"He Had it Coming" But Doesn't That Mean You Should Get it Next???

I recently went to see a memorable performance of Chicago at Place Des Arts. The performers included powerful singers and sizzling dancing. The band did not miss a beat, and was an active part in the show. I loved every minute of it. However when you dig a little deeper, the score is sexist and glorifies domestic violence.
One of the greatest songs in Chicago is “He Had it Coming”. Six of seven very attractive and vengeful women sarcastically defend themselves for committing brutally violent crimes. These murders include multiple stabbings, an axe murder, and shotgun wounds to the face. Each murderer portrays themselves as victims; their husbands and lovers “had it coming”.
In all honesty, it seems fairly harmless, and it is very funny. The women also looked incredible in their cocktail dresses and seductive dancing – I still do not know how they obtained such fine clothing in prison.
However, this positive reaction to horrendous crimes raises some serious questions about how we view gender roles. None of these women had a valid reason – such as self defence- to kill their victims. Furthermore, their relaxed approach shows complete contempt for the laws and morals that govern our society. So, why do we laugh?
Besides the fact that the songs are well written, we laugh because the murderers are women, and the victims are their cheating husbands. If the roles were reversed, no one would laugh. Both women and men would be disgusted, and any man who saw some humour in it, would be fearful of the repercussions for laughing out loud – most likely negative punishments from their girlfriends and wives. Because of his dominant role in society, a man who kills his wife is wrong no matter what the circumstances. However, the emotionally hurt woman will at least get a laugh about putting an axe in her husband’s head.
At the end of the day, does this exploitation of gender roles really have a negative impact on the viewers? For the most part, I do not think so. However, it does demonstrate that gender equality is difficult to achieve. We have specific beliefs about how men and women should interact. Because men usually commit domestic violence, the song seems absurd; thus it is funny. If we actually perceived men and women as equals, then we should all either laugh or not, regardless of the perpetrator’s gender.
For me, the more important issue is that the song glorifies domestic violence. Disputes between men and women often escalate into violent eruptions. One just has to look back upon the O.J Simpson trial and the popular disgust felt towards the former football super star for allegedly killing his ex-wife and her lover. A more contemporary example is Chris Brown’s assault on his girlfriend Rihanna and the public uproar to the crime. Both crimes merited the severe public criticism.

What about women who commit similar crimes?

When LorenaBobbit famously cut of her husband’s genitals the public reaction was mixed. Obviously, she was criticized for mutilating her husband, but like the women in Chicago she received much public sympathy. Regardless of her husband’s abusive behaviour, he did not deserve to be assaulted in such a vicious manner. I see no reason, which anyone could use to defend her actions. The attack was not an example of self-defence; she simply “snapped” after long term physical and emotional abuse – which is wrong in its own right. However, an unprovoked removal of a man’s penis is wrong. Furthermore, she received support from feminist groups because of her prolonged suffering during her marriage. This protection rubs me the wrong way.
A correct response to domestic abuse could include calling the police or walking out on him. If she had stabbed him while she was seriously beating her, I would side with her. However, cutting of a man’s penis clearly demonstrates a vengeful rational. It served no purpose but to severely injure her husband – not to mention the emotional distress of literally of losing your manhood.
Just like the fictional characters of Chicago, Lorena Bobbitt’s was acquitted because of the emotional distress caused by her husband. All the women had the right to be upset, and some of the men – if the accusations are true- deserved prison sentences. Unfortunately, I think that the only reason the women were found not guilty was because they were women. A man would not have received as much sympathy because of previous wrong doings by his wife.