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| Source-youtube.com |
Chvrches , a Scottish synthpop band was
in news for a performance they did at the Central Park Summer Stage on 29th September
2015.
A man from the crowd shouted “marry me, marry me now!” at the lead
singer, Lauren Mayberry and was told off.
As you will search for this incident on the internet; you will, without
fail, find the word ‘heckled’ in every report. It might seem juvenile to just
throw the word ‘heckled’ for an episode like this, but a little background into
the band’s history might make some substantial difference into the context.
 |
| Source-screenshot ,facebook page chuvches |
As Upworthy reports in this article, Lauren
Mayberry has been against the ever convenient and rampant harassment online and
sexism in the music industry in general. She has unfortunately been the victim
of some incredibly degrading, disgusting comments and suggestions online .She
has not only shared the screenshots of the comments by these demented low lives
but also expressed her stance eloquently through this article at The Guardian.
 |
| Source-screenshot, instagram/laurenevemayberry |
I guess now as she says it, her
‘grumpiness’ makes a little sense. This is for the man who yelled even after
her explanation ‘why are you so grumpy Lauren?’ - Whether the issue amounted to
heckling or not, one thing should be clear, if the person in question doesn’t
like it, don’t do it. And to whom Mayberry gave a befitting reply.
It is definitely tragic that Mayberry and several female stars have to
go through such pathetic harassment .But is it wrong to say that Mayberry
perhaps anointed an unnecessary patronizing colour to an otherwise normal
phrase. There are still several angles related to the issue which need a deeper
understanding. First of which is the question of what amounts to heckling? Can
a comment like ‘marry me’, most generally associated with an affectionate
expression be equated with a derisive or abusive comment like perhaps ‘fuck
me’?
I am asking this question because heckling can be seen in parallel
with the gross, revolting and scary catcalling women go through every single
day! Even there, the affectionate tagged comments like ‘hey beautiful’ or ‘you
are pretty’ when coming from unwanted men and strangers become repulsive and
outrageous. But then, should the fact that it was a concert and the comment was
directed at a celebrity (which entails having admirers and haters) by a
probable fan be a factor in judging the comment?
Nude pictures of both Jennifer Lawrence and Justin Bieber were
leaked online, and while the reactions for the two stars have been different
for the audience I’m pretty sure it was the same for the stars in question:
royally pissed. But let’s get back to this singular comment , can this be taken
as the true representative of sexism against women ,when each day numerous male
singers are yelled proposals and sent nude pics or undergarments by female fans?
Do men treat these comments as compliments? Do women or men intend any
objectification in their praise for the stars? Does the comment indeed carry
commodifying or sexualising overtones? Or is this simply a price of fame, where
people who in their love or hatred for the celebrities start treating them as
objects or stars and forget where to draw a line?
Sexism against women? Celebrity heckling? Or heckling at all?
