A five-year-old reviews Erykah Badu’s “Window Seat” video

Written by Love Isn’t Enough guest contributor Super Hussy; originally posted at SuperHussy

After viewing the web release of Erykah Badu’s video for the song “Window Seat”, I wanted to sit down and write something an write something amazingly poignant, but could not. It was something I had to sit with for a bit, as the video and song directly addresses some things I am working with/on right now…freedom, self-love, authenticity, appropriation, etc. and prompted a visceral reaction, including tears. Besides, after reading this piece, this piece, and this piece, I no longer felt the need to say much of anything, that is until I begin reading my Twitter timeline.

Folks were tweeting and re-tweeting everything from comments about Badu’s posterior, to her co-opting a Matt and Kim video (who, by the way, she says the piece is inspired by and white folks naked bodies on public display have a whole different meaning than a black woman who shows her with intent and a message.)

What inspired this post was a tweet I read that went something like “how would you feel if her cooch was in your child’s face for art sake” or something close to that. So I sat down with my “assistant” TH, clicked on the ankh, watched and asked questions as we went along.

SH: What do you think of this?

TH: I like the music. Is it jazz? I like jazz.

SH: There are parts of it that have jazz.

TH: She was driving a big car.

SH: I know. What do you think of her, the lady walking?

TH: I think she is pretty. She is beautiful, perfect.

SH: Why do you think that?

TH: She just is. It’s sunny in the movie. It’s raining outside.

SH: Yes, I know it’s raining. What is she doing now?

TH: She’s walking down the street. Is that her singing?

SH: Yes, that is her singing.

TH: I like her voice. It is like mine.

SH: OK, yeah. She does have a nice voice. What’s happening now.

TH: She’s taking off er clothes. It’s probably hot.

SH: Hmm, well what do you think about that?

TH: I like it when it’s hot.

SH: What do you think about her taking off her clothes?

TH: It’s OK. Sometimes you need to take off your clothes. I like to take my clothes off.

SH: You do? How does it make you feel?

TH: I feel free. I like being naked.

SH: How do you think she feels?

TH: She feels naked and cool and free.

SH: But she is naked outside.

TH: That’s OK. It’s just her body. I have a body. Daddy has a body. You have a body and boobies.

SH: Yes, we all have bodies and mommy has boobies.

TH: That’s why it is OK. We all have one. We are all peoples (not a typo, she said “peoples”).

SH: Yes, we are all people.

TH: Mommy, she has boobies too.

SH: Yes, Erykah Badu has boobies too. So it is OK to show your boobies outside?

TH: Yes, but only if you want to because they are yours. Oh mommy, she fell down!

SH: Yes she did. She was shot.

TH: Why?

SH: Why do you think?

TH: Because she was naked and cool and free?

SH: Maybe.

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Trackbacks & Pings

Erykah’s Windowseat From A Five-Year-Old’s Perspective « Kloncke on 08 Apr 2010 at 2:48 pm

[...] This little girl gets deep with it. [...]
Whose Bandwagon is it anyway? « thatsexactlywhatiwasthinking on 09 Apr 2010 at 6:32 pm

[...] A five-year-old reviews Erykah Badu’s “Window Seat” video [...]
Quick Shots: Things to Think About Edition « Yeah, That Needs to Go on 09 Apr 2010 at 9:33 pm

[...] A Five Year-Old Reviews Erykah Badu’s “Window Seat” (Love Isn’t Enough) Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Strike 2 Mr. SteeleMinority By ChoiceThe hobby of writing about race issues [...]
A 5 year old Reviews Erykah Badu’s “Window Seat” video « The Jasmine Brand on 10 Apr 2010 at 7:19 am

[...] For the full article. [...]
Happy Monday: A five-year-old reviews “Window Seat” « Equal Writes on 12 Apr 2010 at 10:26 am

[...] In the midst of all of this, Cara of Feministe posted a link to the loveliest response to the video I’ve seen – and yes, it’s from a 5-year-old. I promise, it will [...]
A Thursday Interruption: thecocknbullkid, more on Badu’s “Window Seat,” and some thoughts on Rihanna’s “Rude Boy.” Also: an octopus. | The Hathor Legacy on 29 Apr 2010 at 7:23 am

[...] TH: …Oh mommy, she fell down! [...]

Comments

sejw wrote:

Wow. Just…wow.

