Erykah Badu Called Pedophile Apologist, Victim Blamer For Stance On New Zealand High School Short Skirts Ban
Erykah Badu has never been one to shy away from controversy when it comes to unpopular stances on political issues, but even some of her biggest fans are outraged over comments she made supporting the administration of a New Zealand high school that told young women their skirts must be knee-length in order to avoid distracting male students and staff.
There was an article ruling that high school girls lower their skirts so male teachers are not distracted. I agreed because…
— ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) April 12, 2016
…I am aware that we live in a sex l-driven society. It is everyone’s, male and female’s, responsibility to protect young ladies…
— ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) April 12, 2016
…one way to protect youth is to remind them we are all sexual in nature and as they grow and develop it is natural to attract men…
— ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) April 12, 2016
… aware and awake. Men and women both go thru cycles of arousal. Men automatically are attracted to women of child bearing age….
— ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) April 12, 2016
…I want my daughters to understand this. I want them to be themselves and wear what they like, yet be aware. Not ignore our differences…
— ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) April 12, 2016
Males should be taught to be responsible for their actions from childhood. It’s not ok to “prey” on young women…
— ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) April 12, 2016
…But do I think it is unnatural for a heterosexual male 2b attracted to a young woman in a revealing skirt? No. I think it is his nature..
— ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) April 12, 2016
Erykah unearthed what was clearly a polemic dispute over the issue. Most of the arguments against her focused on the debate between “accountability vs. blaming” when it comes to such rules limiting the way young women dress. Badu’s own opinion, more fleshed out by later tweets, indicates that it is natural for a man to be attracted to a woman who has passed through puberty. Because of that, guidelines to curb so-called distractions were preventative and not punitive toward young women.
Those who responded were extremely split on Erykah’s views. Some accused her of trying to normalize older men being attracted to underaged girls. Others agreed with her that even law cannot dictate morals and that those affected by such societal issues need to take that into account.
@fatbellybella I think people get confused when it comes to victim shaming. There is nothing wrong with teaching girls to protect themselves
— Cultural Misfit (@NanewsCloset) April 12, 2016
basically @fatbellybella is saying that we can’t stop grown ass men from looking at little girls and it’s our responsibility to protect -c-
— groovy sensation (@afrosinatra) April 12, 2016
@fatbellybella women are naturally sexual beings too but bc boys aren’t sexualised the way girls are, we don’t objectify
— Sophie (@sophiehall11_) April 12, 2016
@fatbellybella There are several women who are attracted to other women, and keep their urges internal. Why cant we expect the same of men?
— aesthetic (@id_succ) April 12, 2016
Throughout the conversation, Erykah attempted to reinforce the view that the issue was more complicated than putting blame on women or men. When confronted with critics who argued that even bringing up such a viewpoint was wrong on her part, Badu staunchly stood by her right to give unpopular opinions.
Being a sexually being attracted to a young woman is not an “issue”. Being a sexual deviant is, however. https://t.co/YUIK4Hambt
— ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) April 12, 2016
Please continue ladies. This dialogue is important. I want to hear more from the young men.
— ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) April 12, 2016
No. I’m going to look at it from all angles where I can. https://t.co/7xnMqMJ3hH
— ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) April 12, 2016
Being attracted to a young woman in a short skirt does not make one a “pervert”
It makes them human. https://t.co/ih4AA3bKX0— ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) April 12, 2016
Even though Erykah Badu was starting a battle with some people on Twitter, she was also in entertainment news this weekend for patching up her ongoing feud with antagonistic rapper Azealia Banks. The pair had a falling out when Erykah tweeted that she had “tried” to listen to Azealia’s music, which sent the younger musician into a rage. Both expressed relief to be supportive of one another again, reported HotNewHipHop.
[Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP Images]