Social Policy For Jackson Vs. Timberlake

The Super Bowl XXXVIII incident

Discuss about thr Social Policy for Jackson vs. Timberlake.

This paper discusses a thorough examination of the article by Holland (2009), which presents arguments for the controversial case of Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson. Justin Randall Timberlake is an American actor, singer, songwriter and a record producer at the States. Timberlake is one of the most popular stars in America and has won numerous awards for his work. Janet Jackson is an American songwriter, singer, actress and a dancer. The Super Bowl is the highest level of professional American football that is held annually. The event is huge and there are over 110 million viewers watching the event (Cogan 2014). The event organizes halftime ceremonies in which the celebrities perform for entertainment. Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake have performed in Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004 (Adams 2016). There was an incident in which a piece of Jackson’s top was removed by Timberlake exposing her right breast nipple. The main essence of this essay revolves around Janet as a Jezebel, who is an immoral woman to seduce Timberlake for economic gain (Holland 2009). This essay describes the history or details of the event. Further, the arguments and opinions of various people regarding the wardrobe malfunction are discussed. The essay expresses the manner in which the media presented the issue. The different attitude of the people that was formed due to this incident is also determined.

On February 1, 2004, the incident when Janet Jackson was performing on stage in the halftime show of Super Bowl XXXVIII, the co-star Justin Timberlake accidentally exposed a part of Jackson’s right breast (Holland 2009). The incident is also known as ‘Nipplegate’. As the incident was accidental, it was also called a ‘wardrobe malfunction’. While Justin was performing on the song ‘Rock Your Body’, he reached to the end of the song which had its lyrics as "I'm gonna have you naked by the end of this song" (Holland 2009). He pulled a part of Jackson’s leather costume which revealed her right breast. Her nipple was found covered with a piece of jewellery for even less than one second. The CBS, television broadcasting company cut the Reliant Stadium, venue for the event to an aerial view. However, before that could happen, the picture was already sent to the television which had approximately 143 million viewers (Holland 2009). The incident led to several controversies about it being a publicity stunt. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) levied a penalty of US$ 550,000 against the CBS (Holland 2009). It was reported that approximately 200,000 viewers complained and 540,000 people filed complaints with the FCC (Holland 2009). The Chairman of FCC, Michael Powell called the nip slip as a crass and classless stunt promising to take action (Hutchinson 2016).

Jezebel mythology and black female sexuality

According to Holland (2009), the mythology of Jezebel is discussed regarding black female sexuality. The author discusses about Jezebel as a site of otherness in which the black women in America do not experience ethnic or gender identities. Jezebel is used to symbolize a woman who is evil, shrewd, seductive and scheming. The article argues about the Jezebel image giving meaning to white male privilege. The author goes back in time and discusses the origin and mythology of Jezebel who were identified as African women that are exotic and sexually insatiable breeders (Holland 2009). It is argued that the Jezebel image justifies white men exploiting the African women sexually and also the ones who use their sexuality who tempt or seduce white men. Historically, the African women were stripped naked in public forums and were made to parade nude in public during slave auctions. It is further argued that due to the construct of race and gender, Jezebels cannot be raped. It is evaluated that the Jezebel image reproduces and mirrors the dominant power structures by categorizing the sexuality of African-American women as animalistic and dangerous (Kreps 2014).

Further, the author argues Jezebel as a contemporary icon. The Jezebel image can be restructured as a symbol of empowerment. The author argues that the updated popular culture of the Jezebel image in the contemporary times is presented as an illusion of the women being slightly overweight with excessive makeup, wearing dark lipstick and being slightly overweight (Holland 2009). They are also symbolized as the women with heightened sexual desire, deviant sexuality and availability. The representations of the back women in hip-hop were deteriorating as they were objectified as sexual objects. It is argued that the African-American women entertainers attempted to openly resist or refuse the objectification of the bodies as a site of empowerment. The author states that some women such as Lil’ Kim experienced success in subverting the Jezebel image (Mail Online 2016).

