By now, we’ve all heard of Nicki Minaj’s tweets calling out the VMA’s for not nominating her for “Video of the Year.” Many people think that Nicki had no place to say she wasn’t nominated because of race. Some people say that her video was “soft porn” and that she shouldn’t be awarded for trashing around her “man-made parts.” But despite Minaj’s intensions, she did point out that the VMAs are indeed biased toward black women with certain body types. Only certain types of women get acknowledged, and there are double standards in place that some people don’t address.

Before I begin, I do want to point out that I don’t think women should feel compelled to sell their sexuality to be successful, and that the music industry and viewers should stop holding this as some sort of requirement to be successful.  However, I also strongly believe that women have the right to openly express their sexuality without being slut-shamed for it. My arguments are in no way favoring a certain body type over another, but instead pointing out the hypocrisy in people’s arguments against Minaj and the way she chooses to present herself.

Now, let’s touch base on some of the arguments against Minaj and take a look at both current and past VMA “Video of the Year” nominees.

1. “Why is Minaj complaining about race and body types? Beyoncé was nominated!”

Although Beyoncé is black, Beyoncé and Nicki Minaj do not have the same body types. In her tweets, Nicki mentioned both race and body types. We love to put Beyoncé on the curvy black girl pedestal, but let’s be honest. Compared to a lot of women, Beyoncé does not have the biggest butt, curviest curves, or thickest thighs on the block. Compared to women in Hollywood, yes, of course Beyoncé is curvy. But heck, Beyonce was dancing around with a thigh gap in her “7/11” music video.

Note: I am not using thigh gaps as a definite measure of curviness. Nicki Minaj has one herself in her “Anaconda” video. However, the fact is that Beyoncé is just curvy enough for Hollywood without her body being considered too vulgar or sexual. On the other hand, Nicki’s butt and curves are too much for people, even when she covers up.

2. “Why is she tossing skinny girls under the bus? Half of her body is made of silicone and augmentations.” 

I’ve seen a lot of comments like this, especially on the comment section of HuffPost Women‘s latest article about this ordeal. It’s disappointing to see these comments, especially from women who follow a feminist publication, because in this case it doesn’t really matter whether or not Nicki’s body is fake. I know it might be hard for many people to believe, but there are black women out there in the world with bodies similar to Minaj’s (maybe not as well sculpted, but still similar). So when we shame Minaj for her “disgusting,” man-made butt and hips we are indirectly shaming women who naturally look like her. And that’s simply not acceptable. 

3. “‘Anaconda’ is a horrible song and she sampled it!”

We can pull out a long list of songs that probably didn’t deserve to be nominated for “Video of the Year.” I personally don’t think “7/11” or “Bad Blood” are that great. And not to mention, if I hear “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran one more time, I cannot be held accountable for my actions because it’s driving me insane. But hey, it’s all subjective and these songs are, for the most part, picked based on popularity and influence.

4. “Nicki Minaj didn’t get nominated because her ‘Anaconda’ lyrics and video are degrading to women.” 

People like to pick apart Minaj’s lyrics and say that she is shaming skinny women. But why are we forgetting that back in 2013, “Blurred Lines,” a song that perpetuates rape culture against women, was nominated for “Video of the Year?”

This argument is frankly invalid. In the case of Robin Thicke’s video, MTV didn’t seem to care about what was considered degrading to women. And the VMAs promotes videos and live performances where sex sells, so I don’t think they consciously thought, “we can’t disrespect all women and perpetuate sex-selling by nominating ‘Anaconda’ for ‘Video of the Year.'”

5. “All that Nicki did in ‘Anaconda’ was exploit her sexuality and throw her body around.” 

Several other female artists have danced or pranced around sexually, some singing superficial lyrics, and were nominated for “Video of the Year” regardless. Let’s look at some examples and keep in mind the common thread here — it doesn’t matter how naked or provocative you get. If you are thin, you’ve got the okay for a nomination.

“Telephone” By Lady Gaga (2010 | Nominated) 

Lady Gaga literally dances around in a bra and thong with a similarly dressed posse, and then later in caution tape. Work like this from Gaga is considered artistry. However, if Nicki Minaj did those moves, she would be considered too provocative and slutty because her exposed, curvy body would overwhelm people.

“ART” | “INNOVATIVE” | “ACCEPTED” 

“DEGRADING” |  “A STEP BACK FOR WOMEN” | “INAPPROPRIATE”

 

“Wrecking Ball” By Miley Cyrus (2014 | Winner)

You know, the one where she’s completely naked while riding a big ball, seductively touching herself, and french kissing a hammer. She won, of course.

 

“When I Grow Up” By The Pussycat Dolls (2008 | Nominated)

This band and this song had so many sexual overtones. But their thin bodies perfectly complemented their synchronized dancing and snagged them a nomination despite their superficial lyrics.

 

“Womanizer” By Britney Spears (2009 | Nominated)

This music video once again proved that it was okay to be completely naked but only in small doses.

 

“Lady Marmalade” By Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya, Pink and Missy elliott (2001 | Winner)

“Would you like to sleep with me tonight” are the most memorable lyrics from this “Video of the Year.” Even though this ensemble featured three black women, Lil’Kim and Missy Elliott were the only notably curvy ones, and Missy was fully dressed and only briefly shown. The other three girls were pretty slim. Nonetheless, this very provocative burlesque-themed video won in 2001.

 

6. “Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood” video sets a good example and Nicki Minaj’s video is a menace.”

I’m not going to argue who’s the better role model. But people are acting like Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood” video is so innocent and doesn’t put down other body types. And no, she doesn’t have song lyrics calling out a body type like “skinny bitches” or anything. But are we going to elect to ignore the fact that Taylor, the all and mighty born-again feminist, only features thin women in her music video?

Even though Taylor Swift and her predominately white gal-pal crew aren’t shaking their bodies everywhere, they are strutting around in provocative bad-ass outfits that sport their conventionally beautiful skinny bodies. And whether Taylor and her fans like it or not, the “Bad Blood” video does slip into “sex-sells” clichés like “slim women skilled with dangerous weapons who dress not in practical fighting gear but in sexy and revealing outfits that offer no protection.”

 

So there you have it. You can dislike Nicki Minaj all you want and say that she’s just finding something to hate on because that’s her style. But people should stop using these arguments because they are weak and hypocritical. Let’s stop getting so worked up about this “feud” and direct our attention toward the double standards the music industry has for women of color with curvy figures.

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