Friday, March 02, 2012

Rumer has it.

Here's some music for your faces. And your ears, too I suppose:



That's Rumer. She's got the voice of an angel. Karen Carpenter reincarnated maybe. She's probably sick of hearing both of those things. Oh well. And her name isn't really Rumer. I think it's Sarah. I agree with her that Rumer sounds much cooler. No offense intended to my readers named Sara(h).

myblackfriend, she's not black, so why are you talking about her on your blog?

Well, she is half-Pakistani, but that's not why I am blogging about her either. sometimes I like to blog about things that relate to different forms of inequality, not just things that stem from race. I almost said "related to race" but that wouldn't be accurate, because I do believe that all forms of inequality are related in some way.

Anyways, I'm writing about Rumer because she is a talented singer/songwriter who is also overweight. Sidenote: I thought a lot about just the right word to describe this particular woman's body. As it goes with women's bodies, there are many words to choose from. I finally decided on "overweight." It's not the best word, but if you don't like it, don't blame me--blame society.

I first heard about Rumer on CBS News Sunday Morning. She talked about how she worked all kinds of jobs while she was waiting for her big break. That's not that unusual of a story, but it got me thinking, "Hmm...I wonder why she's getting her big break now? She's got an amazing voice, much better than many people who are currently on the radio."

I decided that she is getting her big break now, because consumers have shown that they are willing to spend money on overweight, really talented, female singer/songwriters, as demonstrated by the massive success of another British artist, Adele. So a record executive decided that it might be a good bet to invest some money in Rumer, because she might make him and his bosses a lot of money, the same way Adele made her record company a lot of money. Because record companies (like most companies I know,) are intensely motivated by the amount of money they can make.

These two women illustrate a really important point. If people want change in society, one of the most powerful ways that they can push for that change is how they choose to spend their money. Adele is massively successful, and now corporations are responding by expanding their ideas of what a successful musician can look like. It's kind of like the explosion of all the New Jersey related shows, except much, much, better. If it makes corporations money, they'll do it. If it doesn't, they won't. So if we can show them how it's profitable not to be racist/sexist/lookist/homophobic/etc. they'll stop. Is that an oversimplification? I don't think so. It's true that it doesn't address how people without money to spend are supposed to make their voices heard, but I'm finished blogging for the day.

And even if you don't agree with anything I've written here, at least you got to hear a pretty song. And for that, you are welcome.

Comments? Leave them for me.

4 comments:

  1. Anonymous6:54 PM

    ooh I could talk about this stuff for ages, as you probably know.

    let's just hope that Rumer and Adele continue to support body positivity, unlike Jennifer Hudson (the weight watchers spokeswoman) who is reportedly prouder of her weight loss than her grammy :(

    ReplyDelete
  2. ashley6:55 PM

    hi, that was ashley! ^^

    ReplyDelete
  3. Chris Jenney7:23 PM

    As a consumer, I'm inclined to purchase any product that breaks away from the idea of perfection. Until recently, a lot of talented women have gone completely ignored if they haven't fit into the role of the perfect female. Dove has had success with this idea, as well.

    ReplyDelete
  4. sabria11:00 AM

    I agree with Ashley. J Hud and Oprah need to eat and just be themselves... when they find that person. People need to understand that they can find acceptance if they will just be honest human beings with integrity and respect for others. No one really likes a follower... not for the long term anyway.

    ReplyDelete