Jahan Yousaf (Musician) Op-Ed on Sexism in Music Industry, Social Media

[Shiranu]

Long-ish, so I'll try to clip out the better bits... hopefully the font doesn't go crazy like it likes to... and I ended up just quoting most of the article...
http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/code/6386045/krewella-jahan-yousaf-deadmau5-kris-trindl-op-ed

When my sister Yasmine and I got sued by our former bandmate, Kris Trindl, for allegedly "forcing" him out of the group for being "sober," some of you told us to pursue a career in porn as we had failed at Krewella. Despite my penis being a little camera-shy, I was about to consider it. But then superstar DJ deadmau5 seemed to take an interest in us, and now I think a career in music will work out. Thank you, deadmau5, for saving me from doing porn.

This isn't just about deadmau5 or porn. It's about sex, media and humanity. After 10 months of being removed from social media, this highly publicized lawsuit has lured me out of my cave. ... just stalked the fuck out of myself, read comments, and played the voyeur like Peeping Tom. Can someone please create an algorithm for how many times the words "whore" and "krewella" are used in the same sentence online?? These are just a few of the hundreds I collected:

Some of you are probably laughing at these comments, as I did at first. But hell, I can't even fake a smile right now. This sickens me, because the way we participate in Internet dialogue mirrors our attitude as a society. And what I see in that reflection is an immense amount of hatred and intolerance for one another. .... I don't see enough people challenging the intolerance that deadmau5 preaches to his 3 million followers, researching beyond the headlines they read, or protesting against the derogatory dialogue that circulates on social networks.

I am grateful for the handful who showed their concerns for us regarding the repulsive comments, but I am not asking for sympathy. I am asking for everyone to think about the impact this unwelcoming online environment has on our youth wanting success, respect and acceptance. Isn't that what we all want? I am asking for everyone to think about girls who are looking at this public reaction who might now be discouraged to pursue an authentic place in a male-dominated industry. I am asking you to think about boys who internalize messages that vulnerability, sensitivity and standing up for gender equality means they are a pussy. This is for boys and girls, parents and children, straights and gays, because social rejection affects ALL of us. And if you think I am bringing up societal problems of the past or blowing this out of proportion, then you are living in a fantasy world where sexism, discrimination and homophobia don't exist. I ask that you step outside your little bubble -- or do your research -- and understand that a huge portion of our youth's depression, self-destructiveness and cognitive behavioral disorders are a result of societal rejection and shaming that occurs on the internet.

Both genders suffer inequalities and neither is more important to me than the other, but what I am most knowledgeable about is my first-hand experience of how I am talked about as a woman in the media. I do think it's worth mentioning that Kris was often overshadowed due to the presence of two females. Despite our efforts to give him more spotlight, Kris checked out. We couldn't continue forcing his presence in Krewella, as his decision to disassociate himself from the group and self-admitted addiction became out of our control, and I believe this happened because he subconsciously internalized this lack of attention from fans. However, there seemed to be heightened support for Kris after the lawsuit was filed. The disturbing part is that the growth in praise and attention we always wanted for Kris came with the demonization of Yasmine and me. Kris' lawsuit rallied up thousands of fans to show an immense amount of support for him by sharing their mistrust of women and blatant derogatory assumptions about women (i.e.: "the girls didn't do anything except use their sex to sell the group"…"this is why you should never go into business with a woman"…"they are just puppets for the genius who did all the work"). We were told to burn in hell and suck Kris' dick. It is quite a shame that Kris was guided by his female legal counsel -- Dina LaPolt was quoted saying we "didn't know what was a middle C on the keyboard … the only notes they know are bank notes" -- to choose to falsify claims that completely stripped Yasmine and me of our hard work and musical contributions to the group.

But beyond how this affected me personally, these accusations actually facilitated the spread of negativity toward women in this industry and across the globe.

It's almost as if being the female in the group, it's assumed that you are purely there as a puppet and completely void of any musical abilities, creativity, or vision. My analysis of the public reaction is a wakeup call that there is still a stigma associated with being a woman: that I am a conspiring and manipulative free-loader who doesn't work as hard or is as talented as a man- and that I use sex to advance my career. The pressure not to confirm stereotypes can affect a women's performance and her ability to succeed. The fear of being doubted, questioned and shamed, and battling derogatory assumptions about one's character, is a contingency that may very well be the reason we don't see more women with higher, powerful positions in the workforce. And just because there are movies and TV shows with female judges and CEOs doesn't mean it's a reflection of reality. We may have evolved as a society in terms of gender rights, and laws and displaying powerful representations of women in the media compared to decades ago, but this doesn't mean that attitudes toward gender equality are being practiced in everyday life.

