I do believe we call it "foot-in-mouth" disease

[eumelia]

I'm having second thoughts about admiring Amanda Palmer these days.

Ironic. You keep using that word, I don't think it means what you think it means.

You know, I like Lady Gaga and AFP for many of the same reasons.
Both have a lot to say about a woman's condition in the spotlight.
Both are open about their bisexuality, which for this queer, is awesome.
Bot perform in over the top costumes, make-up and live!

Their styles are different, Gaga is unashamedly pop-and-plastique, AFP is wonderfully indie-and-dark.

Gaga is all about glitz and glitter.

AFP is all about powder and pastiche.

Gaga has done crip-drag and AFP has done crip-drag.

I've yet to hear Gaga utter a disparaging word againt a fellow artist and performer like AFP has done.

I'm really disappointed in AFP.

I don't know what I'm going to do now.

Comments

[finch]

I recommend listening to some more Lady Gaga.

It won't fix anything, but it always makes me feel better.

[eumelia]

I <3 Gaga like WHOA! I adore what she's been doing and her music is great :)

I love AFP's music as well, but I don't think I can support her any more... :(

[finch]

Yeah, I've whittled my Dresden Dolls collection down to my very favorites, the ones that I still enjoy without thinking about the person who wrote them. Kind of like when I pared my Orson Scott Card book collection down slowly.

[majoline]

well, crap. Now I feel bad for spending money on that album.

[eumelia]

Was she like this five years ago with the Dresden Dolls?

Gah. This is sad making.

[majoline]

See I don't remember! but they were awesome. :(

[dharma_slut]

Well, damn.

I think I know what she *meant* to say, but someone who makes their living and stakes their reputation on their wordsmithing should have better control over the way they say things.

You don't piss in the pool you drink from.

[eumelia]

I also realised what she meant to say... it came out a tad opposite of her point, though.

I think Tweeting is her downfall. She needs more words to not sound like an ass on the internet (though the Evelyn Evelyn thing shows otherwise as well).

[lilacsigil]

Both have a lot to say about a woman's condition in the spotlight.

Yes, and Amanda Palmer seems to think that being open and angry about oppression directly affecting her (which is great!) means that she doesn't have to think about oppression of anyone else. I think it's not an uncommon problem with white feminists* - thinking their oppression is the only important oppression and not realising their privilege. But when she has such a platform, it's extra disappointing.

*Including me!

[eumelia]

I'm a white feminist too and I've *failed* more than once I'm told. But you know, if you're feminist you have to acknowledge your position, even if you're an artist and you're fucked up and all that, you don't live in a vacuum of fucked-up-ness.

[lilacsigil]

if you're feminist you have to acknowledge your position

Yes! Exactly! Palmer poured her own pain and anger into artistry and outspokenness, but now she co-opts other people's stories and pain to make her statements - the classic privileged position - while complaining that people don't "get" her, and we're too sensitive.

[teej]

i've never really listened to amanda palmer, which seems to be a good thing considering the evelyn evelyn stuff and now this. at least i don't have to feel conflicted about thinking she seems pretty atrocious.

but i get it - it's always so disappointing and frustrating when public figures that you have huge respect for come out with bigoted bullshit.

and hi :)

[eumelia]

Hi there :)

Yeah, it's disappointing. I'm not really sure what strategy I'm going to adopt when it comes to her music, possibly simply download instead of support like I usually do - I like having tangible things.

[miss_haitch]

Gaaah, I've been seeing this all over my reading list, and it's dreadful. This and the Evelyn Evelyn thing have really changed my mind about Amanda Palmer - I used to admire her a great deal, for her musical skills, her down-to-earth attitude and for being open about feminism, but it's been a big turnaround recently.