1) Which Disney song would win out of a competition between "Part of your world" from The little mermaid, or, "A whole new world: from Aladdin. I think I will create a poll for this one and let public debate sort it out. Oh! amusing typo, I actually wrote pubic, thankfully I wasn't in class and putting that on the whiteboard.. DISCLAIMER: I have never done that before, ever.. (shifty eyes)
2) Recently, on my last trip back home, a friend was in my car and "Born this way" by Lady Gaga came upon the radio. This sparked an instant good mood from me, as a) I love Lady Gaga, and b) this song has immense personal relevance to me and the other members of the GLBTIQ community (tangent: can that acronym possibly get any longer???). In my friend however, it elicited derision and snide comments about how she was "pandering to the gays".
First of all, while it can be stated that the "pink dollar" is indeed powerful, I would like to point out that "Born this way" the album is her most recent release of which she has had several. People say that she is preying on the gay community in order to boost her popularity in younger demographics and that she is only championing our causes (e.g. Marriage equality, the repeal of DADT in the US, teen suicide etc) to get us on side.
Well, WHY THE FUCK NOT? Every cause throughout human history has had its champion. Abe Lincoln signed the emancipation proclamation to end slavery, but it was Malcolm X and Dr King that really urged black people to fight for their rights and to make others really examine the issues. Germaine Greer was a key player in the feminism movement, causing the world to take another look at the roles women play in society. Now, in most parts of the world, the colour of your skin, or your lady parts, do not mean that you are afforded any less in life. These movements arose in a time of need to make life better for their constituents and required a public figure to bring it to the attention of the world. Lady Gaga is our Malcolm X. I know this a bold statement but as an educator I can see in the kids I interact with daily that by spreading the word that we gays are not all queeny, AIDS-ridden paedophiles, she is making the world a better place for us. Do we love her for it? Yes. Do we then go on to support her for it? Of course, we should reciprocate the love. Does she make money from it? Yes, but then she puts it back in worthwhile causes.
In summation, Lady Gaygay might be pandering to us recently, but I think this is a good thing. I have successfully stamped out using the word "gay" as an adjective for something bad from the vocabulary of the kids at my school, through educating them about what the word actually means. Lady Gaga has educated MASSES of people through her songs and powerful public presence, asking them to reexamine their views on topical issues relating to homosexuals. I say go for it Gaga, get me my husband!
End Rant =)
(Image from http://flagspot.net/flags/au_gay.html)
Hush you!
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