Nicki Minaj sends subliminal(?) message at Grammy's?

[FarLeftFist]

Nicki Minaj shows up on the red carpet dressed as Red Riding Hood with man dressed as the Pope who some people are speculating symbolizes the Big Bad Wolf. BTW, Springsteen was AWESOME opening up in case anyone missed it!

[Gabi Hayes]

1. Good, bop bop....

GOOD VIBRATIONS!

even sandbox boy is there.

[southernyankeebelle]

2. I find this offensive being a catholic.

[Iggo]

3. He's a public figure who has some extremely controversial views.

Ya gotta expect it.

[FarLeftFist]

5. Yeah, this pope isn't exactly a model citizen.

[southernyankeebelle]

7. I can't stand the pope. I just don't like them making a mockery of the cloths honorable popes who

have come before them.

[MadHound]

18. Frankly there haven't been that many honorable popes throughout history

We can start with Pius XII, continue back through the Borgia's and on back.

There have been good popes here and there, but overall, meh.

[southernyankeebelle]

43. Last great Pope to me was the little fat pope John (I think that was his name) who died back in

1963. I was in Italy at the time and the people really loved him.

[Tyrs WolfDaemon]

54. I had a relative whose name was Pio Quinto

He was Pius V's illegitimate son. (probably not the only one)


Just thought I'd share since your post made me think of it.

[Marrah_G]

42. There weren't a heck of alot of those.

John Paul was probably one of the better ones comparatively (although I have my own personal hate for him in regards to child molesters) . Historically the majority of popes were not that honorable.

As a pagan I do understand that seeing someone mocking one's religion or painting it in a certain light can be offensive. My best advice is for the sake of your blood pressure, just let it roll off.

[southernyankeebelle]

49. I am not talking about John Paul. I am talking about Pope John who died in 1963. He came before

him. Then there was Pope Paul (I didn't like him either). Then came Pope John Paul I who died shortly after being pope for a short while. Then came Pope John Paul II who was the one before this idiot. I read somewhere that John Paul I was supposedly murdered because he really wanted to make some big, big changes. But I don't know if that is true. I did like him and was sorry to see him die so fast. Yes your right. We have had some good popes and many that are terrible. Thank you for the advice I am trying to let it role off.

[shanti]

55. pope john XXIII

is who you are referring to. he was quite popular, and even i remember him, and i'm not a catholic.

[southernyankeebelle]

57. Yes, Yes, everyone loved him. He was so friendly. They called him the little fat one. I remember

when he died. I was in Naples, Italy at the time. The country was in mourning for a week. All the stores closed down on the day of the funeral and it was on tv. You would have thought their father, uncle, or brother had died. It was very sad. At the time I was 13 and really didn't understand people and their feelings. Not until years later when I realized he really was the best pope and none better until John Paul the first came in. His time was very short. I often wondered how is would have turned out had he be there longer.

[FarLeftFist]

4. Possible statement about contraception?

The dress was designed by Italian Donatella Versace. With a name like Minaj she probably enjoys her sexual being and would probably be against the anti-contraceptive crowd. 50% of births are unwanted pregnancies, not to mention safety from STDs.

[southernyankeebelle]

6. She can make her point without using a priest to stand by her side. I am all for birth control but

not at some Grammy awards show.

[FarLeftFist]

9. To each their own.

[vaberella]

31. Actually the point is lost. Why?

Because your explanation in no way is what I thought it meant. I thought it was in regards to child pedophilia cases that have been mounted against this Pope in particular since he was a participant in pushing other pedo-Priests through the system.

All in all if your point is correct then that is not what I read and if the point is then screwed since I can come up with another 5 other scenarios as to the meaning of this. I think it's an absurd Halloween contest. I hated when that other clown Lady Gaga came on the the arm of service men and women who were discharged.

I hate when serious issues political and social are turned into a sideshow on the redcarpet made up of clowns. This is just another version of the same Lady Gaga madness. I'm not saying don't get involved but these sorts of spectacles are not helpful. And in the case here...far more offensive than anything else.

