“You are worth more than your body or your sexual appeal.”
These were some of the words Sinéad O’Connor used in her open letter to Miley Cyrus after the latter stated that O’Connor’s “Nothing Compares 2 U” inspired “Wrecking Ball.”
The last time O’Connor had this much media attention on her was arguably in 1992 when she ripped up a photo of the Pope following an a cappella cover of Bob Marley’s “War” on SNL. So obviously, O’Connor is no stranger to the power of controversy, voicing her opinion, and standing up for what she believes in.
The letter she wrote is a criticism of the music industry and an empowering message to ladies everywhere.
“The music business doesn’t give a shit about you, or any of us,” O’Connor bluntly writes. “They will prostitute you for all you are worth, and cleverly make you think its what YOU wanted.”
She also goes on to praise Cyrus’s talents and advises her to remember that she is still a role model for females, whether she wants to be or not.
To those who think Cyrus is just a trashy, talentless Disney has-been, I recommend checking out her cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” and momentarily suspending any judgment you may have after watching her VMA performance. Because the undeniable fact is that Cyrus does have talent.
O’Connor said Cyrus isn’t a hopeless case, and writes the letter as a warning. A warning “said with motherliness and love,” and a warning that in the grand scheme of things, isn’t directed solely at Cyrus herself.
Unfortunately, the world we live in today is one in which women can be objectified at any slight turn of events, whether it be wearing short skirts or simply walking down the street. They become “prey to animals,” as O’Connor puts it, and although we have come far in terms of women’s rights, we are not at the point where women can still be respected no matter how much of themselves they put out there.
Therefore, as much as some feminists can argue that women should be able to walk around practically naked and no male should so much as bat an eye, this is not a possibility in our society today.
O’Connor is aware of this and addresses the issue intelligently and with a genuine display of sincerity and concern towards Cyrus, her talents, and the way she handles her career.
