Hidden in Plain Sight (Response to New York Times Article The A.S.L. Interpretation of ‘WAP’ Was TikTok Gold. It’s Also a Problem.)

I'll just jump right into it. The very last paragraph in this article  is the most crucial part 

"After this viral moment, Black and deaf content creators hope to see the spotlight on themselves next time, and at least have this be an opportunity for people to learn more about accessibility. 'I want people to think of what the deaf community goes through every day,' Ms. Sutton said. 'Learn A.S.L. to provide access, not so you can do a song that goes viral.'"  

Everything else after this statement is fluff. I'd still highly suggest you read it to get the full context. Wonderfully written and well expressed and respectfully excluding the crude lyrics. That in itself is the problem that's only been best expressed through American Sign Language. This song is not an Anthem Call promoting this sex work. The ASL interpreter is relaying a message that this is a possible cry for help.

Read the lyrics to WAP at your own risk. I won't poison your eyes. Be warned. It's crude. It's happening to all women. This song in particular is perpetuating much of the abuse, abuse already plaguing communities of color.

Let me jump to another example. The movie The Car Wash. The character Abdul.

He is angry and had a chip on his shoulder. Why such anger?! He could see the truth and was trying to expose the true agenda enslaving people of color. No one wanted to hear. Just sing along with Richard Pryor and the Pointer Sisters, That's what we all do.  "You got to believe in something. Why not Believe in me?!" They sing.

(forgotten prostitute)

We sing along, dance like robots. It's all in good fun of course. Much like The Wiz! You've Got To BE SEEN WEARING GREEN! ONLY!"Emerald Green Song

WAP. Perform. Faust. I recall attending the Fresno Grand Opera to see Faust performed. The Satan type Character was played by a charming Asian man. (I met him after the show. Lovely man.) During the performance he and the main character are walking through the town while singing. At one point during the performance the crowd of people are separated into two sides. He points his hand to the left and the townspeople are caught up in a possessed frenzy at the hand of Satan. While singing still he moves his hand to the opposite side where his power captures the other set of townspeople, throwing them into a frenzy. 

The song is moving and arousing. When finished, on perfect point, he points to, we the audience, completely captivated and thrown into a round of applause on his command. We got lulled right in. He subtly BROKE the FOURTH WALL and pulled us into his performance. We're all victim to it.

Here I break a wall. Black women have high death rates in childbirth. Some of the Highest Domestic Violence Abuse, murder victims. THE LIST goes on. Highest Abortion. Small Population of US Population.  Why is this happening? This was not always our culture. 

There's much much to be said on these issues listed above. We could spend months. But for now. The wall must be broken. WAP is not an anthem to be celebrated. If women are more vulnerable than men, if black women are more vulnerable to white women, if a deaf person is also more vulnerable than the average person, combined, it looks as if there are silent victims out there. 

IT's beyond clear and obvious that there are many victims of human trafficking. There are also willing participants. I'm not demanding a ban on sex work. What they're demanding is much much better treatment. We're demanding more access to the vulnerable. To this end I'll finish where I started.

"After this viral moment, Black and deaf content creators hope to see the spotlight on themselves next time, and at least have this be an opportunity for people to learn more about accessibility. “I want people to think of what the deaf community goes through every day,” Ms. Sutton said. “Learn A.S.L. to provide access, not so you can do a song that goes viral.”"