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The University of Utah's Independent Student Voice

The Daily Utah Chronicle

The University of Utah's Independent Student Voice

The Daily Utah Chronicle

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Justin Bieber’s new single reflects society’s lack of understanding about consent

In the past few years, Justin Bieber has been raising eyebrows in the media. In his transition from adorable teenage pop star to sex-crazed, mildly-aggressive mess, he has run into multiples issues with the law, from marijuana possession to DUI to tickets for drag racing. All of these crimes, however, seem like petty celebrity cries for attention when measured next to his latest faux pas: revealing that he, as well as much of America, does not actually know what consent is.

I’m not going to lie — his latest song, “What Do You Mean?” is incredibly catchy. He sounds great, and the beat is fantastic — the issue lies with the lyrics. The following phrases repeat multiple times throughout the song: “What do you mean/ when you nod your head yes/ but you wanna say no?/ […] You’re so indecisive of what I’m saying/ trying to catch the beat, make up your heart./ Don’t know if you’re happy, or complaining.” Below is the link to the music video:

So what exactly does she mean when she nods her head yes, but she wants to say no? IT MEANS NO, JUSTIN. It really is that simple. Consent in today’s society is a tricky subject — it does not get the sufficient amount of discussion it deserves, and many gray areas have developed with society’s newfound ability to be open about sexuality. “Gray rape,” or sex that falls somewhere between consensual and non-consensual, has sparked conversation. There are layers to consent that not all people take into consideration — physical, mental, relaxed and repetitive. The person must be physically awake and responsive in order to give consent, as well as mentally willing. In the mental sense, it is important to remember that if someone feels highly pressured into any act of sex, it does not count as consensual, and that even if you and another person have engaged in sexual acts before, you cannot assume that the other person is willing to again.

bieber cartoon

So when a multi-millionaire celebrity decides he can pressure his partner into making up their mind on the spot, why should the average listener think any differently for themselves? The lyric “don’t know if you’re happy or complaining” becomes an even greater jab at his partner because it bases her worth in this act on whether or not she happens to be pleased or annoyed by his persistence. While it is a fictitious scenario (in this specific music video, at least), this lyric refuses to accept the mental and emotional state of both parties, which is a vital step in any consensual sexual act.

While the lyrics may seem vague enough for some to claim that I am taking his meaning out of context, if you simply watch the video, the message comes across pretty clearly. Bieber and his fellow actress bounce between contemplation and engagement, only to be driven out and captured by masked men. Was this casual act of violence all a ploy to get his “indecisive” girl into the nightclub?

Besides being unable to decipher the strange meaning behind a strange artist’s music video, I am also unable to decipher just how exactly Justin Bieber continues to stay relevant, as well as continuing to produce music magnifying 2015’s lack of knowledge and respect in a very serious and important realm — consent.

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