If Pop is Hip, Is Weird In?

The not-so-secret secret is that I am obsessed with Pop Music.  I'm often found going through the top 40 on the radio as I bounce around in my car- The Gay Disco.  Pop music matches the colorful flare of the interior of my ride, and my freakish need to sing and dance as I drive. I have to admit I have a preference for Pop Princesses.  It's easier for me to sing, and I (usually) enjoy the cheesy over-sexualized lyrics coming from a lady's mouth much more than a dude's.

I can't help but see connections among the things in popular culture that I love the best.  Here's my arguement: This past year has seen a serious trend towards giving props to the freaks of the world.  In many popular songs (specifically by ladies) being original, different, or...a freak, has become the thing to strive towards.  I think this is significant...and I'll explain why after I lay out my evidence.

Evidence #1- Pink "Raise your Glass":

So raise your glass if you are wrong,
In all the right ways,
All my underdogs,
We will never be never be anything but loud
And nitty gritty dirty little freaks

Evidence #2 - Katy Perry "Firework"

You don't have to feel like a waste of space
You're original, cannot be replaced
If you only knew what the future holds
After a hurricane comes a rainbow

Evidence #3 -

Lady Gaga's entire fucking discography and message...pretty much.

Evidence #4 Ke$ha "Take It Off"

There's a place downtown,
Where the freaks all come around.
It's a hole in the wall.
It's a dirty free for all.

Evidence #5- Katy Perry- Last Friday Video

Evidence #6 (kinda not-connected, but I argue SIGNIFICANT!) - Glee

Glee is a show where the weirdo's are often the hero's.  Things that often make kids targets in high school (like being gay or fat, using a wheelchair, being super annoying, and many other blatantly stereotyped caricatures) are often portrayed as the things that make characters unique, special, or strong. 

Ok. Ok. I think that's enough evidence.  Here's why I think this is both AWESOME and kinda scary...

Awesome: By focusing on the individual, the message I'm getting from pop culture could be seen as having feminist of queer theoretical roots.  If it's cool to be you, do you, and love yourself...than people who have typically been targeted for harrassment, called weirdos, and felt bad for not being normal...suddenly have a some social capital!  It is an approach which celebrates difference. I see potential (albeit small) for this to be carried over into a culture that encourages it's members to respect people who are different- culturally, in body, with who they wanna smooch, with how much money they have...etc...  

Problem: Many of these messages are wrapped up with hyper-sexualized images and lots of drinking! Instead of the message being, "Be cool with who you are because each individual person should  be seen as a significant and important person, to be treated with respect!", now the message gets blurred into "If you're a freak, don't worry about it.  Get wasted and have fun (fun = be very very sexual), and it'll all get better soon!"  Now why would I, a self identified sex-positive activist, have a problem with a message that tells people that sex = happy!! Basically, I think that the kind of sex being sold in these songs and by these artists, is still a dangerous sexual message that supports the whore/madonna complex for women in our society. 

I also see so many references to glitter and rainbows.  I can't help but think that this love of FABULOUS!, which has more traditionally saddled up within the gay or queer community, is certainly becoming hot in mainstream culture.  I...am torn about this.  On one hand I think being encouraged to be FABULOUS! is awesome and asks people to express themselves, take risks, and be larger than life.  On the other hand- if everyone is fabulous, is it still FABULOUS!...?