The hardest part about being at the center of a media debacle is knowing how it indirectly shapes the hopes and dreams of our society's boys and girls. If the future leaders of our world are spending 30-plus hours a week online, then let's make sure it's a place that breeds peace, love, unity and respect for one another (or is everyone too cool for PLUR now?). Is sexism, homophobia and discrimination a stale argument? It seems that because we've made progress in implementing gender-equality laws over the decades, people think our work is over and done. But depression and suicide rates are rising on a dangerous trajectory, and the rejection people experience from their community is a huge contributing factor. I call that a fucking crisis. The first step to changing this statistic takes place right at our fingertips, with the words we type.
Is the message in your text box aligned with your future aspirations in life, like being a father, mother, lawyer, politician, actor, musician, activist or whatever your dream is? Please question your motives and the effects of anything you post. Impulses are unforgiving, and your words are powerful. We are blessed to be granted freedom of speech in the United States. That being said, we will continue to see influentials on the Internet who abuse that freedom and partake in bullying, malicious snark and the spread of rumors. It's in YOUR hands to decide what kind of behavior to absorb, reject or protest against.

[Baruch]

Sex is one thing most people share an interest in.  Particularly young people, particularly in music.  How could the music industry not be sexist.  Been sexist and controversial since Saffo of Lesbos.  Today's crooners will be lucky if their lyrics are remembered 2600 years in the future!

[FaithIsFilth]

They chose to become famous. If you're not getting a lot of hate as an artist, then your're doing something wrong. They need to put on their big boy (or in this case, big girl) pants and deal with it, or get the hell out of the spotlight if they can't take the heat.

You can advocate for things like equality between the sexes and trans rights and etc. without being a SJW cuck. Look at Miley Cyrus. She does great work raising awareness for the trans community, but she doesn't feel that being a SJW cuck is necessary to raise that awareness, and she's right. She is probably called slut more than anyone else, and how does she respond? With a crybaby victim complex? No. She calls herself a slut, and says that all of her fans are sluts too. That's the right attitude imo. You can get shit done and influence positive change without being a sensitive pussy or encouraging the next generation to be a bunch of super sensitive pussies.

[FaithIsFilth]

If the future leaders of our world are spending 30-plus hours a week online, then let's make sure it's a place that breeds peace, love, unity and respect for one another (or is everyone too cool for PLUR now?).

No. Hell no. That's a world I don't want to live in. The only way you achieve this is by censorship. She didn't say "Let's hope" for such a world. She said "Let's make sure". Attitudes like hers are cancerous.

[Shiranu]

The only way you achieve this is by censorship. She didn't say "Let's hope" for such a world. She said "Let's make sure". Attitudes like hers are cancerous.

The first step to changing this statistic takes place right at our fingertips, with the words we type.

Is the message in your text box aligned with your future aspirations in life, like being a father, mother, lawyer, politician, actor, musician, activist or whatever your dream is? Please question your motives and the effects of anything you post.

They chose to become famous. If you're not getting a lot of hate as an artist, then your're doing something wrong. They need to put on their big boy (or in this case, big girl) pants and deal with it, or get the hell out of the spotlight if they can't take the heat.

Oh. That makes it okay then.

:roll:

Also; they still put out music. It's not like their lives have come to a stand still because they are in their bathroom crying themselves to sleep each night. But apparently if you are famous you cannot have an opinion...

You can advocate for things like equality between the sexes and trans rights and etc. without being a SJW cuck.

So saying that people should have some class and respect is bad and being a "SJW cuck"... that is not overly surprising to hear someone who actually buys into the "SJW threat" saying.

Starting to think people who cry about SJW were maybe just not raised with any manners...class...or respect and just get easily offended that people expect them to exhibit any of these.

[FaithIsFilth]

I do have class, but if someone has a goal that can only be achieved through mass censorship, then yes, that person is a cuck and they deserve zero respect and nothing but ridicule.

She didn't say that people should have some class, she said let's "make sure" they show some class. Now either she's advocating for mass censorship (which I thought you were against, but maybe I'm mistaken? I'm surprised you made this thread because I thought you were against such a thing), or she thinks that such a thing can be achieved without censorship, in which case she has no understanding of human beings and is living in unicorn land. I'm all for parents being more involved with their children and teaching them to have class and to not be a bigot. I'm all for schools teaching children that bullying is bad, and that gay and trans people should be treated just like anyone else. I'm all for people raising awareness about inequality, homophobia, transphobia, etc, but when people start advocating for mass censorship to protect feelings, or tell me that this sensitive younger generation is not sensitive enough even though they are big fans of mass censorship due to being a bunch of grown infants, and that the next generation needs to be even more in tune with their feelings and sensitivity rather than teaching them to grow a thick skin so they're able to deal with what is thrown at them by life, then no, I'm not going along with that.

