Ariana Grande Is Not Calling Herself God In 'God is a woman'

No, Ariana Grande Is Not Calling Herself 'God' In Her New Single

'God is a woman', the third single off Ariana's album set for release in August, contains a meaning so much deeper than sex.

Teylor Veliotis
Teylor Veliotis Jul 18, 2018
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Ariana surprised fans by releasing 'God is a woman' at midnight on July 13th. Being an Ariana Grande superfan, I listened to the song about three times before dozing off to sleep, excited for noon when the official music video would be released.

@arianagrande via Instagram

At first, I was kind of bummed; I initially thought the title hinted that the song would be about women's equality, promoting female empowerment. Yet, after listening, I believed that it was just another lusty song about the power of women during sex.

Power is power; I knew that regardless of her intentions, her song was meant to empower women. If the song told a story about how important a woman can feel or be considered by her male partner after an amazing sex session, she is still telling a story about an empowered woman nonetheless.

However, as I started to listen to the lyrics more closely, I realized that the song has a stronger meaning, deeper than just sex. For example, the pre-chorus is: "And I can be all the things you told me not to be / When you try to come for me, I keep on flourishing". Ariana is saying that no matter how many times people try to bring her down or change her, she will always be true to herself and persevere.

I believe Ariana purposely released the song twelve hours before the music video rather than releasing them simultaneously. I think she wanted us to listen to the song initially by taking in the lyrics and topics floating at the surface of the song without digging too deep into the meaning of it. She must've wanted us to explore the underlying themes of her song as we listened more and more, and finally laid our eyes on the video.

The music video, which was directed by Dave Meyers and is visually stunning, starts off with Ariana standing on top of Earth, swaying amongst the stars of the galaxy. After laying on a pedestal beneath a bed of squirming men, an oversized Ari is shown looming over miniature-sized men throwing words of hate and discouragement, just to be bounced back off her huge body. If this doesn't denote the idea of women rising up against the criticism or discouragement from men, or society in general, I don't know what does.

Although religion is a huge theme within the song, both religion and creation are at the center of the music video. Ariana sits on top of Earth with her legs spread, as if hinting toward the creation of our planet and mankind. In addition, a clip of Ariana's womb growing from conception is shown as the following lyrics play: "But you're different from the rest / And boy if you confess, you might get blessed". Immediately after, she towers over three men as she nurses them while she sings, "See if you deserve what comes next".

The message of women being seen as a powerful life source flows throughout the video. The masterpiece screams women's empowerment towards the end, when she throws a giant hammer, resulting in the shattering of a glass ceiling. This alludes to the famous metaphor regarding certain groups of people being restrained from reaching a visible goal they desire to reach. As Ariana literally breaks the glass ceiling, she sends the message that women have the ability to cross the barriers that society has made.

An unmistakably religious part of the video is introduced several seconds before the breaking of the ceiling. Other than hearing Madonna's voice, this part is so memorable because it is where religion and feminism meet; the monologue Ariana mouths states that anyone who tries to bring her and her fellow women down will be met with retaliation, and this is when they will know her name is the Lord.

dailyarianagifs via Tumblr

Symbols of femininity are very apparent, as well, such as when a pair of women's legs are spread above Ariana after she breaks the ceiling. It is also worth noting that the image painted in the river Ariana lays on at the beginning of the video is a vagina. I believe that these references to the female anatomy further reinforce the theme of women as creators.

The last part mirrors Michelangelo's The Creation of Adam; however, Ariana, surrounded by other young women, reaches out to touch another young lady. This renowned painting is known to denote God creating man in the image of Himself.

arianagrandesource via Tumblr

Although Ariana lays in the place where God so famously lays in the original painting, I don't believe she is calling herself God. Rather, I believe she is making the statement that women can be seen as powerful figures of creation, such as God is considered to be.

God has traditionally been portrayed as a male. By Ariana presenting women in such an omnipotent way, she dares listeners and viewers to consider the idea of women in power. As she beautifully presents women in such a strong and influential light, she strikes the match illuminating a world full of empowered woman.

I'm sure this sneak peek Ariana gives us can become a reality very soon thanks to today's inspiring women, one of whom is the singer herself.

dailyarianagifs via Tumblr

Cover Image Credit:

Dave Meyers - God is a woman Music Video

Teylor Veliotis
Teylor Veliotis Jul 18, 2018
At Fordham University

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9 Reasons Crocs Are The Only Shoes You Need

Crocs have holes so your swag can breathe.
Kortni Carico
Kortni Carico Jul 31, 2017
39211
views

Do you have fond childhood objects that make you nostalgic just thinking about your favorite Barbie or sequenced purse? Well for me, its my navy Crocs. Those shoes put me through elementary school. I eventually wore them out so much that I had to say goodbye. I tried Airwalks and sandals, but nothing compared. Then on my senior trip in New York City, a four story Crocs store gleamed at me from across the street and I bought another pair of Navy Blue Crocs. The rest is history. I wear them every morning to the lake for practice and then throughout the day to help air out my soaking feet. I love my Crocs so much, that I was in shock when it became apparent to me that people don't feel the same. Here are nine reasons why you should just throw out all of your other shoes and settle on Crocs.

