Katy Perry Photo Shoot

[Bluebird]

Knife crime is a big deal here in Scotland. In Glasgow especially, it having the highest murder rate in Western Europe, a lot of people carry knives.
From an article in 2003:

The Scottish Executive published the country's annual homicide statistics. They revealed that the number of Scots killed last year was one of the highest in Europe, with Glasgow its most dangerous city....Figures show that violent deaths in Glasgow are at their highest level for seven years and that the murder rate per head of population is higher than Belfast, double that of London and almost four times the EU average.

Source



And yet Katy Perry had a photo shoot in which one of the photos she is seen posing with a flick knife 'to look edgy'.

Great role model, don't you think?

As if her songs weren't annoying enough...

 

[Lyri]

I think it's irresponsible and comepltely stupid to do something like this. I saw this in the newspaper this morning and I was absolutely disgusted. She should know better, really. Young children are going to be looking up to her, and she's seen bradishing a knife? Idiot girl.

'Katy Perry has a knife, I should get one too. She looks wicked cool.'

Please.

 

[Harley]

My curiosity wonders why you would point out this incident specifically? There are a lot of artists who promote things that society doesn't approve of. A lot of artists in the hip-hop genre glorify gang activity. A lot of "girl bands" dress inappropriately for a younger crowd. I don't understand the reason behind this specific mention.

 

[Lyri]

Because here in the UK, knife crime, and fatal stabbings have been increasing exponentially over the last year or so. One of the stars of the new Harry Potter movie was stabbed to death quite recently.

This is the first time a prominent Bristish artist has done something like this, posed with a weapon. (at least, as far as I'm aware) Katy Perry is relatively new, her first single has just been released, which went to #1. I think she's trying to create some stir to give herself more publicity, I fear this is going to be quite bad for her.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

I am all for it, actually. I think it is wonderful. You have to realize that many people dont read nor watch the news, and some of those that do are simply indifferent. By her (and I have no clue who she is) posing with the knife, people will latch on to that image - such as Bluebird did- and bring the topic to the foreground. Celebrity is always (nowadays at least) more newsworthy than actual news. Regardless of her motives, this will being the topic up for discussion much more often than a newspaper or TV report.

 

[Lyri]

I still think it incredibly irresponsible. Nothing should convince anyone who is in the public eye and looked up to by children and teenagers to pose with any kind of weapon, especially a 21 year old woman. It's sending out the wrong message, and I can see the headlines of the next fatal stabbing already, she'll be held responsible for encoraging people to carry knives.

 

[Blondie Bear]

I think that knifings are merely a symptom, and knives merely a tool, of a deeper problem with society. And I think we put too much on celebrities as "role models"; for the most part, they just want to make cool movies/music and never asked to be anyone's role model, and it's not really right of us to expect a certain kind of behavior out of them because of our expectations.

Just my $.02

 

[Skanky Vamp]

I still think it incredibly irresponsible. Nothing should convince anyone who is in the public eye and looked up to by children and teenagers to pose with any kind of weapon, especially a 21 year old woman. It's sending out the wrong message, and I can see the headlines of the next fatal stabbing already, she'll be held responsible for encoraging people to carry knives.

It is irresponsible, Lyri, but if through those irresponsible actions an opportunity for enlightenment and good can come, then you have to be grateful for that.

Maybe when there is a next stabbing and her name is mentioned in conjunction it will make more of an impact. You have to make the system (as screwed up as it is) work for you.

 

[Lyri]

But the media will put pressure on her. She'll be blamed if and when the next stabbing happens.

Whether they want to be role models or not, that's what they are.

 

[Blondie Bear]

Society is monumentally screwed up. You know that, evolutionarily speaking, we're only supposed to live in tribes of 100-150? No wonder we can't get along.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

But the media will put pressure on her. She'll be blamed if and when the next stabbing happens.

But more than her was in on the photo shoot; people knew the risks, they just figured the rewards would be better. There is no such thing as bad publicity. Especially in sports & entertainment industry.

 

[Perny]

That's the stupidest!!!!

Young people today are so stupid that if a famous person does something, they copy it!


She should have a kick in the butt

 

[Blondie Bear]

Maybe we should be blaming parents who don't STOP young kids from emulating celebrities instead of the celebrities.

 

[Perny]

^Yeah, but in case you haven't noticed:

Young people doesn't listen to their parents! It's not about being a good kid, it's about being cool. And a rebel. Celebs also have a responsibilty. They affect the young people. Parents can't do much, and most of them doesn't even care what their kids are doing

 

[Blondie Bear]

^ Parents can't do much because the government has crippled their ability to administer corporal punishment. There's a lot parents COULD do, if the government would butt out.

Speaking of butting out, I'm going to butt out of this thread, cause this has the potential to turn into a big screaming fight and I love you guys too much to let it come to that.

 

[Faith]

It is irresponsible, Lyri, but if through those irresponsible actions an opportunity for enlightenment and good can come, then you have to be grateful for that.

Maybe when there is a next stabbing and her name is mentioned in conjunction it will make more of an impact. You have to make the system (as screwed up as it is) work for you.

While it is a good talking point for those of us that see the issues of this, how many younger kids/teenagers will see the points that we are making and agree with them. More than likely they will think its cool. Those that are independent enough will know what the problem is, a case of 'If he jumped off a bridge would you?' Those who are easily led won't get the impact itself.

It may be the case as you mentioned below that it was the photographer that brought it all about but as a person you should be able to talk for yourself and have the final say if you want to do something or not. Its probably just the case that she didn't think and thanks to the media bringing it to light I would expect the standard apology tomorrow and her supporting some anti-knife crime organisation.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

Parents can't do much,

That is a LOAD of crap.. that is just an EXCUSE not to try.

and most of them doesn't even care what their kids are doing

That is more accurate for many I fear.


I know perndog.. I followed ya.. it's all good

 

[Bluebird]

People should be held responsible for their actions and not blame them on celebrity role models. But that's not to say that it kids won't stop copying people they look up to. She knows this, her record company knows this, and the photographer knows it. And they all still went through with it because it looks 'cool'. She is a mainstream, massive-selling artist so glamourising knives for publicity is a bit stupid me thinks. Or maybe I'm just biased in this opinion because of the crazy amount of stabbings and murder I see here.

 

[Mozzymandias]

I know this is a different thing but did anyone here about the jackets TK Max were selling which had a knife attached to them.

I mean it was in the middle of a big government campaign against knife crime and all that, I really don't know how they were even able to get to the shelves around every store across the UK.

On the Photo: What possessed someone to pose with a knife probably full knowing the state of Britain and it's knife crime increase.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

She is a mainstream, massive-selling artist so glamourising knives for publicity is a bit stupid me thinks.

It doesnt matter if it is stupid or not, Blues.. it will SELL ALBUMS, or downloads. The picture is worth money, and that is all they care about.