Business mogul and former supermodel Kathy Ireland paid tribute today to Janet Jackson on the 25th anniversary of “Rhythm Nation”:
@JanetJackson 25 years ago today, JANET emerged from every shadow & asked the world to choose equality for all through the anthem of music.
— kathy ireland (@kathyireland) September 19, 2014
@JanetJackson Power statements on Race, Gender equality, Drug Abuse & more built a "Rhythm Nation" for all. JANET did not ask us to bow.
— kathy ireland (@kathyireland) September 19, 2014
@JanetJackso She did not show us her wealth or fantasy body images. She empowered us to be our best selves. Next week, let's examine how
— kathy ireland (@kathyireland) September 19, 2014
@JanetJackson changed the world, and I believe, the people who became frightened by her clarion call for justice.
— kathy ireland (@kathyireland) September 19, 2014
@JanetJackson Happy Anniversary JANET. We owe you much and hope that our debt to your genius will be paid. xo
— kathy ireland (@kathyireland) September 19, 2014
But with all controversy surrounding the NFL and women, Ireland can’t help but think back to Super Bowl XXXVIII, in 2004, when Janet Jackson’s breast was exposed during the halftime show. Ireland believes that the way Jackson was treated in the aftermath of the infamous “wardrobe malfunction” reflected the NFL’s inherent issues with women:
@JanetJackson deliberately exploited & twisted the gifts of this artist because of her growing influence & power. The NFL issues with women
— kathy ireland (@kathyireland) September 19, 2014
@JanetJackson did not begin with this news cycle. We could have noticed when an icon was viciously attacked and boycotted in 2004. We didn't
— kathy ireland (@kathyireland) September 19, 2014
@JanetJackson notice that the woman/person was shamed, blamed & is still boycotted. We should have risen in response to misogyny. We did not
— kathy ireland (@kathyireland) September 19, 2014
@flytetymejam @HubbuchNYP @nfl @JanetJackson Thank you gentle-men for acknowledging that the NFL treatment of JANET is abuse against women.
— kathy ireland (@kathyireland) September 19, 2014
@HubbuchNYP Powerful to experience what happens when a man publicly, removes clothing from a woman. We should have spoken out for our sister
— kathy ireland (@kathyireland) September 19, 2014
@Carlaray394 @Jorgehff @vanelove_xoxo @xo_tilweovrdose Didn't care about @JanetJackson or don't care about women? Even those of us who
— kathy ireland (@kathyireland) September 19, 2014
@Carlaray394 @Jorgehff @vanelove_xoxo @xo_tilweovrdose play and support the game with our families and dollars. What will we do #NOW?
— kathy ireland (@kathyireland) September 19, 2014
@kathyireland Don't take us men off the hook, tho. We let that happen, too. I wasn't offended then, but I also didn't hold JT responsible.
— Bart Hubbuch (@HubbuchNYP) September 19, 2014
@HubbuchNYP Bart, let me be clear: Did not hold JT responsible. Assumed he was a young artist carried away in the moment. Disgusted that
— kathy ireland (@kathyireland) September 19, 2014
@HubbuchNYP JANET was vilified, shamed, and abused. Almost no one publicly stood with her. Why? Last week NFL "announced" that JANET is
— kathy ireland (@kathyireland) September 19, 2014
@HubbuchNYP still "boycotted" or "blacklisted", following a query from TMZ? After all these years? Blame the woman? It's not alright.
— kathy ireland (@kathyireland) September 19, 2014
@kathyireland Looking back, I (and a lot of men) should've asked the bluenoses so upset about a nipple "Why is JT getting off so easily?"
— Bart Hubbuch (@HubbuchNYP) September 19, 2014
@HubbuchNYP If memory serves, it was a covered nipple and 1/14th of a second. Was it a great choice? No. Did it rise to indecency? Even the
— kathy ireland (@kathyireland) September 19, 2014
It really is amazing how Justin Timberlake completely skated from NippleGate. Like he wasn't even there.
— Bart Hubbuch (@HubbuchNYP) September 19, 2014
@HubbuchNYP Even the Supreme Court says no. Now, Michael Powell formerly of the FCC, apologizes to JANET. Damage Done.
— kathy ireland (@kathyireland) September 19, 2014
@nfl @NFLNow Comm. Goodell, will you speak about the practices toward women that began prior to you tenure? @JANETJACKSON apology would be a
— kathy ireland (@kathyireland) September 19, 2014
@nfl @NFLNow great way to start showing women that this is not a practice and pattern of NFL behavior from the field and beyond.
— kathy ireland (@kathyireland) September 19, 2014
@dayg715 @friendsofjanet @HubbuchNYP n my view, it is not and was not, about JT. The issue remains that JANET was attacked and ten years is
— kathy ireland (@kathyireland) September 19, 2014
@dayg715 @friendsofjanet @HubbuchNYP a long time to wait for an apology. Things haven't improved in the NFL's treatment of women. It's awful
— kathy ireland (@kathyireland) September 19, 2014
