Glitter corsets, silk nightgowns lined with fuzz, and colorful platform heels are all part of the iconic costumes Sabrina Carpenter has been wearing on her “Short n’ Sweet” tour.
The 25-year-old pop star has been changing up her brand, wearing lingerie in Instagram posts and posing on stage suggestively for her new album.
All the flirtatious posing has caused controversy.
Hateful comments have filled Carpenter’s Instagram posts with people accusing her of having no talent and selling herself because of her attire. Carpenter talked in a Time interview about how despite the tours success, she still encounters the “occasional mother” that has a strong opinion on how she should be dressing.
“And to that I just say, don’t come to the show and that’s OK. It’s unfortunate that it’s ever been something to criticize, because truthfully, the scariest thing in the world is getting up on a stage in front of that many people and having to perform as if it’s nothing. If the one thing that helps you do that is the way you feel comfortable dressing, then that’s what you’ve got to do,” said Carpenter in the interview.
Judging women’s outfits is not uncommon in the music industry, many female musicians have faced backlash for their clothing. Madonna, Brittney Spears, Rihanna, and many more have experienced similar criticism for being too suggestive in how they dress.
Tracey Thomasey, Healthy Relationship and Violence Prevention Program Director at Neumann University, backs Carpenter and is glad she pushed back.
“We should be able to safely wear things that make us feel good about ourselves. True for Carpenter when she’s performing or when she’s walking down the street,” said Thomasey.
This issue is one faced by women all over the world. Women have to deal with people who believe what a woman wears defines her and how she should be treated.
This type of thinking can become very harmful very quickly. Public attitudes about how women’s attire account for sexual harassment, anything from being cat-called to raped, are historically ingrained. Research indicates that people use a victim’s clothing to make assumptions and say things like they were asking for it, if the victim was in more promiscuous clothing.
When this happens, the blame shifts from the accused offender to the victim. Victim blaming plays a huge role in rape culture, environments in which rape is common or accepted.
Bonnie Yake, assistant Dean of Students for Counseling, Health, and Well-Being explains that to reduce this kind of judgment, we need to teach people not to blame the victim as well as to take responsibility for their actions.
“First be aware of what it is and then be able to point it out in respectful, constructive ways,” said Yake, adding that college is an important place to discuss these matters.
College institutions have unfortunately been known to cover up assaults, as explored in “The Hunting Ground” documentary.
Neumann however is actively trying to combat this problem in society. The university has worked with a nonprofit organization called ‘Take Back the Night’ which holds events at hundreds of campuses across the U.S.
Take Back the Night includes speakers and a march across campus and focuses on advocating for victims. Neumann also included the “Clothesline Project,” a visual display of t-shirts created by survivors of any kind of abuse.
Thomasey helped coordinate the t-shirt event to “raise awareness of the right to be safe on campus.”
“It brings attention to issues that people often try to ignore or avoid discussing. I think it’s powerful because it encourages the processing of difficult emotions, which is so important for healing. It also shows students that they aren’t alone,” said Angelina Sims, a junior social work major,” she said.
The university has resources for anyone who has experienced any type of harassment.
The Counseling Center and TimleyCare are both resources for students struggling to recover from abuse.
Sarah Williamson, one of Neuman’s Title IX coordinators is another resource for students.
“Our primary goal is to ensure a safe and supportive environment for all students and employees. We are dedicated to providing resources, support, and a clear process for reporting and addressing incidents of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual misconduct, please reach out to us at [email protected] or visit our website at https://www.neumann.edu/titlenine/,” she said in an email.
