I had never heard of Amber Rose until a few days ago. I suppose I've reached the age where "influencers" and "personalities" known for who they have dated and how few clothes they wear don't catch my attention.
I found out about Amber Rose because she is scheduled to speak at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee next week. This announcement sparked a lot of discussion among conservatives on X, who seemed familiar with her, unlike me. A quick glance at her background explained why conservatives might be concerned. There's a saying that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but some publications, like Hustler or Playboy, clearly communicate their content before you even open them. The same goes for Amber Rose.
Here’s a snippet from her Wikipedia page:
After splitting from [Kayne] West in 2010, Rose began dating rapper Wiz Khalifa, whom she married in 2013. She filed for divorce in 2014. Following this, she released her first book, How to Be a Bad Bitch, published by Simon & Schuster. In 2015, she founded the Los Angeles chapter of the SlutWalk protest march, an annual feminist demonstration founded in Toronto.
SlutWalk proves straightforward in its advertising. It is, in fact, sluts walking. It features women parading down the street to signal pride in their promiscuity, akin to a pride parade for LGBT activists. Participants openly embrace the term "slut" as a badge of virtue.
Normally, I wouldn’t pay much attention to such events because they seem self-explanatory and don't require much of a response. Anyone who must literally parade their “pride” is not actually proud. They’re insecure in the most explicit manner possible, desperately clamoring for affirmation and validation, because they know in their god-formed soul that what they do is abhorrent.
However, I feel compelled to comment on Amber Rose because the Republican National Convention is inexplicably featuring her as a speaker. It seems their reasoning might be that she wore a MAGA hat, has youth appeal, and could attract an audience less concerned with policy than provocation.
I don’t dispute the power of sex appeal. I understand the popularity of figures like Rose. However, I question the long-term value of associating with her brand as a political strategy.
It makes me wonder if I share the same goals as those making these decisions. When I think of "Make America Great Again," I envision a nation rooted in foundational values. I see women empowered by their feminine virtues and men motivated by the legacy built in their families. I don't envision brief marriages or protests celebrating promiscuity.
Call me old-fashioned, but I consider this perspective practical. Promiscuity lacks utility. It's not beneficial for men, women, or society. It doesn’t build stable families or a functional society, nor does it add value to individuals. It does not lead to a fulfilling life.
In response to my posts in this regard on X, some Republican women defended Rose's speaking engagement, citing her popularity and attempting to shame me for not being desirable to a boss-girl like Rose.
Amber Rose doesn’t want y’all either. Believe pic.twitter.com/1iOfN2dO6Y
— Marisa Simonetti (@M_Simonetti28) July 10, 2024
It’s an interesting self-own which presumes that someone like me seeks to be desirable to a self-described slut. Desirability to the most promiscuous among us is not a metric of success or happiness. I, like many in our society, maintain a marriage which has produced children furthering a legacy of family. Sexual gratification is neither elusive nor distracting to folks like me. We are doing just fine with our spouses, and look forward to each new day and each new year, knowing that the passage of time returns our investment in our relationships in a way promiscuity cannot.
The Republican Party, if it is truly conservative, should promote these values. It should highlight young conservative women who embody virtue and true success, such as Brett Cooper or Amala Ekpunobi. There are many conservative female influencers more deserving of a speaking spot at the Republican National Convention than Amber Rose.
What concerns me most is the impact on young women who attend conferences like those by Turning Point USA. These women defy cultural trends, embracing their femininity as a long-term investment. I also think of my nieces, growing up in a culture tempting them toward self-destructive behavior. These women deserve institutions, at least one major political party, that support their best interests and guide them away from demeaning themselves for temporary male approval.
This shouldn’t need to be said, but unfortunately, it does. And that’s a significant problem.
Addendum from Ed: Google Marisa Simonetti and consider the source for that pushback, too.