She was shot because she was naked and cool and free. There it is, all in a nutshell. How very true of so many pe0ple.

Thanks for doing this.

Posted 05 Apr 2010 at 12:13 pm ¶
ZooPath wrote:

amazing kid.

Posted 05 Apr 2010 at 1:42 pm ¶
FireWife wrote:

Those last few lines… wow.

Sometimes I wish we all could live & think & be as free as children.

Out of the mouths of babes…

Posted 05 Apr 2010 at 2:41 pm ¶
mk wrote:

what firewife said – thank you so much for sharing that dialogue

mk

Posted 05 Apr 2010 at 5:33 pm ¶
Michelle wrote:

Breathtaking, sums it up so well.

Posted 05 Apr 2010 at 6:47 pm ¶
MM wrote:

Seriously, a 5 year old gets it and adults are going to argue about it….go figure.

Posted 05 Apr 2010 at 11:20 pm ¶
SliversOfShe wrote:

The last line made me more sad about the whole charges ordeal. I think she knew what she was getting into and that she felt it was important to make the statement she made. The fact that the whole character assassination is becoming true after the video release makes it that much more powerful. But to hear it summed up from the mouth of a 5 year old (an extraordinarily insightful 5 year old, but a 5 year old nonetheless) is yet another confirmation of the message. Thank you for posting this!

Posted 05 Apr 2010 at 11:32 pm ¶
Janine deManda wrote:

That just made me cry. Thank you for sharing.

Posted 06 Apr 2010 at 12:47 am ¶
Gypsi J wrote:

I teach my children to never be afraid or ashamed of their body or think of certain body parts as “gross”. If you are mortal and reading this, you have a “body” too, in some shape or form. I think we should embrace what we are, and who we are. Because sex is so taboo in this puritanical society and most of all of us only experience the naked human body in sexual scenarios, we consider it’s naked form as offensive…and mere fabric as something to rebel against- to feel, “free”. Since sex and the naked body have been so taboo for so long in our society, we rebel like teenagers and are now obsessed with sex and nakedness. Obsessed with either exploiting it, denying it, crucifying it, selling it, etc. Acknowledgment, acceptance and love of our naked selves and who we are as human beings would quell any discussion on the morality of a woman who decided to walk down the street taking her clothes off, because no one would care. The new discussion would be, why did she bother putting all that stuff on when she knew it was gonna be hot outside??

Posted 06 Apr 2010 at 2:25 pm ¶
Laura wrote:

I watched this video with my 5 year old daughters. My one daughter’s comment at the end, “Momma, someone needs to pick her up and hold her”.

They also noticed the man that was collecting her clothes and seemed like he was going to give them back to her.

…if we could see through a child’s eyes…

Posted 06 Apr 2010 at 7:07 pm ¶
Kelly wrote:

My kids (6 and watched the video with me too and enjoyed it.

Thank you for posting your interview with TH. Wonderful stuff.

Posted 06 Apr 2010 at 9:05 pm ¶
Rosa wrote:

Wow, that’s beautiful.

I love this video, and the whole “what if there were children there?” thing is so off-base, I’m glad to have a counter to point people to.

Posted 07 Apr 2010 at 12:23 pm ¶
Tanya Cain wrote:

If only more of us could view the world through the lenses of innocence children. The world would be a much happier and peaceful place. Thank you for sharing the conversation- It brought about a little balance to all of the negativity surrounding the incident.

Posted 07 Apr 2010 at 5:51 pm ¶
Monifa wrote:

That is powerful. Naked and cool and free. I love it.

Posted 07 Apr 2010 at 8:23 pm ¶
Brenda wrote:

wow.. very well said.

Posted 07 Apr 2010 at 8:30 pm ¶
Soul Jones wrote:

Now imagine you could actually take the child to Dallas … your walking to the bus stop and a naked woman walks past … then just as your kid begins to unwrap their snickers bar the lady suddenly arches her back, lets her head tilt upwards with her eyes shut and her body collapses under her, to the cold sidewalk, falling as if she has endured a moment of pain. And then she doesnt get up. no music, no jazz. she’s just lying there motionless.

Not sure if i would want my daughter to see that from 2 yards away.

As a bonus now imagine the whole video but if Questlove did it.

i think this blog is great, your approach to the subject is brilliant and its a really creative idea … but with respect – I cant agree.

