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The Under Construction is an expressive article by Whitney A. Peoples and is centered on dissecting the political and social objectives of feminism within the hip-hop musical context. The essay identifies and tackles the generational disruptions that emerge as a result of the revealed objectives. Further, the article addresses the theoretical and practical elements shared by black feminists from both the second and third generation waves. The hip-hop culture holds considerable potential considered both sexually liberating and radical at the same time. The contemporary feminist movement seeks to overlook the incontestable misogyny in rap music and instead it uses the platform to critique racism and express race and ethnic associations. Hip-hop feminists argue that the music provides young black women with an avenue to conceive and develop personal gender critique and feminist identities that will eventually end the misogyny of rap music. The journal acknowledges and identifies the animosity and rivalry existing between hip-hop and the feminist …show more content…
The article contends that hip-hop feminists seek to discover the conditions that give rise to the misogynist and violent lyrics that are prevalent in mainstream rap music. The major critiques that second generation feminists push are: over-emphasis on misogyny, narrow conception of feminist identities, and the application of outdated and ineffectual strategies (Peoples, 2007). Rappers such as MC Lyte, Queen Latifah and Rhapsody advocate for the empowerment of black women alongside resisting racism and men’s sexism. Hence, personally, I find the journal as critically underpinning in highlighting developments in feminists movements. Also, in dissecting the view of feminism in relation to the hip-hop
In his most recent album, Kanye West raps, “Now if I fuck this model/ And she just bleached her asshole/ And I get bleach on my T-shirt/ I 'mma feel like an asshole.” He suggests that it is the girl’s fault for getting bleach on his tee shirt, which she only did to make herself more sexually appealing. This misogyny in hip-hop culture is recognized to bring about problems. For instance, the women around these rappers believe they can only do well in life if they submit themselves to the men and allow themselves to be cared for in exchange for physical pleasure. In her essay, “From Fly-Girls to Bitches and Hoes”, Joan Morgan argues that the same rap music that dehumanizes women can be a powerful platform for gender equality if implemented correctly.
In the article “ From Fly to Bitches and Hoes” by Joan Morgan, she often speaks about the positive and negative ideas associated with hip-hop music. Black men display their manhood with full on violence, crime, hidden guilt, and secret escapes through drugs and alcohol. Joan Morgan’s article views the root causes of the advantage of misogyny in rap music lyrics. In the beginning of the incitement her desires shift to focus on from rap culture condemnation to a deeper analysis of the root causes. She shows the hidden causes of unpleasant sexism in rap music and argues that we need to look deeper into understanding misogyny. I agree with Joan Morgan with the stance that black men show their emotions in a different way that is seen a different perspective.
Oswald, Janelle. “Is Rap Turning Girls into Ho’s?” The Black Book: A Custom Publication. 3rd ed. Ed. Sam Pierstorff. Modesto: Quercus Review Press, 2012. 171-175.
Despite its increasing popularity, hip-hop music often implements misogynistic ideals by portraying women as sexual objects or as helpless beings in need of savior.
Music is one of the greatest forms of art. It inspires many individuals and generations. As music continues to develop, so will society. As of today and what has been going on for decades is rap music and how it portrays women. Rappers often use females as a way to gain success and fame. Although rap is extremely popular and obtains a lot of attention, especially from teenagers, it is causing a lot of negative attention towards females. Younger generations are looking up to rappers and feel what they are rapping about are true. Because of this, women all over the globe are outraged at the fact that they are being portrayed in such a derogatory manner.
Joan Morgan’s “Fly Girls, Bitches, and Hoes” begins with an excerpt from a Vibe Magazine essay detailing the narrator’s first hand experience in the hip hop community as a woman, who came to love the music of its emcees, while battling with the sexism present both in rap lyrics and the men who wrote them. The conclusion is rather bittersweet, with the narrator resolving to continue being a part of the community, despite the ways its most prominent voices may degrade her and women like her, out of a familial kind to love. Because Joan Morgan considers herself a member of that same community she feels similarly compelled to recognize the ways Black men have inflicted pain and trauma onto Black women, using her own account of a family friend’s death as a result of the aforementioned phenomena. Morgan notes that Black men aren’t simply
Every major societal change in history has been met with resistance of some kind, and the adoption of rap music into the entertainment industry is no different. There are an innumerable amount of viewpoints on whether rap music is to be admonished for the objectification of and disrespect towards women or simply accepted as another expression of modern society. Even those these two opposing viewpoints are vastly different, there are opportunities for those who listen to this type of music to develop their intelligence on the various topics discussed in modern rap.
