Bel on P!nk

Bel Says:

Has she gone too far?

I am a HUGE fan of P!nk. Probably one of the biggest moments of my life was having her reach out to me and make hand contact at the last concert I attended. It didn’t change my life or anything, but to me it’s a nice moment to reflect on.

She’s not afraid to sing about the elephant in the room. To confront us with issues most of us would rather sweep under the carpet than actually deal with. Her latest video and song release is breaking all her previous records for creating controversy.

The clip for F**ing Perfect shows us the poignant moments in a life that may not be too far from the truth for far too many teens. Drug use, shop lifting, bullying, self-harm and self-esteem issues are all put under the spotlight.

It is really quite graphic. Not something I would want to be shown on Video Hits at 9am on a Saturday. Or something I would be letting my 9-year-old daughter view any time in the near future. On the other hand, if it makes parents take a look at their kids, helps one kid to reach out for help, triggers a friend to intervene in a situation they can see may turn into something more, then it’s worth all the noses out of joint.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qSwpHXVigY
You know it must be controversial when the artist herself felt the need to put a statement on her website on the day of the video release.

“JANUARY 20, 2011, 2:51 pm
A Personal Note From P!nk:
I’m sure my newest video for “F**kin’ Perfect” will be much like some of my other videos, which basically means I expect it will ruffle some feathers.
My favorite books, art pieces, films, and music, always have something jarring about them. I want art to make me think.
In order to do that, it may piss me off, or make me uncomfortable. That promotes awareness and change, or at least some discussion.
That is my intention.
You can’t move mountains by whispering at them.
Cutting, and suicide, two very different symptoms of the same problem, are gaining on us. (the problem being; alienation and depression. the symptoms; cutting and suicide). I personally don’t know a single person who doesn’t know at least two of these victims personally. A lot of us have seen certain starlets showing off their latest scars on a red carpet somewhere, usually right before they head back to their favorite rehab.
Its a problem, and its something we should talk about.
We can choose to ignore the problem, and therefore ignore this video, but that won’t make it go away.
I don’t support or encourage suicide or cutting.
I support the kids out there that feel so desperate/numb/powerless, that feel unseen and unheard, and can’t see another way.. I want them to know I’m aware. I have been there. I see them.
Sometimes that’s all it takes.
Making this video was a very emotional experience for me, as was writing this song. I have a life inside of me, and I want her or him to know that I will accept him or her with open and loving and welcoming arms. And though I will prepare this little munchkin for a sometimes cruel world, I will also equip this kid to see all the beauty in it as well. There are good people in this world that are open-minded, and loving. There are those that accept us with all of our flaws. I do that with my fans/friends, and I will do that with my child, whoever they decide to be.

If you or someone you know needs help, please visit TWLOHA. In Australia, we generally turn to Lifeline, Kids Helpline, or Beyond Blue. Our message is the same though. If you, or someone you know needs help, please contact one of the outlets above.

You are all special. You are all worth it. You are all perfect. Nobody has the right to make you believe otherwise.
So did P!nk go too far this time? No, I don’t think so.