A Thin Line Between Art and Obscenity

As I read the various tweets and Facebook statuses about Erykah Badu's new video for her single "Window Seat", I prepared myself to see a video in the ranks of MJ's "Thriller." People were raving via the internet's social networking sites about how the video is "revolutionary" and how it will "change the music industry forever." So when I rushed to youtube to see the hottest thing since the snuggie, I see the video and wonder what the hype was about. I thought to myself "Yo, she is crazy! She just got buck naked in front of all them kids... and it's REAL!"
As the days went on, I noticed more and more supporters of Badu (who is one of my favorite artists ever by the way) tweeting her and making comments saying that she is a creative genius for the video and people were writing articles disecting the video and the true meaning behind it all. As a true fan of her music and of her, I had to think without bias about what's going on here. Is the video really that deep or did she just get naked in slow motion?
Erykah was fined for stripping in public and those same tweeters and Facebookers were enraged. "They don't understand her and true art," said the tweeters. "She's a revolutionary who's being persecuted for opening the eyes of the masses!" exclaimed the bloggers. I, again without bias, asked myself: "If this were someone else, how different would the reactions be?" Because Erykah Badu has a reputation for being artistic, different, and revolutionary, many people felt that it was a very deep and creative video. Think about what those same people would say if Nicki Minaj did the video instead of Badu. I think their reaction would be slightly more toward "Nicki Minaj lacks class and is a hoe, skank, skallywag.. " and so on.
Also, many of these people dont know that Badu got the idea from Matt and Kim's "Lesson Learned" video which is the exact same premise minus the references to the JFK assasination. People who were outraged that Badu was repremaned for her actions need to realize that she broke the law, whether they think nudity is too taboo in our nation or not.
Is there a real profound message behind the video's concept? Yes, there is. Do I think stripping in a public place that is crowded with children was the only effective way that this message could've been presented? Absolutely not. I love Ms. Badu and practically every project she makes, but I think some of her fans need to get a grip on reality. Certain artists are given a pass to do crazy, outlandish things due to a preconceived reputation for being artistically edgy (i.e. Badu, Lady Gaga) while others are viewed as obscene if they were to do the same things. Who is the judge of where we draw the line between art and obscenity? And does EVERYTHING that artists like Badu do have to be extremely profound and deep? I really dont know the answer to either but its just something to think about... With that said, make sure you get Erykah Badu's new album New Amerykah Part 2: Return of the Ankh. Its quality music during a time when quality is very hard to come by in music stores.