Congress Looks at Hip-Hop Language

from the NY Times: Congress Looks at Hip-Hop Language

I love hip hop. As a feminist, I have always struggled with those songs and artists that uphold misogynist, racist stereotypes. But I hate that people still generalize ALL of hip hop, saying that hip hop as a genre is the problem. What these people fail to realize is that:
a) Not all hip hop artists and fans subscribe to misogynistic language and images,
b) It's not a symptom of hip hop, it's a symptom of the entire music industry--many artists/songs of other genres use degrading language and objectify women (see Emo: Where Girls Aren't), and
c) The people who ultimately really control the hip hop industry (and pretty much all media) aren't necessarily the artists, but corporations headed by mostly white, heterosexual males.

I'm glad that Congress is giving this issue some attention (and notice what Dr. E Faye Williams had to say). I'm also glad that Master P not only apologized for his demeaning language but pledged to produce clean lyrics. But the solution is not censorship, in my opinion. The solution is making it so that it is no longer acceptable to produce degrading and misogynist images of women. We have to create a diversity of perspectives and viewpoints--those that will depict women in a context outside the heterosexual male fantasy--within the hip hop industry (and ultimately, all music and other media) if we want to see real change. To be honest, Levell Crump has a point when he says, "If by some stroke of the pen hip-hop was silenced, the issues would still be present in our communities. Drugs, violence, sexism and the criminal element were around long before hip-hop existed.''

Thoughts?

Lady, You Can Drive My Car

Go Saudi women!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/23/AR2007092300862.html?nav=rss_print/asection

So many things about this situation are incredible, if that is the right word. For one, the fact that the United States continues to support and aid a country who oppresses women so severely is astonishing. But the courage of these women should be commended. They have waited 17 years before initiating another petition, showing the fear of persecution. I hope these women are successful in their endeavor so they can ensure their own safety, as well as the safety of their families, and find some personal freedom in such a patriarchal society.

Sexism on Campus

Hey everyone,

I haven't yet started school, but I keep getting all these emails from members of my sorority talking about "new rush outfits" and "totally awesome parties with hot frat guys" we're having in the fall. The language used to try to persuade young women to join this exclusive clique is ridiculously sexist, not to mention offensive to me as a woman, college student, and human being in general. I joined a sorority to feel togetherness, compassion, and inclusivity amongst bright, talented women. I didn't sign up for the institutionalized policy of talking behind girls' backs, judging them based on first appearances, and obsessing over things as stupid and pointless as "coordinating outfits" or trying to invite boys over from the "best" fraternities. What astounds me most is that these types of language, rules, and statements are national policies, and are funded and supported by national organizations of women, and have been for decades! It's not 1950 anymore; it's time for leaders of the national Greek community to change their blatantly stereotyping, sexist, and condescending methods of letting girls in and leaving some (most) other girls out of their exclusive little clubs.


P.S. In response to the comments a few posts down, i LOVE that commercial on MTV about condoms! I get excited every time it comes on; I wish I had that speech memorized!

Action

Hi Everyone, I am just checking in to make sure everyone has been reading feministing lately and found out that southwest airlines turns people, women, away when they don't approve of their clothing.....AHHHH I am going to be writing southwest a letter and so are many different women on my campus...so If you have a pen, get it out and start writing...Also go to feminisitng.com to watch the funny videos of what they used to make their female employees wear....You had to be hot, single, under 30, wear heals, etc....and now some woman is turned away for wearing exactly what they used to demand?!?!?!? ugh-