Posted by ROCKET SCIENTIST at pcp126744pcs.medfrd01.nj.comcast.net on January 22, 2002 at 16:28:20:
In Reply to: Kevin, your first Arena article -- Britney... posted by Burt Reynolds on January 22, 2002 at 16:05:48:
: I agree with most of what you said in the article, but not the end where you call Brittney harmless. Britney is, whether she likes it or not, a role model to many, many young girls throughout the world. While she may not want to be this role model, the millions and millions of dollars she makes every time she takes the stage to sing or as we have seen, not sing, is a fair pay-off for taking on this role as role model. As a role model to millions throughout the world, Britney should not dress like a whore. All over the world, little girls are trying to replictae what she is wearing and thus she should not be skantily dressed like a whore, b/c the result of this is millions of little girls wanting to go out dressed in little bras and panties, because their favorite entertainer wears just that. I do not think Britney is harmless - I think, as a role model, she is being irresponsible and while I am a fan of yours, and thus not prude myself, I think her dressing that way is inappropriate and irresponsible.
: -M
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Easy easy...so why is Britney a role model? Just because she is popular? Talk about a view askew. That's a non-sequitur argument if I've ever heard one. For the record, Britney has stated that she does NOT view herself as a role model, although she does try to be responsible. For example, she recently agreed to refrain from using wild animals (i.e. tigers) in her stage shows after PETA asked her not to. Wouldn't you agree that something like that would appear to be far more important in defining Britney's character than the costume the design people hand her to wear for stage performances.
I'm not sure why her choice of clothing, especially for a performer, would have a negative impact on her being a role model anyway. You seem to draw a conclusion that somone who "dresses like a whore" (whatever that means), is a bad role model. I think the problem is you judging people by what clothing they wear. When you consider that she is an entertainer, and entertainers pretty much routinely wear flamboyant costumes, I think your argument is actually weird.
Only a woman who grew up playing with Barbie dolls and bought into the whole Malibu Beach House™ thing hook, line, and sinker would say something so superficial....and most likely a woman who is about 13 years old;)
I happen to think Madeline Albright is a bad role model for women because she doesn't take care of her body like Britney Spears.
What do you think about a statement like that?
ROCKET