Photo by Ebru Yildiz
Shilpa Ray’s latest single “Heteronormative Horseshit Blues” is a gorgeous and relatable takedown of the toxic expectations inherent in heterosexual relationships. Culturally, women expect to be mistreated and taken for granted in their relationships with men. Even if they don’t consciously recognize it’s happening to them, they end up baring the emotional brunt of their men’s egos and often disdain. Sure these things can be possible in homosexual relationships as well, but it’s not as insidious. Men are taught from birth that they matter more than women. Women are taught to please men.
Shilpa Ray sings about walking on eggshells and the poisonous man in her life against a hazy backdrop that would be more at home in a vintage romance movie. The bluesy lounge music and the softness with which Shilpa Ray sings of her abuse makes it difficult to see at first just how sad this situation is. Shilpa Ray dresses in a flirtatious Marilyn Monroe wig, while her male counterpart (affectionately named Danny LeDouche, whom she also plays convincingly enough in a greasy wig and mustache) obliviously fixes his hair. The video is a collaboration with Amos Poe and is both hilarious and heartbreaking.
“Straight culture is in dire need of a reform/defund/abolishment discussion,” says Shilpa. It’s true, but one wonders if men are even open to reforming a societal expectation that benefits them so strongly. Maybe we should show them this video.
