We have a problem in a hip-hop, in
society, in our time. That problem is the way we view women as a culture
especially in hip hop culture; the way we refer to women who are mothers,
sisters, daughters, and nieces is too sexual. The industry, especially the
hip-hop industry looks at women as sexual objects and not for what they stand
for. Women who create and take of life, who are strong and independent and hard
working are seen as negative factors such as bad b***** or freaks and etc. many
degrading name that we as individuals would not like anyone to call our female
relatives.
Many of the artists who consistently
continue this degrading behavior are the ones we listen to every day such as
Rick Ross, Cheef Keef, Meek Mill, the list can on. The lyrics they articulate
to their fans are nothing pleasant, constantly calling women out their name and
talking about what they would do them. It’s sad and it’s bringing down our
females today, especially the younger one who believe because their favorite
artist said it may be okay. This becomes a social issue because what are we
teaching our children, brothers, sisters, and future generation. If you listen
to most of the music that is out today you hear not only the artists labeled
but others call women nothing but hoes or b******. The didn’t say one positive
thing about women unless its their mother but other females it is always
sexual.
The messages these songs say, just bring
down women in society. It makes females feel less adequate and that it is okay
for males to anything they want to them. Kids follow everything they see on
television or in the media, it is a proven fact. If they see this being
permitted on television than they will feel its okay to say it to their peers.
The networks have no filters on some of the music they put out, yes they put
clean version but if you stay up late enough you can still experience the
explicit content on channels such as BET. It is a walking contradiction;
networks like BET play explicit content in videos at night but prayer services
in the morning. A walking contradiction these are the things that kids follow
and watch and we support these facts whether are not.
In todays generation the teenagers are
more sexually active at a younger age. The music they hear and the lyrics boost
their courage to go and try these things. Kids want to experience the finer
things these rappers talk about they want to live their lives. Their music
honestly gives them their drive and motivates them daily. Hip Hop artists, some
not all are negatively portraying women and teaching our younger generation
that it is okay. It plays a big role in the influence upon children and I
believe it needs to be a little more filter. I am not saying that they should
not talk about anything but I am saying that they should have some discretion.
For example Rick Ross has a song when he jokes about a women being drugged and
raped and these are what children are singing.
Even though I do blame a lot of the music
that is out there for the negative views on women I also blame women. Women are
agreeing to be in music videos and allowing they to be groupies and making
these artists feel like they’re higher than God just for some money. Society is
becoming terrifyingly dismissive of sexual violence against women. Women today
need to stand up and demand respect and be better women who know what they want
and fight for what they believe. The point in which I am trying to make is that
a society we have an issue here, and that is issue is our younger generation. The
influences that are there age need to be a little more selective with words and
actions toward women in society. It is degrading and morally wrong to treat
women the way Hip Hop artists do today.
Do you believe that Hip Hop artists
should be more selective and mindful of the words they choose to put in their songs?
Your point about music and sexual violence is very true and I find myself talking about this issue all the time. I do think that not only hip hop artists but all artists should be mindful of what they choose to express in their music. I think a large portion of the issue can be accredited to rape culture and cultural appropriation. Some of these artists, predominately men, have never been exposed or have taken the time to educate themselves about the effects of misogynist behavior/language. Hip-hop is a highly popular and influential genre of music. Artists of all genres are inspired by hip-hop and take from it. This worsens the issue because instead of taking the positive factors many artists take the negative. They see hip-hop artists and the women in the videos sexualizing themselves.
ReplyDeleteAlthough women can take accountability for some of this I do not believe society has ever given females a fair chance. From birth we are given the assignment of the pink blanket or the blue blanket and while becoming video vixens may seem like a walking body of disrespect to some, others may view it as sexually empowering. You have really raised an excellent topic in this post.While artists have the creative license to sing or rap what they want to, they must take responsibility of their position as role models. Younger children now have access to their songs and videos easily through iPods and YouTube. The sexualization and yearn to keep up with their idols is unrealistic and going to lead us down a slippery slope.