Let’s start by saying that I love football, but after going to a college basketball game recently, I may need to say that I love basketball more. BUT, we can talk about that another day. Today, the day after The Big Game, everyone is talking about Jennifer Lopez and Shakira. So hey, let’s talk about it.

First off, both women had amazing hair. AH-MAZ-ING. The costume changes left me thinking how’d she do that so fast? I can’t even put my shoes on in less than 30 seconds.

I loved that there were references made to the immigration crisis and showcased support for Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rican people (who, by the way, are Americans. For those who seem to have forgotten.). The fact that the two women are Latino (with Colombian and Puerto Rican rappers added in) and were front and center on a Miami stage? Fantastic.

Now, on to the issue (issues??) that I see. Do you have to agree with me on this? Of course not, but here goes.

I LOVE SHAKIRA. She stands for so much good, especially for little ones. I heard her say in an interview once that her main love in life is education and children…that her music and record sales are simply a way to make money to pass on to these kids. (don’t quote me, I’m paraphrasing) Her performance is exactly what I was expecting. Shakira is a hip-shaker-belly-dancer (that’s a real term, dontcha know). If you didn’t know that beforehand, you missed it. Her dance was traditional belly dance infused with salsa, tango and other styles of Latin dance. Although some little parts were a bit over the top in my opinion, she nailed it.

And JLo? Eh…. now this is where I have a problem.

If you were watching, or if you want to watch just click here, you may have noticed, like me, that there were two distinct performances. We had Shakira’s more traditional belly dance-salsa-type-Colombian dance.

Then we had JLo. Listen. If I wanted my teens and preschooler to see Hustler’s, I would have bought a ticket.

And I didn’t.

So here are my questions: Why is it, that in 2020 and all of this crap about empowering women, are we STILL all about “sex sells”. I see all over my Facebook feed “Isn’t it great that she can flip around that pole at 50?” and “Absolutely wonderful for a woman her age to be able to move like that”.

Yes, she’s in shape. No, what she did to show that wasn’t necessary. Did she think they said “stripper pole” instead of “Super Bowl”?

I had someone respond to my “sex sells” comment and say “I didn’t like it because “sex sells”. I thought it was just entertainment.” Sure. A strip club is entertainment, too, but it doesn’t belong on prime time TV during a family-oriented show. There’s also the argument that “it’s not like kids/girls haven’t seen this before.” Um okay. Let’s put it all over a family-friendly show and ram it down their throats because “they’ve seen it before”…??

If Jennifer Lopez wants to empower women, how about she uses a different marketing model than grinding on the floor and grabbing her crotch while little girls and teens watch from their sofas at home? Have some dignity if you want to promote dignity.

I like this argument, too: What’s the big deal? She had on a fully nude-colored bodysuit and nobody could see her skin!! BUT THE IDEA OF A SKIN COLORED BODYSUIT IS THAT IT LOOKS JUST LIKE SKIN. So, although she was “not showing skin” she gives off the idea that she is and that leaves little to the imagination. More objectification of women that women are okay with.

It was during the nude-colored-body suit when she repeatedly grabs her crotch. Then slides, crotch first, to the camera. And did everyone overlook the pole dancing song being Waiting for Tonight, as she slid down, legs spread and surrounded by men? Is this what we are calling ‘amazing entertainment” and something for our “girls to look up to”?

And how about this? Somehow, women can easily swing between the positive body image movement and Her Body is Amazing Why Can’t I Look Like That mentality. And do it all in front of our kids. Where we TELL THEM they are worthy and beautiful, but what we really mean is THAT is worthy and beautiful. Disgusting. Thanks, Super Bowl for shoving the objectivity of women into our faces. I guess whoever is in charge doesn’t realize (or care, because again, sex sells it all) they’ve screwed up all that moms and dads have built up for years and years.

One step forward, 27 steps back.

And let us not forget that we saw Demi Lovato knock the house down with the national anthem. A woman who is standing in the public eye AND overcoming addiction. Not to mention she was appropriately dressed. A woman who has made poor choices in her life, admits it, asks for help, and moves on bigger and stronger. And how about Katie Sowers? The first female coach in the Super Bowl (and openly gay). Can you imagine how she has clawed her way to the top in an environment full of men? Yet all people are talking about The Sex Sells Show in the middle of the biggest sex trafficking place of the year, the Super Bowl. Oh yeah, Demi and Katie are great and all, yet let’s talk about how a 50-year-old woman can work a pole in front of millions of people at 7:30pm on Sunday; during a family-friendly show.

CAN YOU PEOPLE WAKE UP?! WOMEN ESPECIALLY?!

Because if you demand respect and are tired of being treated as an object; if you’d like to see equal pay in the workplace; if you’d like to be more than just a thing…then don’t scream out that the performance was “just entertainment”. Because that “entertainment” sure does send a crappy message to girls and young women.

Stop putting women who don’t mind a bit of (or a lot of) sexual objectification on a pedestal. I’m not here for it. I’m here for the courage of Demi Lavato and Katie Sowers and I will promote that faster than any strip show on prime time television.

Finally, you want to call us “Pearl Clutchers”? Okay, um sure?? I guess wanting my girls to see something other than the My Boobs and Butt Look Great Let Me Dry Hump The Floor To Show You Just What An Amazing Woman I Am makes me a “pearl clutcher”….well then there ya go.