The University of Edinburgh has banned Robin Thicke's hit 'Blurred Lines' from all of its student buildings.
The song, which has gone to number one in 14 countries and had more than 40 million views on YouTube, has been surrounded with controversy since its release for "blurring the lines" between consensual and non-consensual sex. The hit's explicit video also features topless models.
Robin Thicke dismissed criticisms of the song in an interview with GQ magazine saying the accusations of rape connotations were "ridiculous" and that he has "always respected women".
Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) vice president of services Kirsty Haigh told The Independent that as the song is not in line with their policy it had to go.
"The decision to ban 'Blurred Lines' from our venues has been taken as it promotes an unhealthy attitude towards sex and consent. EUSA has a policy on zero tolerance towards sexual harrassment, a policy to end lad culture on campus and a safe space policy - all of which this song violates," Ms Haigh says.
A local paper The Tab says the song was reportedly ordered to be turned off at a student disco which took place on the weekend.
An extract from the student association's policy says 'lad culture' promoters, such as lad magazine websites and Facebook groups, "trivialise rape and by doing so contribute to a culturally permissible attitude to rape which is disgusting and cannot be allowed by our union".
"The solution to sexual violence is for rapists to stop raping, not for women to restrict their movement," the policy reads.
Earlier this month a group of Auckland University students posted a parody of the song on YouTube.
'Defined Lines', made by three law students as part of their law revue, showed them reversing the gender roles shown in Thicke's video.
They called it a "stance against female objectification" and the video includes men wearing dog leashes, dressed in underwear and feeding the women cake.
It was removed from YouTube for a time however has since been returned to the site.
Watch the video to see the parody 'Defined Lines'.
3 News
source: newshub archive
