life & style // no. 16 Women's issues and the red carpet » Amber Rose and Blac Chyna at the VMAs Brittney MacDonald 8 Life & Style Editor M lifeandstyle @theotherpress.ca ashion has always been a huge platform for protest. Despite its issues (eating disorders, objectification, manufacturing controversies, etc.), the industry does promote a lot of free thought and self- expression. I mean, how can you argue with looking fantastic and standing up for what you believe in, right? This sentiment was epitomized during this year’s broadcast of the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), when media darlings Amber Rose and Blac Chyna decided to use their bodies as billboards for a cause greater than themselves— bringing attention to slut- shaming and cyberbullying. One of the greatest things about our generation and subsequent ones is that we have this incredible outlet and instructional tool: the Internet. We can learn about things or communicate with people all at the touch ofa button, and as consumers we embrace this whole-heartedly—even going as far as to make the Internet more readily accessible with the advent of Wi-Fi, data plans, and smartphones. Nothing is out of reach. Unfortunately what this has done is create an entire society where anonymity justifies ignorance of common human decency. I cannot remember the last time a stranger wandered up to me and told me I wasa whore, but I can remember the last time it happened online, and it was not that long ago. : as “slut, : lovely “bitch.” : Somehow, in the development : of the Internet community it : became okay to shame, judge, : insult, and threaten other people : : because they were just names : or photos ona screen, and : not actual people. Conversely, : it also became okay to do all : those things because behind : a keyboard—there is a sense : of anonymity that effectively : makes you not an actual person. : You become that name or : avatar image, so you therefore : do not have to take personal : responsibility for what you : put out into the world. I am : not trying to lecture people : on their behaviour online, but : contemplating community : toxicity on the Internet is : probably something worth : doing, considering it plays such : a huge role in our daily lives. In order to bring attention : to this, Amber Rose and Blac : Chyna, urban models and exes : of rappers Wiz Khalifa and : Tyga, decided to don two very : distinctive outfits for their red : carpet appearance. The two women each wore : a well-tailored, beige outfit. : Amber Rose wore a jumpsuit : while Blac Chyna wore an : A-line gown with a deep-V : neckline. What made the : outfits so eye-catching was that : each was painted with words : and derogatory terms that the : women found in their Instagram :! : comments. Insults such as : “gold digger” referencing both : women’s relationships with : wealthy men, and “stripper” : (both have a history as exotic : dancers) were painted alongside : far more standard comments : for women on the Internet, such “ mo whore,” and the ever When asked about their : choice in fashion and the : derogatory language on the : red carpet, Blac Chyna replied “We're just trying to embrace : it,” a sentiment that Amber Rose : seems to share in her continual : online promotion of women’s : rights and slut-shaming activism : in the Los Angeles area. Probably the most : disturbing thing of all was the : pair’s absence from the VMAs : television broadcast, despite : the fact they were actually : interviewed by red carpet : host Kelly Osbourne. One : could say that it is due to the : offensive language used on the : outfits, but the same words and : derogatory terms were used : throughout the awards show : with no repercussions (they : weren't even edited or bleeped : out in subsequent re-broadcasts : of the show). Presenters and : the show’s host, Miley Cyrus, : frequently used words such as : “whore” and “slut” for comedic : effect, however, Amber Rose and : Blac Chyna were never shown : on camera. Critics of people’s : questioning of the apparent : censorship have claimed that the : two's absence is due to relevancy. : Amber Rose and Blac Chyna are : simply exes of musicians and are : therefore not relevant to the pop : culture-centric show. I assume : that these advocates are unaware : that both Amber Rose and Blac Chyna have an upcoming reality : show that will premiere on : MTV, yet potential screen time : was instead devoted to people : like Amanda Steele, a YouTube : beauty guru who was there to : promote CoverGirl Cosmetics. Given that, I think the : message MTV is sending is : pretty obvious. Dehumanizing : language in regard to women is : fine, but only when it’s funny. Image via zap2it.com theotherpress.ca « J #DOUGLIFE Share your photos with us on Instagram using the hashtag #DougLife, for a chance to be featured in the paper! #DOUGLASCOLLEGE @ kinozengxiqing, alica963, bombheart, eo This week’s photo is by Morgan Lianne ThE OTHER PRESS Is HOSTING A RAFFLE! Win cool prizes, ranging from a variety of gift cards to candy! All you have to do is attend a meeting at the Other Press, in room 1020 at the New Westminster campus, between now and September 28. Fill out this raffle ticket, and you're entered to win. 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