The above conceptions and theories are implied by the author in the case of Jackson vs. Timberlake. The scandal rose to various controversies among the legal advocates, television producers, policymakers, and other regulatory bodies who publicly televised the representations of sexuality as well as nudity (Holland 2009). Jackson, who was clothed in a provocative leather costume performed on ‘Rhythm Nation’. This song was followed by Timberlake’s performance with the new hit ‘Rock Your Body’ (Murphy 2016). In the beginning of the performance the stage was surrounded by female dancers. The performers, Jackson and Timberlake danced seductively as Timberlake was singing. The two of them played an exotic game where cat chases mouse on stage (where Timberlake followed Jackson). Reaching to the end, Timberlake reached across Jackson’s body ripping her leather which exposed her right breast (Holland 2009). The event was identified as an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction. However, the audience argued of the act being planned. There were numerous public discussions at both national and international levels (Reid 2016).

Media representation of the incident

The media referred to the incident as “the boob seen ‘round the world” and ‘Nipplegate”. Several newspapers interpreted Jackson’s highly sexualized persona as a sign of her innate deviance, thereby absolving Timberlake from his responsibility and protecting his white maleness (Holland 2009). Many media channels constructed the news in favour of Timberlake and that this act was a scheme used by Jackson for boosting her own career by seducing Timberlake. The writers for The Seattle Times and The Houston Chronicle wrote about the incident as a condemnation of Jackson’s ‘exposed breast’ (Holland 2009).  Moreover, a writer for The Washington Post stated that after Janet Jackson’s breast exposure on Super Bowl’s halftime show shall have no musical concert in the opening game for the year 2005 (Holland 2009). The media defenders of Jackson described the act as a sexual violence. Roxane Roberts, one of the writers at The Washington Post depicted the incident and shifted the blame to Jackson’s body as a ‘spontaneous exposure’ (Holland 2009). One of the reporters stated that Jackson ‘flashed’ one of her breasts for the audience watching her on television while performing at the Super Bowl halftime show (Holland 2009). The other reporters for Columbus Dispatch, The New York Times and Daily News reported the incident as “Janet Jackson’s breast-baring” fiasco (Holland 2009).

Additionally, Tony Kornheiser, the sports writer at The Washington Post commented at the incident as the act by Janet Jackson being bizarre. Pittsburgh- Post Gazette narrated the incident as ‘the offending breast’ (Holland 2009). At The Boston Globe, Bob Ryan reported the incident as Timberlake reaching over the infamous breast. He further stated that the infamous right breast may have committed the offense. Clearly, all the remarks made by the media channels and their reporters were represented as the uncontrollable Black female body. It is interpreted that these depictions of Jackson who is not able to control her body, white men must surely take control of it. Moreover, James Lileks in The Star Tribune commented that the dress worn by Jackson is a formal wear for zombie morticians. He referred to Janet as ‘S&M chic’ who came to expect from the male artist Justin Timberlake, who was dressed as a ‘sort of modern male’ (Holland 2009). It was observed that not many articles or news reporters commented on Timberlake’s costume but Janet’s costume was referred as ‘leather bustier’. Therefore, Janet’s costume was represented as a symbol of uncontrollability and sexual aggressiveness, which is the same as predictable behaviour of a Jezebel (Holland 2009).

Different attitudes formed by the society

Another theme is related to the publicity stunt of breast-baring. The media reported that it was a promotional strategy for Jackson for Timberlake to rip off her leather covering as a strategy to boost her upcoming and future album sales. The media also called the stunt as ‘excessively public display’ for her new album Damita Jo (Holland 2009). The writer of Pittsburgh-Post Gazette reported that Jackson manipulated the halftime occasion for knowing sex, own enrichment and selling controversy that would help her make millions. Another journalist Kevin Cowherd stated that all the fans of Jackson expect salacious behaviour from Janet such as pelvic grinding, cleavage display and outfits from S&M catalogue. Jim Farber said that this student would elevate her music career. Another remark was made by Sharon Fink of St. Petersburg Times that Janet was smiling by hiding her head facing the camera (Holland 2009).