SJ

Posted 07 Apr 2010 at 8:57 pm ¶
Brn Skn wrote:

Love this…the innocence of a child’s message. Let the media take that on for size.

Posted 07 Apr 2010 at 9:52 pm ¶
firefly wrote:

Beautiful. Thank you both.

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 1:29 am ¶
josefina wrote:

amazing post.

not that i’m one to judge people on how they raise their kids, but i think you must be doing something right. props.

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 1:32 am ¶
M Davis wrote:

Astounded as to how children are the epitome of Truth, Honesty and REALITY!

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 1:32 am ¶
Tania wrote:

See – I posted on a message-board that I belong to that kids would be FINE seeing this video and that the kids that were there were probably curious but fine because they wouldn’t view her with the hang ups that an adult would. Kids take their cues from the adults around them, so if the adults don’t freak out, neither will the kids. That’s awesome and your child is clearly very intelligent. Bravo!

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 1:37 am ¶
Nadienne wrote:

After spending many years being around, and working with kids… I am still amazed– dumbfounded, even– by their simplistic genius. It’s as if we reach the peak of our innocence, our pure ignorance… that state of bliss where we know enough and it’s enough… at the age of 5. I never tire of listening to children speak sometimes (sometimes, it’s just silly gibberish).

This review reminds me of this: http://axecop.com/index.php/acepisodes/read/episode_0/ it’s written by a 6 year old, and illustrated by his 29 year old brother. It doesn’t get any purer than that!

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 1:39 am ¶
Alicia wrote:

The thing about kids is that they only go with what they see and initially feel. Fortunately for them, those feelings aren’t primed or jaded by the values and norms that life’s lessons teach us as we grow older. I love that they can understand something simply without analyzing and dissecting it; without offering judgement. Something about that is so pure and untainted. I envy it.

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 1:39 am ¶
Romney wrote:

Thank you for sharing this with us. Amazing. All I can say is wow!!

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 1:40 am ¶
Renee J. wrote:

omg….so cute….so lovely…it made me so emotional reading this.

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 1:42 am ¶
Fallon wrote:

I think this was a chance for people to see how life is not to be taken too seriously, but for what it is……(The Truth)!

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 1:45 am ¶
trease wrote:

WOW THAT IS AN EYE OPENER…CHILDREN DONT HAVE MANY JUDGMENTAL OR SOCIETY BOUNDERs LOCKED INTO THR MINDS SO ITS EASIER 4 THEM TO MAKE STATEMENTS…BT DNT UNDER ESTIMATE WHAT THEY SAY…Because they truly know what THEY are talking about…GREAT POST!!!

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 1:50 am ¶
La Reine wrote:

Kids truly do say ‘the darndest things’.
Such wisdom out of innocence.

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 1:52 am ¶
@NeoNegritude wrote:

The reporter was awful. But aside from that, its amazing how the last couple words from a 5 year old can completely change your perception of WHY WAS SHE SHOT???
But other than that I AM VERY INTERESTED IN THE BACKGROUND OF THE CHILD…I feel like that’s important to the his minds perception of nakedness

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 2:06 am ¶
HectorJ wrote:

From the Mouths of Babes… this made my heart smile (fa real fa real), Thanks!

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 2:11 am ¶
Dawn-Elissa Fischer wrote:

Thank you for posting! TH’s analysis is beautiful and brilliant!!

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 2:26 am ¶
Michelle S wrote:

WOW! I feel like an ass. I have grown to be such a prude! 5 to 10 years ago, I would have had no problem with this video. My views haven’t completely changed, but I do have a different and objective prospective. THANKS!

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 2:37 am ¶
jaRika jefferson wrote:

That is an untainted heart and mind speaking @ a pure state…NAKED COOL & FREE… cool : comfortable in your state of being. Naked : without. free: NO fear…as an adult human, we know that this would be a somewhat BLISSFUL state … YOU will have unclouded judgement(childlike), as the amazing(because we don’t see this often) … a “WINDOW SEAT” meaning to have a
“bird’s eYe” view of what life really has going on…Noticeable behavior, elicts noticeable views, as long as you dont make NOTICE of what you notice from your bird’s eYe view…they won’t assassinate you…for being COOL, NAKED, & FREE …when YOU reach this point YOU think INDIVIDUALLY …no box…(in mid Air)…KNOW GROUP THINK : KNOW FEAR….NO GROUP THINK : NO FEAR…i’m just saying… I woke-up, so SHiTranzFormZ…

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 2:47 am ¶
nikamarie wrote:

I enjoyed reading this post! Thanks for sharing and letting us read pure thoughts

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 2:55 am ¶
Oda wrote:

wow….every1 trippin bout tha vid and here, kidz think itz normal…what has society come to!

