Taiwanese went Gaga!

The visit of the US pop singing star in Taiwan few days ago created an enormous response to mostly young people of the island. Lady Gaga known not only for her music but most especially for her signature fashion style is indeed at the peak of her career. No one can deny the huge impact she’s creating right now as evident by people from most countries idolizing her, to the point of imitating her fashion statement. Her visit to Taiwan is a loud example. Men and women, old and young, queued for hours just to have a glimpse of the star. They even held a parade with people dressed and adorned in everything Lady G’s. Most of them even stayed overnight outside the concert arena in order not to miss the concert.

c/o nookdeejung.blogspot.com

Lady G not only shares the same massive success with talented groups and individuals like The Beatles and Michael Jackson but shares the ‘charisma’ which made them unique – conveying a powerful message.  The British group, the Beatles conveyed a message of patriotic boundaries. Michael Jackson on the other hand conveyed a message of skin-color recognition. Lady G conveyed the message of individuality – freedom from traditional rules and standards.

At first glance it would seem correct, timely and acceptable. This is what the world needs – unfaltering, daring and unyielding individuals fighting for a good cause. However if we will carefully analyze it, Lady G’s message is creating a wrong consciousness to people. It is a pity to see people personify ‘exactly’ or at times overly dressed like her who didn’t realize how ridiculous they look. These people didn’t understand that Lady G’s fashion style is what makes her stands out, original and unique. To copy her in the literal sense is an absolute idolatry. Furthermore, this instance also exposes a certain truth about these copycats mob –  that like Lady G, they found a way to express their insecurities, acrimony and loneliness brought about by strong familial, cultural and social prejudice. Like a bird free from the cage, they fly to their heart’s content, without realizing freedom entails responsibility.

I don’t have problem with asserting oneself and affirming one’s individuality but for goodness sake, express it in a universally acceptable decorum. Copying Lady G’s fashion statement will never be an expression of individual freedom, rather a ‘double imprisonment’ (pseudo-freedom). I would like to believe that Lady G’s message, as she battles her own devil, is for people to find their ‘own way’ to liberate themselves from scrupulous norms through self affirmation in a way they become better and mature individuals. Idolatry in whichever form misses the point.

Learn from Gaga, and not just went Gaga.