[Nonsensei]

This sickens me, because the way we participate in Internet dialogue mirrors our attitude as a society.

Premise rejected.

This is the same utter bullshit logic that suggests that video game violence is related to real life violence or that sexual objectification in games makes men objectify women in real life.

[Shiranu]

So now we are comparing media and art, an inanimate and unresponsive wall, to words we directly sending to one another, to other humans in conversation...

Bloody hell, the straws people have to graspfor. Saying conversation is the same as media...

Why then do you take anything on the internet seriously... and I mean that literally, since any message conveyed apparently has no real world implication.

She didn't say that people should have some class, she said let's "make sure" they show some class.

No, for the third time she said "we" should show some class and respect and offered a suggestion on how to do so... no suggestion of controlling anyone else.

You know, on some of these I will grant y'all there are two sides of the coin to see, but if there is one here... Y'all are distracted by the imaginary dabloon in your imagination or that ever illusive boogieman that is always out to get you but oddly enough has never actually done anything...

[FaithIsFilth]

Maybe I'm taking her words too literally when she says "let's make sure it's a place that breeds peace, love, unity, and respect", but even you have to admit that without mass censorship in mind, that's not something that would ever be close to possible. It's like a politician saying "We must end terrorism." It's just a really dumb thing to say. It's like saying we must cure the world of assholes. That is never going to happen. You are always going to have billions of assholes on the planet. So if she didn't actually mean "let's make sure" in a literal sense, then I take back some of what I posted.

[Shiranu]

Maybe I'm taking her words too literally when she says "let's make sure it's a place that breeds peace, love, unity, and respect", but even you have to admit that without mass censorship in mind, that's not something that would ever be close to possible.

You're really not taking it literally, since she goes on to say it's all through self-control and thoughtfulness. And there is nothing impossible about doing what we can to make the world a little bit nicer of place.

[FaithIsFilth]

You're really not taking it literally, since she goes on to say it's all through self-control and thoughtfulness. And there is nothing impossible about doing what we can to make the world a little bit nicer of place.

When the world becomes a little bit nicer, it will still be pretty bad, and an uncensored internet will not be a place that breeds peace, love, unity, and respect. Assholes will always exist in abundance.

You asked me if it was ok that they called her a whore. Yes, it is very much so ok. It may not be nice, but it is ok. What's not ok is threats of violence and things like that. See, when you post "does that make it ok?", if I hadn't known your post history I might think you were in favour of censorship by basically saying that it's not ok to post messages like that on a music video or an internet forum. To me, there is a big difference between something being ok and not nice. You may not be in favour of censorship yourself, but plenty of the younger generation are in favour of it. Openly in favour of it.

[Nonsensei]

So now we are comparing media and art, an inanimate and unresponsive wall, to words we directly sending to one another, to other humans in conversation...

Bloody hell, the straws people have to graspfor. Saying conversation is the same as media...

Why then do you take anything on the internet seriously... and I mean that literally, since any message conveyed apparently has no real world implication.

I take my bank statement and the news I see on the internet seriously. Everything else is for my entertainment. Even when you see me getting emotional about a topic, I am only participating in that discussion for my own satisfaction and not ever because I think it's really fucking important and will shape my personality or some shit.

The long established reality is that nobody is in real life who they are on the Internet. Our internet attitudes do not necessarily represent our real life attitudes, demeanor or even stated opinions.

But that doesn't ever stop people from wishing with all their heart that the internet really did mirror real life attitudes. This is especially true of people who get offended on the Internet. When they whine about it they get tired of people dismissing their complaints because the offense happened on the Internet and nobody fuckin cares about that. In order to make people care about their bruised feelings they need to link attitudes online closely to real life attitudes so they can say "see? It's real now!" It's bullshit, but they don't care as long as it means they get taken seriously.

That, by the way, is where this links with video game violence and sexism causing real life violence and sexism: all three are attempts to lend legitimacy to an otherwise easily dismissed premise so that the one asserting it can gain notoriety and legitimacy.

[FaithIsFilth]

Just ran across this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlM2iyCf2uo

Forty percent of millennials are in favour of banning offensive speech. That is a HUGE number, and I think this proves that my concerns are absolutely warranted.

[Baruch]

Milennials are more likely to be Cultural Marxists, when they aren't Skin Heads ;-)

[FaithIsFilth]

Yeah, it's just unbelievable how you have people here freaking out over a Confederate flag, a piece of cloth, while at the same time claiming that there's nothing to be concerned about when almost half of millennials don't like free speech. As far as I'm concerned, those 40 percent of millennials are enemy number 1, besides the politicians and their donors of course. To me, these 40 percent are a much bigger threat than any racist, homophobe, your average Republican, Christians, Muslims, sexists, people who use naughty words on the Internet, etc.