1. They are waterproof.

These bad boys can take on the wettest of water. Nobody is sure what they are made of, though. The debate is still out there on foam vs. rubber. You can wear these bad boys any place water may or may not be: to the lake for practice or to the club where all the thirsty boys are. But honestly who cares because they're buoyant and water proof. Raise the roof.


2. Your most reliable support system

There is a reason nurses and swimming instructors alike swear by Crocs. Comfort. Croc's clogs will make you feel like your are walking on a cloud of Laffy Taffy. They are wide enough that your toes are not squished, and the rubbery material forms perfectly around your foot. Added bonus: The holes let in a nice breeze while riding around on your Razor Scooter.

3. Insane durability

Have you ever been so angry you could throw a Croc 'cause same? Have you ever had a Croc bitten while wrestling a great white shark? Me too. Have you ever had your entire foot rolled like a fruit roll up but had your Crocs still intact? Also me. All I know is that Seal Team 6 may or may not have worn these shoes to find and kill Osama Bin Laden. Just sayin'.


4. Bling, bling, bling

Jibbitz, am I right?! These are basically they're own money in the industry of comfortable footwear. From Spongebob to Christmas to your favorite fossil, Jibbitz has it all. There's nothing more swag-tastic than pimped out crocs. Lady. Killer.

5. So many options

From the classic clog to fashionable sneakers, Crocs offer so many options that are just too good to pass up on. They have fur lined boots, wedges, sandals, loafers, Maryjane's, glow in the dark, Minion themed, and best of all, CAMO! Where did your feet go?!

6. Affordable

Crocs: $30

Feeling like a boss: Priceless

7. Two words: Adventure Straps

Because you know that when you move the strap from casual mode chillin' in the front to behind the heal, it's like using a shell on Mario Cart.

8. Crocs cares

Okay, but for real, Crocs is a great company because they have donated over 3 million pairs of crocs to people in need around the world. Move over Toms, the Croc is in the house.

9. Stylish AF

The boys will be coming for you like Steve Irwin.

Who cares what the haters say, right? Wear with pride, and go forth in style.

Cover Image Credit: Chicago Tribune
Kortni Carico
Kortni Carico Jul 31, 2017
At Creighton University
At Creighton University

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From One Nerd To Another

My contemplation of the complexities between different forms of art.

Flannery Brown
Flannery Brown Apr 18, 2019
569
views

Aside from reading Guy Harrison's guide to eliminating scientific ignorance called, "At Least Know This: Essential Science to Enhance Your Life" and, "The Breakthrough: Immunotherapy and the Race to Cure Cancer" by Charles Graeber, an informative and emotional historical account explaining the potential use of our own immune systems to cure cancer, I read articles and worked on my own writing in order to keep learning while enjoying my winter break back in December. I also took a trip to the Guggenheim Museum.


I wish I was artistic. Generally, I walk through museums in awe of what artists can do. The colors and dainty details simultaneously inspire me and remind me of what little talent I posses holding a paintbrush. Walking through the Guggenheim was no exception. Most of the pieces are done by Hilma af Klint, a 20th-century Swedish artist expressing her beliefs and curiosity about the universe through her abstract painting. I was mostly at the exhibit to appease my mom (a K - 8th-grade art teacher), but as we continued to look at each piece and read their descriptions, I slowly began to appreciate them and their underlying meanings.


I like writing that integrates symbols, double meanings, and metaphors into its message because I think that the best works of art are the ones that have to be sought after. If the writer simply tells you exactly what they were thinking and how their words should be interpreted, there's no room for imagination. An unpopular opinion in high school was that reading "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne was fun. Well, I thought it was. At the beginning of the book, there's a scene where Hawthorne describes a wild rosebush that sits just outside of the community prison. As you read, you are free to decide whether it's an image of morality, the last taste of freedom and natural beauty for criminals walking toward their doom, or a symbol of the relationship between the Puritans with their prison-like expectations and Hester, the main character, who blossoms into herself throughout the novel. Whichever one you think it is doesn't matter, the point is that the rosebush can symbolize whatever you want it to. It's the same with paintings - they can be interpreted however you want them to be.


As we walked through the building, its spiral design leading us further and further upwards, we were able to catch glimpses of af Klint's life through the strokes of her brush. My favorite of her collections was one titled, "Evolution." As a science nerd myself, the idea that the story of our existence was being incorporated into art intrigued me. One piece represented the eras of geological time through her use of spirals and snails colored abstractly. She clued you into the story she was telling by using different colors and tones to represent different periods. It felt like reading "The Scarlet Letter" and my biology textbook at the same time. Maybe that sounds like the worst thing ever, but to me it was heaven. Art isn't just art and science isn't just science. Aspects of different studies coexist and join together to form something amazing that will speak to even the most untalented patron walking through the museum halls.

Flannery Brown
Flannery Brown Apr 18, 2019
At Fordham University

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