Russell Brand accused of ‘mansplaining feminism’ over response to Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion WAP video
Russell Brand #RussellBrand
Russell Brand has been accused of “mansplaining feminism” after questioning whether Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s new WAP music video is a “feminist masterpiece or porn”.
The comedian and actor, 45, used his YouTube platform to discuss whether the “values” and “objectification” in the song and video progress equality between men and women.
In a lengthy post, Brand pondered whether the video fed into “male hip hop tropes about the potency of male sexuality”.
He said: “If male hip hop tropes are about the potency of male sexuality… and then the female video is a sort of celebration of sexual potency… it’s an emulation of a template that already exists and is established by males.
The WAP video and song with Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion (Atlantic Records)
“Is it equality if it has been established by the former dominator? The answer is no.”
Brand said he believed that women celebrating their bodies came from the “same ideals” of a male-dominated world.
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“I wouldn’t be so reductive and simplistic to say that women celebrating their bodies using an aesthetic that’s conventionally been associated with the male gaze means it’s impossible that these tools could be used as a vehicle for liberation,” he said.
“But I am saying that in a sense it’s still the same metric, it’s still the same aesthetic, it’s still the same values, it’s still the same ideals. It’s still ultimately a sort of capitalist objectification and commodification of, in this case, the female.”
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Brand went on to highlight his point by talking about Margaret Thatcher’s premiership and how she was a “woman-man”.
He said she was “a brilliant politician” but that she was not a feminist icon “because her values were male values” and did not improve the lives of women.
Brand’s comments prompted a strong reaction on social media
Host of the Guilty Feminist podcast Deborah Frances-White said: “I really don’t want to be taught feminism by Russell Brand.”
Another wrote: “Congratulations to Russell Brand for mansplaining to women how they should enjoy WAP & their own sexuality.”
Another said: “I like Russell Brand, really, but I’m bored of men thinking it’s their place to decide what is and what isn’t female empowerment.”
But many jumped to his defence and praised his “nuanced” take on the issue.
One said: “Russell Brand is not ‘mansplaining feminism’, he’s having a nuanced discussion about a complex topic and… he’s right.”
Another said: “Completely Agree with Russell Brand. The way certain people have responded to him exemplifies toxic feminism and cancel culture.
And another said: “Apparently Russell Brand can’t have an opinion on feminism because he’s a man according to white women on Twitter who have spent the last few months sharing their theory on racial discrimination.”
The explicitly sexual lyrics in the WAP video and song has prompted criticism from some. In response, Cardi B said: “I always encourage people to be confident, especially when it comes to your sexuality.”
Tiger King’s Carole Baskin also raised concern over the safety of the tigers and cheetahs featured in the video.
More about: | Russell Brand | Cardi B | Megan thee Stallion