Eilish lays it all out clearly, stating “if I wear what is comfortable, I am not a woman. If I shed the layers, I’m a slut” (Eilish, 2020). These lines hit hard, exposing the impossible double standard women are stuck with: damned if we do, damned if we don’t. It’s a clear critique of the patriarchal systems that base women’s value on their appearance. This isn’t just a problem Billie faces. This a problem infused in society and reinforced through everything from Instagram highlights to the way the media obsesses with what celebrities are wearing.
What makes this piece so powerful is the way Eilish directly addresses those that are doing the judging by asking pointed questions. “Do you know me? Really know me?... Would you like me to be smaller, weaker, softer?... Do my shoulders provoke you? Does my chest?... The body I was born with, is it not what you wanted?” (Eilish, 2020). SHe forces listeners to confront their own complicity and place in this system. Take a listen. It may make you uncomfortable, but that’s the point. That’s what feminist perspectives are all about: “[focusing] on the taken-for-granted as "normal" roles and rules for men and women in society” (Sellnow, 2010, p. 139) and asking why they exist in the first place.
Eilish’s message in this song aligns perfectly with radical feminist perspectives, “[revealing] how objectifying hegemonic beliefs and behaviors based on sex, gender, or sexual orientation are reinforced or challenged in some way” (Sellnow, 2010, p. 145). The patriarchal system we live in didn’t just happen by accident–it’s reinforced every time we reduce a woman’s worth to her looks or judge her for stepping outside of the box. Not my Responsibility is EIlish’s way of saying “Enough.”
At its core, this song asks an important question: why do we let other people define our value? It’s a question worth answering, whether you’re the one doing the judging, being judged, or both. Eilish doesn’t offer the answer, but she does start the conversation. Maybe the first step toward breaking free from expectations is asking, “Is my value based only on your perception? Or is your opinion of me not my responsibility?” (Eilish, 2020).
References:
Eilish, B. (2020). Not my responsibility [Song]. On Happier Than Ever. Darkroom/Interscope Records.
Sellnow, D. (2010). The rhetorical power of popular culture: Considering mediated texts. (pp. 139-168). Sage.
Meg, thanks for sharing that. I'd never heard the song/mologue before now. It does have a powerful message. Thanks for bringing in to my attention. You did a great way of blending our readings with it. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHey Meg, I really like the question you ask because it is something that everyone struggles with. Especially with social media, people have become susceptible to the opinion of their followers or trying to have a similar life style to those who post only the good times. Music is a great way to bring awareness to this question and topic as a whole, particularly when it comes from start musicians like Billie Eilish. Even though they may face backlash, these are the types of songs that can help bring awareness to issues in society.
ReplyDeleteI remember when this came out and I remember when she played the video for a live audience for the first time. You linked the lyric video, which is great, but I am referring to the short film version she released. As the audience watched, they only reacted to the visuals. They erupted with each layer she took off and each inch of skin she showed, completely missing the point. It perfectly exemplifies the complicity you talked about. It is disheartening to see how even her own supporters are that blind to it, but I think she is an essential role model for people falling victim to the society we are in today.
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