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 3:16 am ¶
Mark Watson wrote:

The fact that a five year old can comprenhend and summarize the message amazes me. Watching this video so many thoughts ran through my mind and I couldn’t find words to explain this feeling but I think TH summed them up well, “Because she was naked and cool and free?”

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 4:03 am ¶
Nit Ra Sit wrote:

That was so beautiful! writing through teary eyes. I just want to grow up to be as naked (transparent in my actions) cool and free as this child. Thank you so much for this cleansing cry this morning. I will keep her mind set alive in me..

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 4:53 am ¶
dee wrote:

We can never be that free because of fear..we as adults are scared once removed you are free,but now you are a threat.

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 4:59 am ¶
TajHollywood wrote:

Beautiful!!!

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 5:13 am ¶
miaalien wrote:

=] best interview. best perception.children understanding =] …& there’s hope.

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 5:15 am ¶
Kyli wrote:

I am confused is “Super Hussy” the five year old??? not normal….why is a five year old on a community board talking to STRANGERS… I am not being a crazy over protective adult ,but really??? Personally, I like Erykah Badu’s video, the video is on point! The hypocrisy of this nation, she made a point and I got it. The plaza was the site of a cover up it changed this nation inside out. All the underlining of what happen that day and the changing of hands of this nation. Erykah gets it, big time! Her video was raw, real, no stupid outfits, no pretentious bullshit that we have gotten from all the so called “artist” out right now, aka lady caca & beyonce. Erykahs spectacle makes a point and the rest are out there for a different sort of show….

[Editor's note: SuperHussy is the blog where this originally appeared. The owner, who wrote the post and conducted the conversation, is an adult.]

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 5:45 am ¶
Monk wrote:

I wonder if a male did the same type of video with the same message would a child view it the same way?

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 8:44 am ¶
Amina Ann Lyons wrote:

In the eyes of a innocent child the truth shall reveal itself no matter how much you cover.

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 8:47 am ¶
Amina Ann Lyons wrote:

This is a thought provoking writing thank you for sharing this with us. I did get a chance to view Window Seat, i like the message however i ask would it had been the same for a man in that same respect. Just curious..

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 8:49 am ¶
Anonymous wrote:

I love it….it shows the true sincerity in which this video was shot…

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 8:50 am ¶
Syretta Lee wrote:

Lately, I have found myself in heavy debates defending Erykah. I became very emotional after reading this article. A child’s mind is so innocent and pure. It was truly a wonderful concept.

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 8:58 am ¶
Monique wrote:

Children are always honest and pure in thought. It is a shame that age changes this to a point where people’s logical mind can’t sift through the muck to find meaning.

This child just made my day.

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 9:12 am ¶
Jaila wrote:

Thank you for sharing this. After I read this I had my almost 10 yr old watch to get her opinion. She was so guarded with her responses (innocence lost already perhaps). One thing that stood out to me was she ask “why did she fall?” I answered: because she was shot. When i asked my daughter why she thought she was shot, after a bit of contemplation her words were “because public nudity is against the law?”

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 9:48 am ¶
Anonymous wrote:

Beautiful, Just Beautiful, out of the mouths of babes, now if only the whole world thought like 5 years olds we would be a lot more care free and open minded!

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 10:01 am ¶
Shauna wrote:

Thank you so much for sharing this raw and honest story. You must be an amazing mother to have a child so in tune with their own feelings and beliefs.
ashe.

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 10:34 am ¶
t judith wrote:

Save this for TH and then show her the video when she is age 10 and record he response! Exposure and environment shapes our being more so than upbringing!

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 10:47 am ¶
Paul Revier wrote:

It’s too bad that some people don’t understand or appreciate real art. The message was clear.

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 12:05 pm ¶
Adam wrote:

Beautiful perspective !! The truth hurts as well as true art hurts, it makes us look deeper within ourselves…

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 12:11 pm ¶
Tammie wrote:

She is a smart girl. We need more ppl like her in the world!..my 6yr loves eryka badu!..I guess she has no choice since I’m a HUGE badu fan and when I cook I listen 2 badu..when I clean I listen to badu..yall get the picture!..

