27/07/2023
[Following is an open letter I wrote back in December 2013, in response to Miley Cyrus, still naked and swinging from wrecking balls, poking fun at Sinead O'Connor. Sinead had written an open letter, cautioning Miley to be mindful of the businessmen eager to exploit her s*xuality for profit. I was angry that someone who had endured all of this before--at great cost--could be so easily dismissed by a second-generation pop brat. Anyhow, I thought I'd share it here. My writing has grown tighter in the last ten years, but the sentiment remains.]
Dear Sinead,
Long have I followed your career, and likewise defended your bold courage to anyone who is willing to listen. I grew up with your successful early albums, and was moved by your voice, not to mention your single tear in the Nothing Compares 2U video. I understood why you ripped up the Pope’s picture on SNL. I found that statement to be a wonderful platform to protest the apathy of the Vatican toward s*xual abuses in the church. You were fearless when you quite literally sacrificed your career in the defence of those who could not defend themselves. You taught me that we all have a social responsibility to help others first, and for that I hold you in the highest esteem.
As a young artist, you rebelled against the record industry by shaving your head and wearing drab clothes, because you understood that popular culture wants women to look and behave a certain way. You wrote provocative songs about politics, war, love, loss, abuse, and redemption. You refused to to allow the American national anthem to be played before a show because you felt that nationalism breeds hatred and war, and you were right. As years went by, you compiled a remarkable discography, appeared on dozens of other artists’ songs, and continued to tour around the world, speaking out against social injustice. As the s*x abuses were brought into the public, rather than appreciate the message you tried to deliver twenty years ago, the world continued to view you as a pariah, a provocateur, and a trouble maker.
In recent years, you have been public about your personal struggles with mental illness and depression. You reached out to Miley Cyrus, after watching her transform rapidly into a confused, irrational s*x symbol for a troubled generation in dire need of a role model. Sadly, this was a mistake. I read your open letter. You made no insults, only offering advice in regards to how industry bosses abuse their young female talent. You cautioned her to be wary of older men advising her to bare herself, simulate s*xual acts, and objectify herself in the name of her art. You know as well as anyone that her handlers want a hit album, and they will have her do just about anything to produce a bottom line. Miley even admitted that she admired you, and why not? You are a fine role model for young women who wish to portray themselves as strong, independent, and mature.
The problem is, you can’t fix what doesn’t want to be fixed. Rather than listen to wise counsel, Miley mockingly ripped you apart, making fun of your recent struggles with mental illness, and even lashing out about Amanda Bynes, a troubled young actress who did not deserve to be humiliated any further. Miley acted no better than the ignorant sheep who burned piles of your albums in the pack mentality of school-yard bullies.
After all the shocking images, videos, and interviews, Miley Cyrus, that second generation spoiled brat of questionable talent and moral fibre was actually applauded for her responses to your letters. What you don’t understand, Sinead, is that the world in which we currently live, the Miley’s are the heroes. We live in a world where tabloid news is more important than actual news. Kids know who Paul Walker was, but not Nelson Mandela. Teenage boys think teenage girls have to act like the girls in p**n. Girls think they have to lower themselves to that standard in order to impress the boys. The ‘blurred lines’ are a joke. Pop culture fully endorses these kinds of behaviours, and Miley Cyrus has developed a distorted view of what makes a young woman strong. Not everyone can do the things you have done; not every girl would cut her hair or stand up to bullies like you did, but she could choose role models with more substance. We all knew that kid in class who was popular despite the fact they picked on others. Miley is playing that part.
It was naïve to think that you could make a difference trying to use your experience and understanding to help her understand the damage she has done. If only you could have heard the morning radio show announcers laughing at you; it made me angry to hear them try to actually defend Miley’s antics as strength. All I see is another naïve little girl doing the ‘twerk’ dance for perverted old men in suits waiting to get paid while she swings naked on wrecking balls and licking hammers. She looks desperate. Desperation is not a sign of strength. But, like I said, you can’t help someone who doesn’t want to be helped. Take heart in the generation of young women -- real women with intestinal fortitude and intelligence, who have grown up with your inspiration. It is these people who will actually make a difference in the world, not some rich, snot-nosed kid who feels she has to flip off the establishment and shake her ass in Robin Thicke’s crotch. Write music, play for the crowds that want to hear you, and if you must, counsel Amanda Bynes, who most certainly would be more receptive to a helping hand than a foam finger.
Sincerely,
Brandon
