Boycott Britney

Cornell Daily Sun ^ | November 5, 2001 | Matt Flahive

[The American]

This Tuesday, millions of Americans will make a choice that will affect this country's future. Their decision will either support or reject the direction of our society; together we can make a difference. No, this is not about Election Day, this is bigger. Tuesday is the day Britney Spears' new album, "Britney," hits the shelves.

Record sales of "Britney" will show us just how much America supports Spears' two-faced actions. She boasts large sales to guys worshipping her like a sex goddess, and even more sales to young girls worshipping her like a hero. This is a dangerous combination. If Americans choose wisely and boycott the upcoming album, Britney will be forced to recognize the error in her hypocritical ways. And all the slinky spandex suits in the world won't get her out of this one.

Spears has found success by simultaneously playing 'good girl' and 'sexy vixen.' Initially she only played the part of the good girl, building up a young fan base that, to this day, views her as a role model. Times have changed. No longer is she the girl next door ... unless you live next to a whorehouse. Yet though her actions make her look like a slut, at times she still behaves like a role model (part-time) to hang on to her young girl fan base.

Things were much simpler a few years ago. In 1998, Britney's single "Baby One More Time" shot to the top of pop music charts. Britney, a former member of the Mickey Mouse Club, was America's sweetheart and rode the ensuing wave of publicity. With her pretty smile and charming personality, she instantly became an idol to millions of girls. Britney was a role model, and she was raking in the big bucks.

The angelic look, however, didn't last long. It started with her provocative "Rolling Stone" cover. It got worse during the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards show when she stripped down to a revealing, skintight outfit. Next fans heard the audio clip from backstage of a Rio de Janeiro show when she swore like Andrew Dice Clay. And the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards show, when she danced around with the snake ... let's not go there.

Spears tells us that she has reinvented herself, trying to grow into a woman. No more teenybopper image for me, she says. If only that were true. Her actions speak much louder than her words. The reality is that she still capitalizes on her status as a role model to young girls.

One minute, Britney acts like a cheap hooker, making music videos that belong in the backroom of a video store, not on basic cable. The next minute, Britney becomes a sweet, virtuous, upstanding citizen. She goes on talk shows and practically turns into a Miss America contestant. Then it's right back to selling her body.

These constant metamorphoses help her appeal to multiple audiences, making her money. But the inevitable by-product is that Britney corrupts the morals of America's youth, all for a quick buck.

Britney should not be faulted for her capitalistic ways, or for trying to repackage herself. What she does deserve blame for, however, is giving mixed messages to her young fans about her status as their role model. Her official Website hawks Britney dolls alongside "Slave 4 U" t-shirts.

Last week she giggled at Britney-wannabes performing lewd acts for MTV, but next week she has a special on the Fox Family Network. Britney talks about how she cherishes her virginity, but her "Don't Let Me Be the Last to Know" video simulates sex on the beach. She participates in a makeshift orgy for her "I'm a Slave 4 U" music video, but follows it up with a performance on the family-friendly Rosie O'Donnell Show.

We as a civilized society need to stop Britney and her immoral ways. She must make a choice: either sex symbol or role model. You can have one or the other, but not both. Jessica Simpson chose the role model route. Jennifer Lopez has only ever strived to be a sex symbol. Both Simpson and Lopez have been very successful without attracting the criticism that Britney receives. Britney should choose one target demographic and stick with it.

Until Britney makes up her mind, we as a society must boycott her albums. Heck, it's not like we'll miss her tremendous singing ability. We must force Britney to select a target audience and stop pursuing two very different fan bases. She must do this for the sake of her young fans. They idolize her, they emulate her. This country already has too many pre-teen girls dressing and acting like hookers; we must fight this trend. The best way to fight it is to boycott Britney because her actions do our society a grave disservice.

Britney, either return to the wholesome days of "Sometimes" or stick with "I'm a Slave 4 U" and stop catering to your younger fans. If you don't make a decision, the American public will. We will boycott your records.

[Sir Gawain]

Parties? :-D

[Redcloak]

A note to Mr. Flahive: Get a life.

[GB]

You reinforce what I said. If she wants to smoke, drink, have sex, whatever, she's of age (19 I think) and as long as she doesn't advocate it to mine or someone else's kids, let her paddle her own canoe. Like all of us, she'll have to answer for her actions to a higher court than public opinion at some point. Just don't try to have it both ways. Don't say you're a practicing Southern Baptist and a virgin, and then act like a trollop.

[StayoutdaBushesWay]

Jessica Simpson chose the role model route

I'm afraid that the self-proclaimed good Christian Jessica is going down Brits road. I have been seeing more and more skin on Jessica lately (have you seen her Bally's ad?). If I recall this is how Brittney started out as well, she claimed she was a strict Baptist etc...but turned her image around in a hurry when she hit 18.
Jessica started out in the music business with her roots deep in Christianity, she sang at her church and I believe she recorded, but her roots are being pulled for a more worldly image. Sad!

[JimVT]

Britney talks about how she cherishes her virginity.

If she's a virgin so am I.

I did not have sexual relations with those 500 (+-) women.

[N. Theknow]

Yeah. I guess I have been boycotting Britney all along, and didn't even realize it.

Ummm. Me too, I guess.

[Rebelbase]

Sheesh, I did'nt even catch that myself! I need a gif file symbolizing "open mouth, insert foot" to post after pulling a Duh-oh! like that.

[paul51]

Man, I hate it when my kids do the stuff I used to do when I was a punk....er, kid.

[SunStar]

I would like to give Britney a good old fashion spanking.

Seconded. In fact, a double-spanking with Britney on the left and Christina Aguilera on the right would do nicely.

[Fintan]

And, uh, this is what ol' Matt is bitching about????

Maybe Matty-poo might try visiting this LINK...

Cheers.

[XA-3Whaler]

I don't know why I read your post. I have never listen to her anyway. The only thing I heard you describe is "Free Enterprise." An American way.

[Rum Tum Tugger]

Get a life.

[Fintan]

And my money's on those puppies being real...

[MJemison]

At age 11, my daughter loved Britney Spears. At age 13 she says Britney is phoney. Her favorite album now? The soundtract from "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou." Go figure.

[weegee]

Fox Family Network is now Disney owned. Another good moral fiber corporation < /sarcasm>

As for the way Britney dresses, Target, JC Penney, and other department stores willingly stock young girls' versions of the skimpywear.

Britney is over 18 and is free to dress as she pleases. JC Penney thought it was a good idea to show a commercial of a girl putting on her low-cut jeans with her mom helping her lower the waistline. Who do you trust?

If you're looking for things to boycott, there are bigger targets than Britney.

[shellylet]

Well, you know what they say......if the shoe fits...........!

[GB]

You know, if some of these teenyboppers really wanted to get down and listen to some righteous music that they can dance and shake their butts to, instead of the faux stuff from a little white girl from Louisiana who tries to sound black and R&B but winds up sounding like she's got a mouth full of sod ... I'd like to put on "Otis Redding Live In Europe" or "James Brown At The Apollo" or, better yet, the piece de resistance, the greatest live rock and roll recording ever made, "Jerry Lee Lewis At The Star Club In Hamburg, 1964." Smoke comes out of my stereo speakers when I play that Jerry Lee CD. I don't know if kids today could handle it.

[LaBradford22]

Every time I hear her sing "I'm a slave" on the radio, what I hear is "I'm a slut"...

[Victoria Delsoul]