Eryka keep sharing and spreading the knowledge..for every hater out there..it more that love what you do and how you express it!..
Thx!

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 12:12 pm ¶
Kutsuwamushi wrote:

Not sure if i would want my daughter to see that from 2 yards away.

Considering that there must have been at least one person there to film it, it would be a good opportunity for parents to talk to their children about acting if the children had no concept of it yet.

“Mommy, is she hurt?”

“No, she’s pretending. She’s making a movie.”

If there was no indication that it was an act, it could be seen as a cruel trick–unfair to children seeing it, but also to adults who would be frightened for the injured woman.

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 12:42 pm ¶
Robin wrote:

Wow. Thank you for sharing. I applaud the parenting that went into nurturing this child’s soul.

To the parents who worry about their little kids seeing it, how would they see it if you didn’t show it to them? Hopefully by the time they’ve gotten old enough to view it on their own, you’ve done your own share of thoughtful parenting and taught them the things this little girl already knows.

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 12:46 pm ¶
Cathy wrote:

Kids are f***ing brilliant!

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 1:16 pm ¶
a Gem wrote:

This was a beautiful interpretation of a child. When we get back to being children we get to see things as they are and not the ugly mess adults make it out to be.

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 1:36 pm ¶
insomniac wrote:

That’s fantastic. Thanks for sharing it here. I think I would like to raise my kids to be like this little one.

I think the US and UK (where I am) share a certain attitude towards nudity – shameful, harmful, damaging. Yet we are surrounded by nude or semi-nude imagery all the time. These are however airbrushed “acceptable” bodies, seen through the lenses of white men in the mainstream media… So why the hoo-haa at nudity by a woman on her own terms, as a political/social statement… is the airbrushed, sexualised crap not so much more damaging?

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 1:55 pm ¶
Rae wrote:

Lovely!!! She’s a star!!!

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 1:56 pm ¶
TOY !!! wrote:

PROFOUND. *happy tears*

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 1:58 pm ¶
Ms. Bar B wrote:

I had Window Seat playing in the background as I read, and you know what? This just totally made my day =). Thanks to you and your amazingly aware little princess!

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 2:06 pm ¶
Skelii wrote:

this was an amazing dialog. i don’t think anyone can write anything better than what came out of this childs mouth. bravo!

skelii.com

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 2:26 pm ¶
Brazen wrote:

This would not be the first time I’ve seen offended adults use children as an excuse for their feeling violated. (in regard to the E. Badu video)

This little girl has obviously been taught that natural is beautiful… I’m not sure all children would respond that way…but this one is definitely a reflection of her teachers. Awesome work to the “mommy and daddy that have a body.”

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 2:50 pm ¶
dizLTheWize wrote:

Thanks for this great post, gave me the chills reading this

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 3:40 pm ¶
Mitsy wrote:

What kind of irresponsible parent exposes their child to a video that showcases a nude woman besmirching a historical American landmark? There’s no message to this video. It’s all about Eykah Badu being “shocking” and trying to get attention. That’s all. And all of you insane people fell for it, blindly grasping and attempting to find meaning where there is none. What is the world coming to where parents purposely expose their children to nudity? I’m not against children seeing nudity in art, REAL art, not the vestige of some god-awful black militant trying to make a buck off of exploiting sick people like the posters in favor of this insanity.

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 4:02 pm ¶
Fred wrote:

I LOVE the 5 year old’s insight, BUT… if it’s all about being “naked and cool and free” then why, WHY did Miss Badu think it necessary to blur out certain beautiful parts of her beautiful body?!? It almost makes her video self-contradictory, in my humble opinion. Like, here’s my beautiful body, BUT you can’t see certain parts of it because they’re, what, DIRTY?? I just don’t get it.

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 5:57 pm ¶
Fred wrote:

P.S. Sorry for the postscript, but if she felt she had to blur out certain parts of her body, then she’s NOT very free, now, is she?? Sigh.

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 5:59 pm ¶
DLynn wrote:

Simply beautiful. I appreciate you sharing this. Children are our blessings and our teachers.

