The Miley Cyrus VMA controversy is this decade's Janet Jackson Superbowl controversy in my opinion, and I believe it should result in a similar downfall of the star involved, so as to rescue our culture. Sounds serious? Let me explain.
When Miley Cyrus (or any other public figure) tries to challenge our shared moral sense of decency, does she really think she is hurting nobody, I wonder?
Back a few years ago, when Miley was still on the family friendly side, she proclaimed her support of marriage equality. Maybe she doesn't realise it, but by that act she brought hope a lot of people. When people see that a family friendly star is also insistent on supporting equality, they rethink their opposition to equality. Maybe after a few attempts they will see that supporting equality is an inherently logical and morally required extension of genuine family values. Maybe just as importantly, a lot of gay and lesbian people from traditional backgrounds will see someone they can identify with, as some sort of cultural hero. After all, although Lady Gaga may support marriage equality, it is hard for someone of a conservative background to identify with her.
Today, Miley has undone all that (although fortunately others like Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson have now stepped in). Even worse, she has become one of those people who are actively making a bad name for contemporary Western culture in the eyes of the world. And guess what that bad name can also transfer to? Marriage equality, or even basic gay rights, along with women's rights and gender equality, and even the very notion of Western style freedom of speech itself are possible victims, to name a few.
For those of you who never left the West and haven't had a look at the world outside the West, the rest of the world have been decrying 'Western vices' for decades now. And that kind of rally cry can then turn into programs of racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. As for myself? I morally cannot bring myself to do what Miley did, even for a million dollars, because I know the potential moral implications. If I made a living by doing that, I wouldn't be able to sleep at night, honestly.
I think the best thing that can happen now is for Miley to disappear back into anonymity, and stop destroying our culture the way she is going. And the public can make this happen, I believe. After all, in 2004 we showed our collective displeasure at Janet Jackson's actions and her career went south right away, why can't we do that with Miley too? Failure to do that would reflect badly on us indeed, I believe.
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