Our next controversial video comes from Sky Ferreira, the 21-year-old Los Angeles indie rocker.
Her clip for ‘I Blame Myself’ has been criticized for using black men as “props” and perpetrating negative stereotypes.
I just can’t muster much outrage over this sort of thing. A week after L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling was caught on tape saying truly hateful things about the African-American men who make his league to successful, I’d say that’s where our vitriol should be directed.
Ferreira answered the criticism with the following rambling Facebook explanation:
Some people are accusing of being racist. I usually do not need to feel the need to explain myself (which I’m not) but I DO feel the need to share my thoughts on the situation. Nothing upsets me more than being called racist because that is one of the most hateful things anyone can be. Not only do I find it insulting towards myself but I also feel insulted for the actors & dancers & my family in the video. No, I did not use black back up dancers as ‘props’. I auditioned a bunch of dancers, all races & my dancers were the best ones. … Stop trying to search for something that isn’t there. I’m from LA & shot the video there. I referenced ’90s hip hop videos and Michael Jackson because both of those things inspire me & played a big part of my childhood.
My only thought after reading her response is that these were the best dancers she could find? It must not have been a very competitive audition.
Or is it because you saw my face on the cover?
Either way it’s all the same
It’s like talking to a friend who’s trying to be your lover
Underneath it all
I know it’s not your fault
That you don’t understand
I blame myself
How could you know what it feels like to fight the hounds of hell?
You think you know me so well
How could you know what it feels like to be outside yourself?
You think you know me so well
I just want you to realize I blame, I blame myself
I blame myself for my reputation
I’m just a face without a choice
A choice you’d never like to guess what I think above the shoulders
10 years old without a voice
I feel like nothing’s really changed
Now I’m just a little older
Underneath it all
I know it’s not your fault
That you don’t understand
I blame myself
How could you know what it feels like to fight the hounds of hell?
You think you know me so well
How could you know what it feels like to be outside yourself?
You think you know me so well
I just want you to realize I blame, I blame myself
Blame, blame, blame myself
I blame, I blame, blame myself for my reputation
I blame myself
I blame myself
I blame myself
I blame myself
How could you know what it feels like to fight the hounds of hell?
You think you know me so well
How could you know what it feels like to be outside yourself?
You think you know me so well
I just want you to realize I blame, I blame myself
Blame, blame, blame myself
I blame, I blame, blame myself for my reputation
I blame myself
I blame myself
I blame myself
I blame myself
Your observation about the dancers is hysterical. They really are pretty lame.
The song, on the other hand, is pretty decent. And I agree that, unfortunately, we have been given far better recent examples of racism than anything depicted here.
LOL at the dancer comment after watching the video 😉
The best is your comment on those “dancers” geeze Louise!