Maybe I’m just desensitized at this point but this kind of thing does’t even make me flinch anymore. I see it, I sigh, and I move along. But for those that haven’t heard the latest controversy in Pop music, another artist has chosen to bastardize elements of Asian culture and inject them into their work. Sometimes its a misguided attempt at homage and flattery, sometimes its a result of blatant ignorance, and almost all the time it’s just an eye-rolling debacle. Many have been quick to cry “racist”… so tell me what you think.
https://dailymotion.com/video/x1qnryh
So? Whats the verdict? I think it’s all just silly and humorous in a its-so-bad-its-funny/cringe-worthy kinda way. Am I offended? Not exactly. If I took offense at everything akin to this, I’d have an ulcer or two by now. Do I think it’s good? Certainly not. At the end of the day, all I can do and say is shake my head and let out an apathetic “meh”.
But many other publications had far less kind things to say.
“Avril Lavigne ‘Hello Kitty’ Video Is An Embarrassment In Any Language” – Billboard.com
“[There are] serious questions about whether it’s offensive (expressionless Asian dancers, Tokyo-as-prop) or offensively obvious.” – EW
“We could write about Avril Lavigne’s new music video for “Hello Kitty,” or we could just show you all these stock photos that express our feelings after watching it.” – HuffingtonPost
So the internet hates it and thinks it’s the Worst Ever. Her fans seem to like it. As for me?
a-Tunes 