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 6:51 pm ¶
Kash wrote:

I strive to be like that young girl every day. I seen a few posts ask what if she seen a man in the video doing the same as Erykah Badu, she did mention her “daddy has a body too” I think that answered that question. Children don’t take things too seriously…maybe that is something that we need to keep within our hearts and when we do have the opportunity to raise children (if we don’t have any yet) then we passed that down to them. Erykah did mention that she asked her children about the act that she would commit in her video, both of them cheered her on…and she said that she ultimately took her self less serious… I think that just adds even more confirmation…

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 6:55 pm ¶
Devine187 wrote:

So, I guess most Americans lack the brains of a 5 yr old. It’s amazing how kids just speak the natural truth.

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 7:22 pm ¶
La Shaun phoenix Moo wrote:

Absolutely brilliant. My mouth is still opened!

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 7:25 pm ¶
Barbara wrote:

What an awesome kid … thank you so much for posting this.

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 7:39 pm ¶
Uncle Chip wrote:

Even a 5 year old “gets it”. Clothes were meant to shield us from the elements. Not to shield us from the beauty of ourselves. Or simple truths.

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 7:55 pm ¶
Eddie Blue wrote:

It’s something when the children have to show the adults. We do so much harm when we try to teach children to be ashamed of their bodies or that their bodies (and by extension, themselves) are evil. Thank you so much for posting this.

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 8:37 pm ¶
Lucie wrote:

“Why do you think?”
“Because she was naked and cool and free?”

This made me tear up. What a perceptive kid. Thanks for sharing.

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 10:30 pm ¶
DuJuan wrote:

Truth from the mouths of babes.

Posted 08 Apr 2010 at 11:23 pm ¶
Shantytown Crier wrote:

ex ore parvulorum veritas

Posted 09 Apr 2010 at 1:44 am ¶
ActingDrama wrote:

Erykah rt’d this.

Posted 09 Apr 2010 at 3:58 am ¶
@Peace Robinson wrote:

Giiiirrrrlll! So Powerful! Thank you for sharin! I think you should def send this to EB, I’m sure it will inspire & uplift her! It did for me! Than you!

Posted 09 Apr 2010 at 8:17 am ¶
Selah*Kumani wrote:

That brought tears to my eyes. Beautiful

Posted 09 Apr 2010 at 10:29 am ¶
Jayesh Naithani wrote:

All for the expression communicated in this video, but have mixed feelings about the consideration to prevailing sentiments and public laws when the video was actually taken.

Artistic expression is still possible, while still being considerate of public decency laws. But then perhaps the video may not have the impact it has made today. And maybe the artist felt it needed to have a shocking feeling as well.

For me, it will only enhance the effect of this video if I knew that the artist conciously tried, as much as was possible, to diminish factors that would get in the way of lessenning the impact of the message contained.

Posted 09 Apr 2010 at 1:44 pm ¶
Nakita wrote:

“”naked, cool, and free”.
it goes back to the argument that simplicity can be powerful. kids says whats real, for realz.

Posted 09 Apr 2010 at 2:55 pm ¶
r-dean wrote:

As most have stated, ‘out of the mouths of babes’. They know the truth that ‘as we are made, we are perfect’ [ian kamau] – that us in our natural form is just fine. But we force on them these un-natural strictures of ’society’. We’ve got a lot of un-learning to do!

In the Matt and Kim video, they comment that there were kids on the street as they streaked, and they joked that they probably ’scarred them for life’ – but I have not heard any negative feedback on their ‘display’. Interesting.

Posted 09 Apr 2010 at 3:42 pm ¶
jackie wrote:

I love this.
Also, correct me if I’m wrong, but it could just be burred out for the purposes of viewing sights. I’ve only seen it on Youtube, which wouldn’t allow the video if it showed her fully nude without the blur.

Posted 09 Apr 2010 at 4:53 pm ¶
jackie wrote:

*sites

Posted 09 Apr 2010 at 4:55 pm ¶
Sallome wrote:

I read each and every comment that preceded mine. While most are in agreement, the maybe 5 that weren’t were interesting. At the end of the day I am grateful to E. Badu. Not simply because I can listen to Mama’s Gun straight through on repeat STILL, but because this video and so much that she does requires that we talk – authentically. If we can find our way out of Morality, a chance to be unabashedly afraid to love would be possible. Now… to find the closest nude beach…

Posted 09 Apr 2010 at 7:08 pm ¶
Mary wrote:

“Maybe she was shot because she was naked and cool and free.”
Wow. I think that’s it, right there, isn’t it? And I think I know what kind of mom I want to be…the kind who has *conversations* with her kid about the things she finds challenging in life–like being moved by a beautiful but controversial music video–instead of one who simply complains that people are being naked and artsy around her kid.
Thank you for this.

