The ‘bootyLicious’ debate: an IR view
During our reading on the nature of international law according to Shaw (2009, p. 7) we learned that international law cannot solve every problem in the international system. There are different laws aimed at solving various issues from nuclear weapons to the discrimination against women.
The controversial music video by Tati Mangi called ‘bootyLicious’ was used to discuss the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women and its inability to solve the problems associated with discrimination against women.
According to PNG Loop, the Chief Censor Steven Mala said this clip was banned because it was culturally inappropriate. Apart from culture, he also said that it was against our Christian beliefs.
For example, the other statement that Mala made in regards to integrity and decency is in one way or another related to the CEDAW. Article 1 tries to help us understand the meaning of the phrase “Discrimination against women”. This particular article can be interpreted from different perspectives.
Firstly, the producer and the director of the video clip are depicting the sexuality of these young women. Some may see this as discrimination, having a negative sexual connotation on all females in general.
Such a line of thought is clearly highlighted in the Vision 2050. Pillar 6 which talks about spiritual, cultural and community development outlines a strong stance on regulating the production and sale of gender discriminatory songs.
Others may interpret the issue based on the word “restriction” in Article 1. According to the Constitution, Section 32 says that every person has the legal right to do anything so long as what they do does not injure or interfere with the rights and freedom of another.
If this video clip is not injuring or interfering the rights or freedom of another then we are trying to restrict the rights of these women to express themselves in the entertainment industry in order to earn a living.
Some critics will view PNG as a progressive society who is slowly embracing Western culture. They will credit such development as an outcome of globalization or modernization.
This leads us to the juncture where we ponder which culture is more important. The CEDAW in this regard expresses that PNG as a state who has ratified the Convention in 1995 should take steps in modifying or abolishing customs and practices which constitute discrimination against women.
In PNG, the general understanding is that, it is not part of our culture to wear swimming costumes publicly whether you are either male or female. In adherence to the CEDAW should we introduce legislation to abolish such practice so allow citizens to wear whatever they want to wear to public swimming places (beaches and rivers).
On the other hand, analyzing the issue from the framework of human security gives us some very interesting arguments. One can argue from a community security perspective to economic and furthermore personal security point of view.
The Human Development Report of 1994, in particular the section on community security states that; “Traditional languages and cultures are withering under the onslaught of mass media”. Music TV, Channel V, Trace Urban and YouTube are classic examples of mass media.
The Tati Mangi music video is similar to Nelly’s ‘tip drill’ or Akon and David Guetta’s ‘Sexy chick’. Tati Mangi thinks that he can produce and write something similar because other musicians in other democracies are producing and writing similar musical contents.
However, under normal circumstances, women from PNG know that culturally it is not acceptable to walk around and swim in a public swimming place wearing just a bikini bottom. Women feel self conscious of what others will say and react if they decide to wear a bikini.
The same can be said for males as well. Most males will find it hard to wear speedos and walk around or swim in a public swimming place. Dressing up in such a manner will attract unwanted attention from members of the public.
Such cultural mind set provides the context in which Mala is coming from. Although, a minority of the population are changing their mind set due to the influence of mass media and overseas exposure. A large number of the population still feel that it is inappropriate to dress in such a way.
It is hard to categorize the large number of those who see such dressing as inappropriate. We cannot say it is a generational divide because a large number of the population live in the rural areas. Those younger generation in the rural areas will have a different cultural view to those in the urban areas.
To look at the issue from an international relations point of view is very complex. You have a clash of different views from our cultural view to the religious arguments and then to the notion of human rights that features in our constitution. Also the notion of human security provides another moot point.
References
Shaw, M. N. (2009). International Law (6th ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Thank you Mr Yagiora for Sharing! Indeed the footage and the songs really defiled our cultural Identity.
ReplyDeleteIn the video, artist Tati Mangi 'raps' and dances in front of a group of semi-clad young women - something that has drawn the ire of thousands of people online who say the clip is a sign of moral and cultural decay.
ReplyDeleteThe song has taken a back-seat to the provocative video that now has nearly 25 000 views on YouTube.
While Tati Mangi has acknowledged his critics, he says it's his right as a musician to express himself freely.
Amanda Donigi is the editor of PNG's Stella Magazine and a self proclaimed feminist.
While she agrees freedom of expression is important - she questions whether Tati Mangi and his Bootylicious video are contributing to women's progress in PNG.
This is a dangerous message to send to young girls, because if they see a video like this and they have low self-esteem and are not receiving attention from men, they may try and present themselves like some of the girls in the video at an attempt to grab attention from men.
ReplyDeleteTati Mangi himself defended the video and the women in it.
ReplyDelete"These are women who are confident of who they are," he told the local news site PNG Loop.
"They're not afraid to flaunt themselves and not holding back, but stepping into the unknown.
"Adding to that, it's not the first time you've seen a woman in swimwear."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-01/png-rappers-video-clip-highlights-generational-divide/8358446
The best video clip ever produced. The lyrics are speaks for itself and the models did an good job. "Generational Divide" here we come. The next song should be titled "Generational Divide" just to engage more dialogs on this controversial divide.
DeleteGreat job on this analysis...its the first ever synthesize on a controversial issue in PNG...women coming out publicly just a little bit more spicy, put simply - Sexy!
ReplyDeleteGreat job on this analysis...its the first ever synthesize on a controversial issue in PNG...women coming out publicly just a little bit more spicy, put simply - Sexy!
ReplyDelete