulk says – I was never much of a Hulk fan).

I’m angry that it tells our sisters, nieces, daughters, granddaughters, cousins and friends that being objectified to a pretty face, boobs, legs and bum instead of an actual human being dearly beloved of God and of infinite value is OK.

I’m angry that it tells our brothers, nephews, sons, grandsons, cousins and friends that the objectification of women, from human being dearly beloved of God and of infinite value to a pretty face, boobs, legs and bum is OK.

I’m angry that so many people will think I’m over reacting. Because it’s just a music video, right? #banter

I’m angry because the objectification of women is such an everyday thing that sometimes I barely notice it. And the less we notice it, the more acceptable it becomes. And the more acceptable it becomes the fewer inappropriate behaviours we question and stand up to. This is not OK.

I’m angry because I don’t know how we can change this.

P.S. If you haven’t signed the No more page 3 petition then you really should. And you might want to check out the Everyday Sexism Project.

Lying in the Traffic

Every now and again I find an album that just makes we want to weep tears of musical joy. And every time I listen to it I want to go and lie in traffic because I know that nothing in my life will ever be as well crafted as that lyric, melody or arrangement. 

Every time I find such an album I listen to nothing else for maybe the next two weeks and I mean literally nothing else.

This week I discovered such an album that makes me want to lie in the middle of Bethnal Green Road and take my chances with the traffic.

Endless Years by Will Reagan and the United Pursuit Band.

I have listened to nothing else for the past week. You need to listen to it.

The title track, Endless Years, is by far my favourite:

I will hold you child

When all is done

When the world is gone

And many songs have been sung

You will be with me

Through endless years

We will dance and sing

When your heart is fulfilled

So don’t close your eyes

Don’t lose your way

Don’t miss all the gifts

That are unforeseen

I’m your anchor and shield

I’m the wind in your sails

I’m the song in your heart

I’m the God who saves. 

All Sons & Daughters

LOVING All Sons & Daughters right now.

In particular:

My life is yours 

My hope is in you only 

My heart you hold

‘Cause You made this sinner holy 

Holy, holy 

Your glory is so beautiful 

I fall onto my knees in awe

And the heartbeat of my life 

Is to worship in your light 

‘Cause Your glory is so beautiful 

Your glory is so beautiful 

The heartbeat of my life is to worship in your light.