Not Born This Way

[Butterfly]

Not Born This Way
The Bilerico Project
Filed by: Paige Schilt
February 24, 2011 6:00 PM


http://www.bilerico.com/2011/02/not_born_this_way.php


Last week, Lady Gaga's single "Born This Way" debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Her achievement marked the 1000th number one hit since the list was launched in 1958.

It also seemed to signal the ascendancy of a certain kind of narrative about sexual identity. If gays are born this way - whether because of biology or Creation - then they deserve rights, because their difference is innocent of choice.

[spacial]

It emphasizes rights over freedom. It reduces identity to a dichotomy of choice or no choice. It relies on bad science. And, historically, attempts to locate difference in biology have been carried out in the service of domination, not liberation.

Interesting.

[E]

Interesting.

And also quite pointless.

In a law-based society, rights and freedom are the same thing. Identity largely consists of things we can't choose already (skin color, birthplace, parents' religion(s)). And attempts to locate differences in biology nowadays are generally in order to provide better medical care - tailored drugs, watching people for genetic illnesses they're particularly predisposed to, etc. - so what it was used for historically is of little relevance. What's problematic is attempts to locate differences in psychology.

And in my case, I was born this way, and would give pretty much anything not to have been.

[spacial]

I think the point being made is that, a right is aquired. In this case, based upon the claims of scientific justification. A right can be questioned if the justification is challanged.

A freedom, on the other hand, is what is innate.

[E]

I think the point being made is that, a right is aquired. In this case, based upon the claims of scientific justification. A right can be questioned if the justification is challanged.

A freedom, on the other hand, is what is innate.

A legal right is acquired. But that quote doesn't use the term "legal" - just rights. And a right is just as innate as a freedom, recognized or not.

I have the right not to be forced by the government to work a specific, underpaid job for a year instead of studying. I do not have the freedom. In this case, the right is what is innate, and the freedom acquired (or, in this case, not).

[spacial]

Fine.

I'm not saying I agree with it. Just that it's interesting.

Semantics are a differerent matter.

[tekla]

it relies on bad science

Really?  That's what your going with?  Lady Gaga writes bad science?  Really? 

You know scientific journals tend to lack catchy instrumental hooks and a rhythm track too, but I don't see people getting on their case for that.

[VeryGnawty]

You know scientific journals tend to lack catchy instrumental hooks and a rhythm track too, but I don't see people getting on their case for that.

Scientific journals don't need marketing.  Newspapers and magazines are happy to do that for them by misrepresenting scientific studies with exaggerated headlines and misleading articles.

[tekla]

I've gone to many scientific conventions, and those sucker are marketed, they just are not marketed very well.

[Janet_Girl]

Many movements have had a rallying song that is/was used to bring up the spirits of the those gathered.


"We shall overcome" for the civil rights movement.  "We are the Champions" for just about every high school sports.  "Are you ready for some football" at almost all televised football game.

"Born This Way" is becoming, not only the rallying cry for the GLBT community, but for the anti-bullying community.

[kate durcal]

Oh dear Tekla, I thought all alone you were a musician, know it turns out you are a scientist, wow, just like Bokaroo Banzai

[tekla]

Not a musician, I do production.  Which is amazingly like organizing conferences oddly enough.