[hlthe2b]

19. I find it offensive & I'm not Catholic, nor do I have any real respect for Ratzinger...

but, I do respect my Catholic sisters and brethren. One can make a very directed point about the status of Catholic clergy and their history of horrific misdeeds--if that was the issue being addressed--in much more effective ways.

[southernyankeebelle]

41. As a catholic I cannot stand the pope. I never liked him from the beginning. But showing

disrespect for the clothing that the clergy wear shows your fans who like your music that you don't care about them. I like the music of this artist. I won't buy a CD from her now. I wish people would leave politics, music and religion to the places they belong. Sadly what I see from many posters is the hate they have always had for the catholic church. I am not one to go to organized church any longer. But I take my faith seriously as many of you here do. I have always respected people and their religion. All I ask is the same in return. It isn't only the catholic church that has problems ministers and priests. Just be fair.

[Tsiyu]

48. When the Catholic Church starts showing respect for humanity

I'll start showing respect for the Catholic Church.
They make a mockery of women's and children's lives EVERY DAY.

EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

And the drapery getup is the same as the Episcopal Church where I was raised. The Episcopal Church is evil, just as the Catholic CHurch is evil, and in similar ways, (though they are not against birth control.)

All I ask is that you consider that symbols are not anywhere near as important as humanity. And if there is a Gawd, she'd be mocking the churches more than any of us.

[southernyankeebelle]

51. Your entitled to your opinion. I happen to like the Episcopal Church and would never say it is evil.

[Tsiyu]

53. Well, I'll spare you the details, then

My father was abused horribly by Catholic nuns and priests. ASk him about the Church.....he wouldn't let us anywhere near it.

My best friend was abused by an Episcopal priest. I was raised Episcopalian, and they have destroyed many lives, too.

Both religions are full of pigs and run by pigs - in my opinion - and deserve zero respect from anyone.

[southernyankeebelle]

56. I'm sorry for your dad and your friend. I on the other hand never once had such an experience.

All am saying that not all priests are bad.

[Tsiyu]

58. Thanks

My dad is a wonderful person. Yesterday he was ranting to me about Romney.

"Do you know what he did?" he asks. Then proceeds to tell me about the dog on the car.

"I know, Dad. Remember, I told you about that last week?" (He forgets a lot at his age.)

"Oh, yeah. You did," he says. Then he went on about David Letterman doing a segment lambasting Romney and the dog carrier on the car. My dad is livid about Romney doing that to the dog . And livid that he sprayed the dog and made it ride wet in cold temps on top of the car.

"Why wasn't he arrested!?!?" he says. I love my dad.

I can't stand the churches. The good priests should all leave and form their own missions and stop feeding the Vatican.

[southernyankeebelle]

59. I could agree with that.

[Raster]

23. I am not a Catholic and I DON'T find this offensive. In fact, I applaud the visual metaphor.

What I find offensive is an out-of-touch and dated religious power structure composed entirely of men intent on imposing their misogynistic overview and so-called "morality" on others.

[southernyankeebelle]

47. If your not catholic of course you don't understand. How the heck can you? Only a non-catholic

would say such a thing. It is disrespectful, simple. There are rituals in the church and meaning in wearing the colors when and what you wear. I know about them because my husband worked for military ministers and priest, and even rabbis. He had to know how to set up the different church services. I had the lucky break for work for a priest for awhile and he was loved by the parrish. I just don't like to see all priests painted with the same brush. I know we can all find something wrong with all organized churches of all faiths. I'm just sick and tired of hearing all bad about the catholic church when most of us are liberal leaning. We believe in our religion and not necessarily what the priests tell us all the time. Just like all faiths not everyone takes what they say as the gospel.

[surfdog]

29. Who gives a shit

I f

[surfdog]

30. Who gives a shit ?

I find fucking little boys offensive , does that stop the church ?

[MNBrewer]

38. I find Catholicism offensive

[southernyankeebelle]

40. Really ask me if I care what you think? I sure the f**k don't.

[MNBrewer]

61. And I care what YOU think?

[southernyankeebelle]

69. Great.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

64. I think I understand where you're coming from.

At the bottom rungs of the Catholic church, there are some really wonderful and dedicated people doing important work. But of course, the catholic church itself has for centuries been against women, against science, against children, and against progress. These things are systematic, worldwide, and centrally controlled. You are a part of this organization by choice, and probably by tradition, and you're supportive of the church. Please don't be taken aback that some of us have a special hatred for this criminal organization. Make a splinter denomination--Catholic Plus. Do something, anything, to dissociate yourself with systematic child rapists. Or don't, but don't be surprised when you catch some of the invective aimed at the church.

