It's quite astonishing how much a song can transform the thinking and behaviors, of millions of women around the world. When Kelis dropped the hit song, I was well into my teenage years and it was all I heard on the radio for a long time back in 2004 but contrary to it's distinct sexual connotation, it sent me a different kind of message. Without focus being on the song, my emphasis will be directed to how it's title became such an impactful phrase. Just a couple weeks ago, I was having a delightful conversation with a good friend and he dropped this phrase on me like it's hot!
After getting over the surprise by my friend's use of what became a forgotten phrase in my thinking, light bulbs went off and I realized just how much it misled women. Tracing my memory back to my teen years after the release of the song; about ninety percent of the women I saw, became more confident with their bodies. Matter of fact, I think that's an understatement of what the situation really was. Women were strutting their stuff and asking for every kind of male attention out there. Don't get me wrong but there is a difference between showing what you're blessed with and giving it away. Women didn't have to make much movement to be 'booty poppin' because their pants did that on its own either at the butt crack on top or the butt cheek underneath. Breasts were a given and it seemed like any one could have stepped up to a woman dressed like the 'Taste yard' and have a sip.
Such an elaboration given, is efficacious in helping us realize just how our perspective and interpretation of things can mold us a particular way. At the time of the popular song title, it seemed as though the masses paid more attention to the provocativeness of the video and ignored it's mild messages about maintaining your charm. Sadly, it remains the same and worse in 2014. Now that I'm an adult and gave this topic some thought, what struck me most was realizing how women labelled their bodies 'the milkshake'. Which brings me to the point of asking if our bodies labelled as 'milkshakes' are just shells and lack other capacities? Or, have we forgotten we have a brain made for intelligence, a personality for charm and an attitude to build character? Just like the milkshake is made up of ingredients, those very things makes us complete as women.
However; despite diverseness of sexual promiscuity, every woman desires a good, respectful man but are we doing the right things to attract such a man? There's a known quote that says, "You are what you attract", and if you're only getting 'thugish' attention, take a good look in the mirror; it's time for self introspection. Of course we know that men go after what they see but they also judge us by what they see so don't sell yourself to a man, be the mystery that he is magnetized to pursue. If it's a good man you desire, only a good man would stick around to continually be intrigued by the aura of who you are and not just for the sexual entertainment you present to him.
I am very aware that women may argue that some men are intimidated by a strong intelligent woman. Women who claim that, really wants the relationship to work but is shocked when the man vanishes. Although that might be true, it's important to evaluate whether you're being too strong and intelligent because you must give him room to be the man. On the other hand though, it may very well be that he felt, he didn't have what it took to handle a woman like you and in such a case, it's best to leave the relationship alone. Not all men take the necessary steps to evolve and compliment such a woman because they question their ability to step up and things can be unbalanced in a relationship like that because the strain of getting all things right in the relationship is on the woman, who then questions if she selected the right partner.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with gaining a lot of male attention but what's key is how you're attracting it. Don't use your body as a master puppetaire for unwarranted male attention with only sexual gains but rather, allow your inner qualities to stand out. There's always something luxurious about the feel of a milkshake in our mouths, that's attributed to its ingredients and not the glass it's in.
Written by:
Drishna Gibson
Drishna Gibson
N.B - A heartfelt thank you to all my readers who have been waiting with baited breath for the return of my posts. My summer vacation was lovely but I'm back for your reading pleasure.
Wow this is an exceptional piece Drishna well said and great perspective... welcome back.I do remember that song and like many other similar songs it has indeed influence the behaviour of our young people for real. I share you sentiments on this wholeheartedly. Normally I would browse through your post as they were coming so often and so quickly was hard to catch up but glad I caught this one. Keep it up. 5 thumbs up... oh wait I only have two huh. 5 stars then. smiling
ReplyDeleteI'm delighted to know that you enjoyed this one.
Delete