Arcade Fire video causes debate
19 May 2014 | 7:59 am
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Staff Writer
Arcade Fire have released a video for their song 'We Exist' off of 'Reflektor' and it has caused quite a number of arguments in the comments section over the clip and song's subject matter: Transgenders.
Arcade Fire have released a video for their song 'We Exist' off of 'Reflektor'. It features actor Andrew Garfield and footage of the band's set at American music festival, Coachella.
The song and video deal with a person's struggle with gender identity. The response is nothing but interesting with one YouTuber writing: "Fucking disgusting" in response to Garfield's adoption of female clothing.
Other comments are also very strongly worded in with one of the most outgoing ones being: "Sorry but there's no reason why you should feel the need to wear a bra if you don't have boobs...Gays are one thing, trannies are another. If that isn't mental illness, then I don't know what is." Many people have also commented in support for the band and in support of the LGBT community.
However one user, Kat Blaque, was outspoken in her annoyance at the video for its portrayal of transgenders in a different way then the rest, providing a lengthy statement.
"So, I'm a trans woman and as much as I'd like to say that I enjoyed this music video: I didn't.
I am frankly sick and tired of people using the experiences of women like me to bring themselves acclaim and attention. When you really think about what happened in this music video, the only reason why Andrew's character was trans is so that he could be beaten up and was the resolution after that??... a dance number?
See, I get why so many really ignorant people would look at this and think that is so great and so moving but I see right through this and see that Andrew Garfield is a hot topic and everyone's trying on trans characters to win awards and to gain acclaim. I've been approached by so many documentaries and people that really just want to benefit from the shock factor that society has told us being trans is. Everyone wants to play up the whole "oh "she" is a boy" thing and I'm honestly tired of it.
This music video actually could have been good. In fact the beginning of it did hit close to home. I know how it feels to be starting your transition and feeling really odd in women's clothing. I even know how it feels to go out in public and have people stare at you or feeling out of place because you don't quite fit. The truth is,this video exploited trans experiences as a plot device. They could have used this to make a real statement about how many trans women are murdered or attacked after they go out into bar scenes. They could have made a statement about transphobia and trans experiences. Instead they put Andrew Garfield in a bad wig, clothes that didn't quite fit and Ziggy Stardust makeup. And what are the comments reading??
"we hate fags"
"fuck the fag agenda"
Bullshit attacking gay men, not trans women... I'm growing so tired of seeing non trans people write stories about trans people to only then be translated into a tired plot of a man that puts on women's clothing. Let's ignore the millions of trans people that are thriving that face adversity for being trans. Let's just focus on a man standing in front of the mirror putting makeup on and trying on dresses to later get beaten because of ignorance. It's upsetting to me because it's like the people that make this are ignorant about trans struggles and their message is supposed to address that people are ignorant about trans struggles. I'm kinda done."
See, I get why so many really ignorant people would look at this and think that is so great and so moving but I see right through this and see that Andrew Garfield is a hot topic and everyone's trying on trans characters to win awards and to gain acclaim. I've been approached by so many documentaries and people that really just want to benefit from the shock factor that society has told us being trans is. Everyone wants to play up the whole "oh "she" is a boy" thing and I'm honestly tired of it.
This music video actually could have been good. In fact the beginning of it did hit close to home. I know how it feels to be starting your transition and feeling really odd in women's clothing. I even know how it feels to go out in public and have people stare at you or feeling out of place because you don't quite fit. The truth is,this video exploited trans experiences as a plot device. They could have used this to make a real statement about how many trans women are murdered or attacked after they go out into bar scenes. They could have made a statement about transphobia and trans experiences. Instead they put Andrew Garfield in a bad wig, clothes that didn't quite fit and Ziggy Stardust makeup. And what are the comments reading??
"we hate fags"
"fuck the fag agenda"
Bullshit attacking gay men, not trans women... I'm growing so tired of seeing non trans people write stories about trans people to only then be translated into a tired plot of a man that puts on women's clothing. Let's ignore the millions of trans people that are thriving that face adversity for being trans. Let's just focus on a man standing in front of the mirror putting makeup on and trying on dresses to later get beaten because of ignorance. It's upsetting to me because it's like the people that make this are ignorant about trans struggles and their message is supposed to address that people are ignorant about trans struggles. I'm kinda done."
Although many replies stated she was out of line and was being over-the-top; she raises an interesting point none the less.
Is the concept of transgenders and homosexuals being exploited as a marketing tool to gain publicity or public approval? Let us know your thoughts after watching the video below.
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