[southernyankeebelle]

67. Thank you. I think you are on the right track. I was born a catholic just like a Jew was born to

be a Jew. I like many catholics are disgusted by what the higher ups are doing and haven't done. I don't give to the church any longer. But my faith is strong. I don't go to organized church any longer because of the mixing of religion and politics. There is a strong liberal leaning with catholics. Some want us don't want to give up our church and its teachings. Many don't want to do that because we have strong faith with our religion. By the way the catholic church believes in evoluation. Like ALL CHURCHS there are good and bad. I think every priest who has abused a child should be thrown in jail. Many good priests feel the same. I hope someday that priests will be allow to be married. By the way not all married religious leaders will not change the fact that abuse doesn't happen in that community either. I get sick and tired of some thinking because a priest isn't married he is automatically gay and a child abuser. That isn't so at all. I make sure to tell people when they say something to that effect.

[Arugula Latte]

70. You're upset about clothing?

Really?

[southernyankeebelle]

73. Really. Everything in the church has a tradition. Clothing is part of that tradition. It might

be trivial to you but it isn't to me. I take all my traditions seriously. As I am sure you have traditions that are important to you that I might think is trivial. It is a prospective. Sorry I just don't find it funny. She could make her point other ways. Maybe she could of said a speech.

[one_voice]

8. Honestly..

I would have never guessed she'd be following what's going on in politics, if in fact, she's making a statement.

[Nye Bevan]

10. If she wanted to be *really* brave and cutting-edge, the guy would be dressed as Muhammed.

But then a fatwa would have been taken out on her and she would have had to go into hiding for the next 20 years.

Attacking Catholicism is much safer.

[FarLeftFist]

11. The Pope wouldn't be the equivalent to Muhammed. I don't know what message she's sending but

I don't know if she's 'attacking' it. Maybe critiquing it.

[marmar]

12. Couldn't you make a point about attacking Catholicism without drifting into Islamophobia?

nt

[southernyankeebelle]

74. Why insult anyones religion? What is the point? She looked like a fool to me.

[vaberella]

25. How is Mohammed ranked in the same category as the Pope?!

I mean really. You just took the issue to another place that irritates me as much as this Nicki Minaj.

[madrchsod]

13. auto tune nicki making a statement....

BORING....

[cherokeeprogressive]

17. But it's so cool and edgy! n/t

[TheWraith]

22. Apparently "edgy" is now a synonym for "insane."

She also had a heavily Catholic-themed song performance which came off less like a statement and more like a schizophrenic episode set to music.

[one_voice]

14. I don't get the...

performance.

[UTUSN]

15. That ain't the Nazi Youth one n/t

[justiceischeap]

16. Umm... that's all I got. n/t

[lpbk2713]

20. I thought it was trick or treat time again.

[LeftyMom]

21. Whatever that is, it's definitely not subliminal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subliminal_stimuli

Subliminal stimuli ( /sʌbˈlɪmɨnəl/; literally "below threshold&quot , contrary to supraliminal stimuli or "above threshold", are any sensory stimuli below an individual's threshold for conscious perception.[1] The large majority of research has found that subliminal messages do not produce strong or lasting changes in behavior.[2] Visual stimuli may be quickly flashed before an individual can process them, or flashed and then masked, thereby interrupting the processing. Audio stimuli may be played below audible volumes, masked by other stimuli, or recorded backwards in a process called backmasking.

Whatever her point is appears to be unclear, but that she's trying to make some kind of "edgy" statement is so clear it can be seen from space.

[JSnuffy]

37. That one...

... nothing subtle there at all.

[CanSocDem]

46. That's right.

I hate it when people mis-identify confusing or complicated imagery as "subliminal". As if it isn't their own fault that they don't understand.

.

[vaberella]

24. I mean statement or not this is ridiculous.

I hate when issues that are serious seem to be turned into a sideshow.

