Justin Timberlake Made A Video Supporting Rape Awareness – Oh Wait, No He Didn’t

Sorry, I got confused. I saw the title of Justin Timberlake‘s new video, “Take Back The Night,” and I thought he was trying to put an end to rape culture or something. Nope. He’s just taking the name of the most well-known, pro-woman, anti-rape movement that exists and turning it into a little sexy-time jam.

Yeah, this was your city
You did it all and more, broke every law except for one, babe

Attraction, are you ready
I know you feel it
Pull you nearer ’til you feel it again, oh

I wanna do something right
But we can do something better
Ain’t no time like tonight

And we ain’t trying to save it ’til later
Stay out here living the life
Nobody cares who we are tomorrow

You got that lil’ something I like
A little something I’ve been wanting to borrow

I love Justin Timberlake, but he kind of missed the mark with this one. I don’t know about appropriating a phrase that’s synonymous with women taking control of their surroundings and safety and turning it into a seduction anthem. I don’t think JT is creepy, so I’m just gonna go with – he really has no idea what “Take Back The Night” is. From takebackthenight.org:

The Take Back The Night Foundation serves to create safe communities and respectful relationships through awareness events and initiatives. We seek to end sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual abuse and all other forms of sexual violence.

Here’s a little history for you, JT:

Over the years, Take Back The Night has become internationally known, as a way to take a stand against sexual violence and speak out against these horrible crimes. The first documented Take Back The Night event in the United States took place in October of 1975 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Citizens rallied together after the murder of young microbiologist, Susan Alexander Speeth, who was stabbed to death by a stranger no more than a block away from her home while walking the streets, alone.

This is kind of like coming out with a single called “Alcoholics Anonymous” about how we all need to party. That would be a little weird, wouldn’t it?

Y’all ready to have a good time out there, ladies and gentlemen?
Take back the night, take back the night…

You know what would be an awesome time, JT? If you used this little oversight to bring some awareness to this massively important organization. I don’t know – maybe donate some money or something? I’m not one of those people who thinks rock stars need to be role models for my kids, but that would be awesome.

(photo: YouTube)