The National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) has released a statement railing against CBS Grammys’ broadcast, stating it contributed to the sexual exploitation of women by glamorizing prostitution and stripping. following a highly sexualized performance by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion.
The criticized performance showed the two women and backup performers wearing thongs and lingerie, dancing on a stripper pole, and crawling around and twerking on a bed together. Watch below:
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“In a performance that could have been cut from a hardcore pornography film, CBS allowed a glamorization of stripping and prostitution to be broadcast in front of a national audience – a portion of which were children – for no other reason than for TV ratings,” said Dawn Hawkins, senior vice president and executive director of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation.
“Despite the ‘popularity’ of the song performed by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, CBS should have never allowed this kind of explicit performance to happen at the Grammys.
“Prostitution and stripping are never empowering for women, as they set up systems that exploit and oppress women. CBS has contributed to furthering the sexual exploitation of women and contributed to the ‘normalization’ of porn culture.”
Sexual-laden performances have always been a part of the Grammys. Madonna anybody? Britney? One has to wonder, on the same night where Dua Lipa was basically wearing underwear and writhing on the stage, if this is a bit racially motivated on the part of NCOSE’s part.
Where was the outrage to that Dua Lipa? Yes, are the lyrics to WAP way dirtier than Dua Lipa’s Levitating? Of course they are. But this is Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion. Both have made a career of selling sexually-charged music. The same way Madonna did. The same way Britney Spears did. And the same way, yassss Queen, Beyoncé did.
The fact is brown and Black people are always going to look at ourselves through a different magnifying glass than White Society.
Last year’s demonstrations are a perfect example. We say demonstrations. Others say riots. What I saw last night on stage were two strong Black, independent (and popular) female performers doing what they do best. Others wish they hadn’t. But to denigrate their performance and leave others alone is just wrong. Either go all in or shut up.
Colin Costello is the West Coast Editor of Reel 360. Contact him at colin@reel360.com or follow him on Twitter at @colinthewriter1