[pinboy3niner]

26. She chose to go on with it, even after Whitney's death

What was she thinking?

[vaberella]

32. I don't know what Whitney's death has to do with anything. n/t

[pinboy3niner]

36. It has no effect on the Grammys?

Are you serious?

[Ilsa]

27. I tried to watch her performance

but her voice turned me off. To me, it was a busy, tantric mess, and I was glad it was over. I was looking for entertainment, not a political statement.

[Marrah_G]

44. I have to say I love her voice

I'm not sure why, I'm more of a celtic or soft rock sort of woman- I just really like it...

[malaise]

28. It was one great statement

I loved it

[sarcasmo]

78. +1

[negativenihil]

33. Here's an idea...

Maybe it's just Nicki Minaj being her usual unusual self? *shrug*

[Codeine]

34. She's attempting to compensate for a distinct lack of talent with a ginned-up controversy.

It ain't working. She's still boring as all fuck.

[negativenihil]

50. these kinds of posts

really make me roll my eyes at DU in general.

distinct lack of talent? I'm assuming you can rap as quickly?

Look, I get it - nothing is as good as whatever your favorite music is, but please. She's obviously interesting enough for you to take the time to tell us all how boring she is.

Hell i can't even believe i'm defending her - I really don't even know much of her music!

[DisgustipatedinCA]

65. I don't even know who this singer is, but it hardly matters

We're all here talking about it today, so I think she accomplished what she set out to accomplish.

Regarding this other post you replied to, we do have a specialized class of posters here at DU who like to think of themselves as iconoclasts, but fail to understand that there's a large difference between iconoclasm and just being oppositional because they think it sounds cool. Once you see them in that light, their words become pretty boring flyover territory in a hurry--just more fluff to filter out. When they change the subject, and talk about how the performer doesn't measure up to their own subjective standards, it's a good sign that they have a big pile of nothing to talk about.

[lunatica]

35. She looks much more like a Cardinal wearing a fashion statement

than Red Riding Hood. I think the author makes up shit.

Dressing up as a Cardinal would be in keeping with the Pope prop whereas nothing makes sense out of dressing up as Ms Red Riding Hood in this scenario..

[stevenleser]

63. I was going to say this reminds me more of a red habit than red riding hood.

And, upon some research... viola:

Nicki Minaj walks on the wild side with a red nun's habit.

http://theenvelope.latimes.com/awards/grammys/la-et-grammy-fashion-20120213,0,968222.story

[zonkers]

39. Her perfomance tonight was dumb and pretentious. I think she is overrated as is Drake. I really

liked her single Monster, though.

[ScreamingMeemie]

45. BS...How about just plain old "Nicki Minaj dressed stupidly for the Grammy's"...?

[HappyMe]

52. lol!

Good grief! Can't sing? Wear a Halloween costume!

[southernyankeebelle]

75. So did anyone see what kind of a role model she inspires on Ellen show about a month ago?

Boom Boom Boom Boom whatever. The british little girls just loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeMinaj. And some of are worried about the Pope. Really. She inspires 5 year olds to new highs.

[obamanut2012]

60. Her Performance Art set piece was hysterical

A total and complete hot mess of , but I loved it.

[sofa king]

62. As a Bad Brains fan, I liked it.

I don't really know who she is, but her delivery reminds me entirely of good old HR:

[TeeYiYi]

66. Reminds me of 'A Handmaid's Tale'...

I didn't see the performance but the photo reminds me of Margaret Atwood's novel, A Handmaid's Tale.

TYY

[Tom Ripley]

68. I don't find it offensive, just tired

that "outrageous" trope has been around for decades.

On the other hand, that outrageous institution has been around for centuries.

[Cali_Democrat]

71. Well I think it's cool!

Go Nicki!

[Avalux]

72. No message, her performance was nuts and incoherent.

The shock value bar keeps getting raised higher and higher; doesn't mean being outrageous equals cleverness or genius.

[WillowTree]

76. The only message I saw her sending, subliminal or otherwise, was...

...."I'm a fucking freak show, hear me roar"

[sarcasmo]

77. Fuck! the pope.