Revenge of the iconic 90s witch hunt #1
These days many of us who grew up in the 90s do remember their youth as the best years they had. Those were the days. When we were free, without the internet, social media, smartphones and all other gadgets to track our whereabouts. We could do whatever we wanted and the world did. The question is, were these really the glory days of all time or was it all a great mess that led to all the so-called high tech protection we now know in this world?
Were we all too spoiled these days, that the chaos we created screamed for necessary measures to be taken with which we live now?
Recently I watched a documentary about the Spice Girls. Yes, the Spice Girls and I will acknowledge that I’ve had a couple of singles from this girlband. If I remember correctly it was Say You’ll Be There and Who Do You Think You Are. When they entered the charts with Wannabe, I really had no idea what I was looking at, all I knew was that I did listen to it. They just captured your attention. I wasn’t a big fan, but I did think they were fascinating.
The same goes with Britney Spears. Here she is again. I wasn’t a fan, I didn’t even have any singles of her, but I could sing all her songs. Her music videos were fascinating. For me it was the choreography, that seemed so simple but was difficult to imitate.
When it came to the Spice Girls and Britney Spears I wasn’t really impressed, but they were part of my youth. Their music ruled the days and I did enjoy it. Next to their music, they of course ruled the media, MTV, the Dutch music channel TMF and lots and lots of magazines. Even the articles in the magazines couldn’t bother me much and that’s probably why I wasn’t aware of their major impact in the world. For me, they were part of it and there was nothing wrong with that.
In the documentary of the Spice Girls it became clear that there were institutions who had problems with their influences. The great successes they had and the real girlpower they had. They didn’t even announce the word, they lived it and unfortunately I wasn’t fully aware of that fact. It was nice to see five women so bold in front of the camera’s, but it didn’t occur to me that it could be something society could have a problem with.
It was clear that it wasn’t appreciated that girls or even women were like the Spice Girls presented themselves. In other words, they weren’t allowed to make their own decisions, they weren’t allowed to stand up for themselves, and they weren’t allowed to have boyfriends and even become pregnant, like Victoria en Mel B. No, they were meant to obey the people, especially the men. They were meant to behave and not have a life where they make their own decisions like getting married, or having control of their own agenda. They weren’t allowed to say anything when everything just was too much and they were getting tired of the full schedules they had to follow. Nevertheless, they remained the strong girls they were and the media had no choice to go further in destroying the five women who became the role models of that time.
That’s when the paparazzi and the tabloids took more control. Publishing the meanest articles, sending photographs to catch the most humiliating moment of one of the ladies. It went on and on until it was too much for one of them. In May 1998 Geri Halliwell announced her departure from the Spice Girls and as I noticed in the documentary the way the media treated them had become too much to handle for her. She had to stop, cut herself loose from the Spice Girl mania, be on her own and follow her own path. Even though standing alone was more vulnerable than having the other four girls next to her.
Disturbing times followed. Even without Geri the other four were able to continue their shows with success, but they also started pursuing their solo careers, which was just part of growing up, exploring themselves and their lovelives. After years of solo adventures in music, entertainment and love they realized they were their greatest love, friends and allies and they were back in 2007, stronger than ever.
As for Britney Spears. She conquered the world with her sweet smile and soft voice. We witnessed her growing into a woman, who explored her sexuality in many ways. In her dressing, her dance, her image and her lovelife. It’s too bad that her life was in the spotlight and she was chased and harassed by the paparazzi that it also ruined her mental wellbeing. The mental health of Britney Spears was often photographed and it’s a shame the world, the media just let it happen for basically their own income. In the last few years it seems she is slowly gaining her freedom and finding her love again. However, it’s clear that she’s carrying a lot of damage with her of everything that she’s been through and what has done to her.
As wonderful and freeing the 90s seemed, these were also the years that damaged those who had the bravest and kindest hearts. When you look back, really look back, it seems like the truest and fierce souls were not allowed to exist. Especially women who perhaps created paths that were never taken, but with the kindest minds, were bullied, harassed and attacked the most. It seems that at the time, a greater power started with chasing those who wanted to send love into the world and if you refused to join the other side, you became the prey of those in power.
Unfortunately, the 90s were just the beginning. The world still loves to create hate and damage when it comes to people who are kind hearted, altruistic and have the greatest influence in conquering many hearts around the world. Somehow those are seen as a threat and we must wonder why. How can we see love as a threat? How can we fight the right for equality? It’s simple. Only those who do chase power and greed are able to attack the light of freedom and empowerment, but only the true hearts know their mission and will continue despite the pain. Because we have one indestructible armor called love, which will always return, stronger, dedicated and more polished than ever.
~by Pherawaty