The comments marked by the media are significant for multiple reasons. The attention that has been generated by Janet Jackson can be termed manipulative. The media stated that the incident was not a simple wardrobe malfunction, but a means to elevate Jackson’s own career. It is argued that he media fails to discuss Justin’s potential motives for the participation in the sexual act as he was a part of the event. The media channels detracted attention from Timberlake’s behaviour and performance of hypersexual white masculinity. It is argued that African- American women’s lasciviousness is used as an excuse to justify the white men’s violence and authority (Holland 2009).

It was reported that both Jackson and Timberlake apologized for allowing their dance performance or routine to go too far. Jackson stated that Timberlake and she had choreographed the song together (Strecke 2015). However, one-third of the newspaper articles stated that Timberlake denied his involvement in the orchestration of the song. The writers for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and The Boston Globe stated that Timberlake apologized for the incident and further said it as ‘totally regrettable’ and ‘unintentional’ (Holland 2009). However, other articles in Daily News and Columbus Dispatch stated that Timberlake was not totally innocent and Janet was ready with her lacy red garment under her outfit. It is interpreted that Timberlake’s involvement in the case was at minimal and it was only Jackson who used Justin as a pawn to make her career. Timberlake claimed that Janet blind-sided him with her breast-baring incident (Holland 2009).

Due to the controversies and media reports, the people would straight away blame Janet for using her sexuality for economic gain. Justin Timberlake fan following supported him while he claimed that he had nothing to do with the incident as it was totally unintentional. He also regretted it. As Janet was portrayed as the bad one in the case, she was uninvited by CBS at Grammys. However, Justin was not just invited but he also performed on the show as the incident did not appear to be sticking to him. When Janet’s eighth album, Damita Jo was released, the first-week copies were sold enough. However, the singles received minimum airplay. It is interpreted that the incident had a negative effect on the audience due to which her work was blacklisted. After the Super Bowl performance, she was blacklisted and her music was kept off VH1, MTV and other radio stations under Viacom. The album was her lowest selling. Soon, she disappeared from the pop music scene for seven years (Holland 2009).

The incident also led to outrage among parents as they thought it must not have happened. Their children were watching the show and they would be scarred by seeing her exposed breast. Timberlake was still presenting the revisionist history of the event to ESPN Magazine. Jackson had to bear the brunt of the accusation and according to the audience; she would not have been fit for the event. Timberlake apologized at the Grammys but the audience laughed on his ridiculous apology. Some people also called it America’s unfair treatment of treating a black woman and giving power to white males (Holland 2009).

Precisely, Timberlake was posing as a victim in the scenario and Janet was deemed to be the culprit. The public reprimanded Janet for exposing her body and excusing Justin’s role in the event. The news media also justified Timberlake’s behaviour by stating that Janet must have asked for it. All the arguments created a Jezebel paradox regarding the agency and subjectivity of African-American women. Janet being represented as a sexual opportunist and not a victim of aggression clearly indicates that Jackson’s image was ruined in front of the audience. Her fan following also turned against her because of the incident. Her agency and subjectivity was reduced to a sexualized bodily container (Caudill and Mixon 2013).

Therefore, through this essay it is interpreted that the ability of an African- American woman to subvert patriarchal image depends upon their ability to control situations. It is complicated to control the Jezebel image as it is associated with image subversion. The media coverage in the newspapers and television reflect the contemporary appropriation of the Jezebel. The Super Bowl is the highest level of professional American football that is held annually. There was an incident in which a piece of Jackson’s top was removed by Timberlake exposing her right breast nipple in Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004. While Justin was performing on the song ‘Rock Your Body’, he reached to the end of the song which had its lyrics as "I'm gonna have you naked by the end of this song". The article argues about the Jezebel image giving meaning to white male privilege. The author goes back in time and discusses the origin and mythology of Jezebel who were identified as African women that are exotic and sexually insatiable breeders. The representations of the back women in hip-hop were deteriorating as they were objectified as sexual objects. They played an erotic game of cat and mouse on stage where Timberlake followed Jackson. Reaching to the end, Timberlake reached across Jackson’s body ripping her leather which exposed her right breast.