Posted 09 Apr 2010 at 11:03 pm ¶
A Mother wrote:

WoW. Quite an insightful 6yr old! I wonder if the interview would have transpired the same way if it was a male child. I have a 5 year old son who does not watch music videos, Rated-R movies or anything of the sort but already seems to be somewhat in tune or at least aware of his sexual energy towards women and their bodies…he also occasionally strips and runs around the house naked, streaking…and when asked why he would strip and parade naked in front of people, the answer ‘out of the mouths of babes’ is simple…’You guys were busy doing something else and I just wanted some attention!’

No complex message there…its just for attention. Making the message any more ‘deep, meaningful or complex’ is society’s job.
I, for one, will probably not show my 5 year old son that video but if we happened to be yards away while it was being shot, I don’t think I would flip out either. I would just have A LOT of careful explaining and Q&A’ing to do. Those are always the best and most interesting chances to gain some insight with your children.

Posted 10 Apr 2010 at 6:34 am ¶
Mills wrote:

Wow. The naturally thoughtful inquisitive innocence of a child. No preconceived notions. No embarrassment for the sake of pride.

Posted 10 Apr 2010 at 8:17 am ¶
d. wrote:

what a great contrast to another video i saw on the internet, of the woman that supposedly pressed charges on Erykah, where her 9-year-old daughter said she thought it was gross and inappropriate. i wont even try to link that. thanks for posting this.

Posted 10 Apr 2010 at 12:40 pm ¶
Olskool Ice-Gre wrote:

This is so dope! Kids are the ish or should I say the truth?. Love it!

Posted 10 Apr 2010 at 4:15 pm ¶
Maeve wrote:

About the blurred boobies- I think even though we are not seeing it in the video, the people in the streets that day saw a fully naked woman. I don’t think it makes sense to call her a hypocrite- there were no censors outside! she bared it all in broad daylight.

Posted 10 Apr 2010 at 10:46 pm ¶
Anonymous wrote:

I don’t think nudity is a problem as much as the context. Her stripping did not really equate freedom to me. More like a lack of self control.

If anyone understands the idea of in it’s context, would it also be okay to show people having sex in public as well? It’s natural too…..

Posted 10 Apr 2010 at 10:56 pm ¶
sankofa wrote:

That is simply beautiful. The innocent understand what the seasoned fail to comprehend.

Posted 11 Apr 2010 at 11:32 am ¶
Charlotte wrote:

Wow.

Posted 12 Apr 2010 at 3:55 pm ¶
Adrienne wrote:

“Maybe she was shot because she was naked and cool and free.”

The most profound statement that I have heard related to this video or the comments on this site.

I fell sorry for those that equate nudity to sex, or even sex to negativity.

Posted 13 Apr 2010 at 2:35 pm ¶
Soul Jones wrote:

@55. Kutsuwamushi

After the fact the conversation would have probably gone something like this, Dad says to girl:

“No, no baby don’t get upset … she’s only acting, you see that guy with a camera, no not that one (presuming there’s more than one at a US landmark), the other man, there, him, looking in the opposite direction, spinning.” the girl stares, he continues “yeah he’s filming it then it’ll be on tv – she’s not hurt”

as for your quote:
“it would be a good opportunity for parents to talk to their children about acting if the children had no concept of it yet.”

is that Erykah’s decision? To teach that lesson to kids?

By your reckoning she might as well have surprised kids with it at a school playground – afterall it would be a good opportunity for teachers to talk to children about acting.

Personally i think Janet Jackson promoting her new album at the superbowl challenged groupthink in a more powerful, yet appropriate, manner.

Posted 14 Apr 2010 at 5:49 pm ¶
Anonymous wrote:

Wow. Exactly. “Because she was naked, cool and free.” And we can’t have that, now can we? Thanks for posting. If they’re reading this, hopefully should be a reality check for all of those Group Thinkers out there.

Posted 14 Apr 2010 at 11:18 pm ¶
WowIsRight wrote:

To the editor(s) of this thread, ______________

Good luck!

Posted 15 Apr 2010 at 8:50 pm ¶
Akiane wrote:

To Firewife, we actually can think like that, we just have to stop “thinking” so much, if you get what I mean.

Posted 19 Apr 2010 at 12:50 pm ¶