Media Journal Entry #8

I feel Ani Difranco touches on many subjects relevant to media literacy discourse, in particular femininity and empowerment. Shameless is one of her more popular songs, and thus more accessible video wise, however despite its catchy appeal, the song addresses conventional codes of fidelity and faithfulness and stigmatisms surrounding females in conventional society. Some lyrics include:

"i gotta cover my butt 'cuz i covet
another man's wife
i got to divide my emotions
between wrong and right
then i get to see how close i can get to it
without giving in
then i get to rub up against it
till i break the skin
rub up against it
till i break the skin

they're gonna be mad at us
they're gonna be mad at me and you…

just please don't name this
please don't explain this
just blame it all on me
say i was shameless
say i couldn't slow it down
let alone stop it
and say you just hung around
'cuz you couldn't top it"

Ambiguity exists as to the main message of this song however I personally draw from it meanings of shame projected toward females for the expression of interior desire and passion. The song may be discussing an affair however it still addresses the ways in which female expression is frowned upon and females are left defined as "shameless". Although not her best song, it's a good'n.