The media defenders of Jackson described the act as a sexual violence. Roxane Roberts, one of the writers at The Washington Post depicted the incident and shifted the blame to Jackson’s body as a ‘spontaneous exposure’. It is interpreted that these depictions of Jackson who is not able to control her body, white men must surely take control of it. Therefore, Janet’s costume was represented as a symbol of uncontrollability and sexual aggressiveness, which is the same as predictable behaviour of a Jezebel. Timberlake apologized at the Grammys but the audience laughed on his ridiculous apology. Some people also called it America’s unfair treatment of treating a black woman and giving power to white males. The media channels detracted attention from Timberlake’s behaviour and performance of hypersexual white masculinity. 

References

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Caudill, S.B. and Mixon Jr, F.G., 2013. Celebrity Wardrobe Malfunctions: Economic Efficiency, Property Rights Assignment, and Liability in Popular Culture. Journal of Economics and Economic Education Research, 14(2), p.37.

Cogan, M., 2014. In the Beginning, There Was a Nipple. [online] ESPN.com. Available at: <https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/10333439/wardrobe-malfunction-beginning-there-was-nipple> [Accessed 21 Oct. 2016].

Hapsis, E., 2016. Nipplegate Revisited: Why America Owes Janet Jackson a Huge Apology. [online] KQED Pop. Available at: <https://ww2.kqed.org/pop/2016/02/04/nipplegate-revisited-why-america-owes-janet-jackson-a-huge-apology/> [Accessed 21 Oct. 2016].

Holland, S., 2009. The “Offending” Breast of Janet Jackson: Public Discourse Surrounding the Jackson/Timberlake Performance at Super Bowl XXXVIII. Women's Studies in Communication, 32(2), pp.129-150.

Hutchinson, B., 2016. Nipplegate: Janet Jackson's breast exposed in halftime show. [online] NY Daily News. Available at: <https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/janet-pop-shocker-millions-view-peep-show-article-1.631297> [Accessed 21 Oct. 2016].

Kreps, D., 2014. Nipple Ripples: Revisiting Janet Jackson's Wardrobe Malfunction. [online] Rolling Stone. Available at: <https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/nipple-ripples-10-years-of-fallout-from-janet-jacksons-halftime-show-20140130> [Accessed 21 Oct. 2016].

Mail Online, 2016. Janet admits planning boob. [online] Mail Online. Available at: <https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-207344/Janet-admits-planning-boob.html> [Accessed 21 Oct. 2016].

Murphy, A., 2016. How Janet Jackson overshadowed classic Super Bowl. [online] SI.com. Available at: <https://www.si.com/nfl/2016/01/06/janet-jackson-super-bowl-halftime-show> [Accessed 21 Oct. 2016].

Reid, S., 2016. Janet, Justin, MTV Apologize For Super Bowl Flash. [online] MTV News. Available at: <https://www.mtv.com/news/1484738/janet-justin-mtv-apologize-for-super-bowl-flash/> [Accessed 21 Oct. 2016].

Strecke, E., 2015. Throwback: Justin Timberlake's Laughable Apology for Super Bowl Wardrobe Malfunction. [online] Billboard. Available at: <https://www.billboard.com/articles/events/super-bowl-2015/6451182/justin-timberlake-super-bowl-apology-grammys-wardrobe-malfunction> [Accessed 21 Oct. 2016].

Wenner, L., 2004. Recovering (From) Janet Jackson’s Breast: Ethics and the Nexus of Media, Sports, and Management. Journal of Sport Management, 18(4), pp.315-334.