I need help writing this article about Katy Perry's Ur So Gay...

[AKateisaKate]

I need help writing this article about Katy Perry's "Ur So Gay"...

 

We talked a little bit about this in that other thread last night. The Skinny one. And I fully, whole heartedly agree the word "gay" shouldn't be used as a derogatory adjective.

 

After listening to her music, and that whole Out.com interview together, you comprehensively "get it" in the article. It's not meant negatively at all.

 

But this is a high school newspaper, and our administration has recently become more and more imposing on limiting the paper each month. Plus, coming out is a sensitive subject in high school. We also have a Gay Straight Alliance, and I don't want to offend them, especially.

 

The thing is, I'm not trying to. I need help explaining myself on this.

 

But I like this article, and I'm a fan of her (but I know my writing is not at its best here- ) I'm just trying to work around satisfying the dilemma.

 

Can anyone help a sista out, please? Any advice? Just read the article first, then try to evaluate. I'll post the Out.com interview link after I get some response. Most of you probably have read it already.

 

I left some parts a bit awkward because I was moving stuff around trying to clear it up... so ignore the choppiness. And it's not my best writing because of that.

 

Katy Perry released her first EP last November. Her overall energy on the four-track release offers a spunky and refreshing, yet slightly demure presence.

 

Its title-track, “Ur So Gay” is an imagery pool of girlfriend vengeance. Perry sings, “I hope you hang yourself with your H&M scarf… wishing you were in the rain reading Hemmingway. You don’t eat meat and drive electrical cars, you’re so Indie Rock it’s almost an art. You need SPF 45 just to stay alive.”

 

Of course, Katy explains that her boyfriend wasn’t actually gay. Filled with gay stereotypes, Katy is clear on where the controversy of her song stands. She says, “I think they’ll get it and embrace it. It’s an anthem for power of the people… anybody who’s been broken up with that wants to get over a guy… The song is just my emotionalizing about my ex. There’s no negative connotation. I always have a great sense of humor in life and in my songs. I think when people hear it, they’re empowered by it.” In that same interview with Out.com, Katy further explains that her songs aren’t about the politics of her ideas. “Ur So Gay,” is a moody piece that takes flight with its ease, limber attitude, and Katy’s bluesy delivery.

 

The EP also includes “Lost,” a light ballad with a direct voice. Its motion is blissful, transient, and illusory. Exercising the use of imagery once again, Katy writes, “Party favors on the floor, group of girls banging on the door.” Although she faintly and rather sparingly uses visions like these in “Lost,” (as opposed to “Ur So Gay”) its power stands in its simple concept.

 

“Use Your Love” is where Katy’s musical aggressiveness is most present. It’s an edgy pop track with heavy guitars. It demands attention in its “party hard” energy that Katy creates.

 

Overall, Ur So Gay is a very creative release that’s highly stimulating for its listeners. It includes these three songs, plus a remix of “Ur So Gay.” The EP is currently available on Itunes for $2.49.

 

constructive criticism, please? Thank you!

[AKateisaKate]

Please.

 

Should I not publish it? Put a disclaimer at the top? Fix it somehow?

[JackViolet]

You should just note that she isn't using "you're so gay" as an insult in the sense of equating gay with "stupid," because she preserves and highlights the other meaning of gay by singing "and you don't even like boys." The use of "gay" as a pejorative only becomes problematic when its primary meaning gets dropped, and all is left is an insult, and she never lets it become that. In mocking her ex-boyfriend for being "so gay," she's not mocking him for actually being gay, since he is not, but rather mocking him for being a poser--he surrounds himself with all these archetypes and yet there is nothing there at center; he's pretentious without having any core to him. His adoption of gay stereotypes is just one instance of his being a wannabe without being real, with other instances also cited: such as wishing he could be a romantic figure in the rain reading Hemingway, but not actually doing it, or deliberately trying to be misunderstood because he covets the position of the exiled artist-loner.

 

--Jack

[AKateisaKate]

Thank you, Jack. That makes a lot of sense, I think I'm going to try to work it in. The principal will probably pull it anyway but I hope not. He's pulled a lot of extremely mild opinions pieces on biased manners. he's also very controlling and crosses the line oftentimes, but hey. I don't want to give up on this if I don't have to. So thank you.