Author: Rebecca Rodriguez
In recent weeks, society and the media have called the role of performance art into question. Multiple news outlets, including “The Morning Call,” a daily newspaper from Pennsylvania, reported that neo-soul musician Erykah Badu may face prosecution for her newly released music video for the song “Window Seat.”
In the video, Badu strips off clothing while walking through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas (the site of John F. Kennedy’s assassination) until she is eventually nude. The final scene shows Badu completely naked reenacting a gunshot to the head and falling to the ground at the same spot President Kennedy was killed in 1963.
Despite the uproar this video has caused, we must remember that Badu and all American people are protected under the First Amendment, which preserves freedom of expression. Therefore, even though people may not support the technique and message of a particular artist, it should not stop the display of an artist’s work because it is protected by the constitution. Complaints should only be lodged against specific legal violations and nothing else.
Badu’s video was filmed in one shot without actors, permits or a camera crew. The most controversial part of the video shooting, though, was the fact that the people in the background were involuntary witnesses to Badu’s unexpected disrobing. In an interview with “The Hampton Press,” Kamili Miller and Dorothy Williams, who witnessed the event, both said, “Some people may call it art . . . it’s just tasteless and classless.” Other witnesses found the location of Badu’s video, in addition to her actions, offensive.
Witness Ida Espinosa decided to press charges of disorderly conduct against Badu. She has filed currently undisclosed sworn statements with the Dallas police department. In the state of Texas under Penal Code, Title IX, Section 42, disorderly conduct is a Class C misdemeanor resulting in a fine up to $500. Legally, it is fair that Badu is facing these charges from Espinosa. She did film the video without proper permits and broke a local law while doing so. However, this monetary fine should be the extent of Badu’s punishment. It is not fair to condemn her expression.
In response to these charges, Badu stated to The Dallas Morning News that her video was “a protest” focusing on “liberating yourself.” Badu’s statement makes it clear that her primary purpose was to get her message across, rather than offend the people of Dealey Plaza.
Badu violated laws and thus should face subsequent prosecutions. Her video and the consequences she might face for it, however, do not signify the loss of free expression for performance artists. Ultimately, artists should not be judged according to social norms, but when they break laws, as Badu did, they, like all other citizens, must face the consequences of illegal actions.
Badu, along with other performance artists, should be able to express their messages in any fashion. Art should not be restricted if it does not violate any laws. True, Badu’s work was not censored, but her decision to act in violation of legislation has placed her in a position to be attacked for her work. Perhaps, in her effort to “liberate” herself, she’s managed to cage herself.
Rebecca Rodriguez is an undeclared first-year. She can be reached at rebeccarodriguez@oxy.edu.
This article has been archived, for more requests please contact us via the support system.