Jennifer Mclune, author of “Hip-Hops Betrayal of Black Women,” expresses her reaction of outrage toward the opinions of Kevin Powell, writer of “Notes of a Hip Hop Head.” McLune reveals through Powell’s writing, the encouragement and acceptance of hip-hop lyrics sang by black male artists to degrade black women. Powell’s expression of socioeconomic reasons for the sexism in lyrics is an approach to silencing feminist criticism of the culture. “Powell’s understanding also lends itself to elitist assumption that somehow poverty breeds sexism, or at least should excuse it.” The Mclune’s view is that the spread of women-hating among society are due to the harsh words used in these rap songs. Furthermore, causing sexism and disrespect among the communities and making women victims.
In a hip-hop dominated music world, rap lyrics often portray women as the weaker gender or as objects for man’s pleasure. The lyrics of those songs refer to women as “bitches” or “hoes”, which are words that can be very damaging to a woman’s view of herself. Queen Latifah, wanting to change the way that women, specifically black women, are depicted in popular music, released her song “U.N.I.T.Y.”, which provides a positive message for women in this age of hip-hop. On the twelfth track of Latifah’s album Black Reign, she discusses the issues that women face in today’s society. “U.N.I.T.Y.” by Queen Latifah empowers women to stand up for themselves when men are abusive, objectify them, or encourage them to change who they are. She sends a message to women through this song that tells them that they
The semantics of the word “hoe” lead to defenders’ thoughts that a man can be a “ho” too. Men who defend this thought might point to the fact that a ho is “…anyone who has ‘too much’ indiscriminate sex…” (Rose, 171). In this instance, they are putting less weight into the fact that these words are used to put down women. Rappers might use these terms in lyrics in order to diss another man by attacking their manliness. Defenders of hip hop like rappers say that “bitches and hoes” are a specific type of girl, and that when they use those words, they don’t mean to reference all women. However, the reality is that rappers use these words pertaining to all women. Women who listen to the music are attracted to this demeaning image, because at least it would be “about them”. So, when hip hop’s defenders’ say that “there are bitches and hoes” to further their argument for hip hop, they reassure women that a hyper-sexualized image and lifestyle is acceptable. For this reason, this argument ignores the effects of these impressions on women, and attempts to legitimize the classification of women as figures existing to be used by
Richardson, Elaine. "Developing Critical Hip Hop Feminist Literacies: Centrality and Subversion of Sexuality in the Lives of Black Girls." Equity & Excellence in Education Routledge 08 August 2013. 327-341. Web. 07 November 2013.
Will sexism ever come to an end in today’s society? Are women going to let men step all over them? Jennifer Mclune discusses in her article, Hip-Hops Betrayal on Black Women, how black male singers objectify and degrade black females in the music industry. The purpose of this article is to show how black women are being deceived in the hip hop industry and being used as sex symbols instead of showing them for their true colors. Mclune (2015) voices her strong argument in attracting her audience by using ethos, tones, and the use of word choices.
J Cole tells us that “pussy is power” (J Cole “Lights Please”) and Kendrick Lamar tells us that we need to “put that pussy on a pedal” (Kendrick Lamar “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe” & “Goosebumps”) but has our genre forgotten who is behind the “pussy”? Have we forgotten about the mothers, the sisters, the daughters, and the aunts? A genre where once all people could speak their minds about the injustices that they face every day is now straggling behind our progressive society. Sexism and misogyny have limited the opportunities and freedom of women since the stone age, but there is nothing inherently sexist in the genre of Hip Hop; instead years of enlarged egos and showmanship have led to a present where the accolades of a woman who has reached
Hip-hop throughout the years has had an overwhelming influence on the Black and Hispanic community as well as society as a whole. Hip-hop is not only music for entertainment but a role model for others regardless of whether it is positive or negative. Although historically American society has impacted hip-hop, Hip-hop has perpetuated how women are represented in today’s society. Women’s representation in the hip-hop culture such as music videos or magazine covers portray women in a negative light. Women had long fought for the rights to be considered equals, however, are presented as tools men gain the greater they hold power. Not only are women objectified, but they are also seen as sex tools. However, too much sex and they are labeled to
unending and unequal struggle for power, others view them as complementary. The Hip-hop world tilts towards the second assumption. However, the complementary role being played by the two is being benefited by men where the women are portrayed as dangerous objects of desires.” (85)