Hip Hops Betrayal of Black Women

The misogynistic treatment of women in commercialized rap has become a widespread phenomenon which as a result has become commonly accepted by majority of the individuals in society. Rappers, in general, nowadays use women in their videos in a way which is both derogatory and exploiting. Black men in today’s society, especially in the entertainment industry, do not see women as their equals; rather they objectify them as being nothing more than sex objects. People in the Hip Hop industry do not believe that sexism and misogyny is as big of a deal as racism, thus they push this issue to the side by simply ignoring it and learning to accept it. This misogynistic portrayal of women is ruining the image if Hip Hop as both an industry and a form of expressive art. However, instead of taking action against this atrocity, many women simply believe that the images of women and their portrayal in rap videos does not represent nor refer to them as an individual and the type of woman they truly are. By being silent these women are allowing themselves to be victimized by the men of not only the Hip Hop industry but also general society. By not having a say in this matter of the false classification and portrayal of women, they are voluntarily allowing men to do whatever they please to do so, in any given time and with any approach they feel is necessary. They do not

In the essay, “Hip-Hop’s Betrayal Of Black Women”(221), by Jennifer McLune, she vents her feelings regarding hip-hop songs that are rhythmically diminishing the value of black women. She provides example on how the lyrics are being voiced and how hip-hop artists do not seem to care. Kevin Powell in “Notes of a Hip Hop Head” writes, “Indeed, like rock and roll, hip-hop sometimes makes you think we men don’t like women much at all, except to objectify them as trophy pieces or, as contemporary vernacular mandates, as baby mommas, chicken heads, or bitches” (221). There have been apologizes for what the rappers have said but nothing to resolve the dehumanization of black women. McLune informs the readers that hip-hop singers belittle black women and make them invisible. Jay-Z, a popular hip-hop artist is brought to center stage by McLune. The essay shows the example of a part of Jay-Z song that says, “I pimp hard on a trick, look Fuck if your leg broke bitch hop on your good foot” (222). This lyric is a perfect example of how hip-hop artist have no remorse in the words they sing. The hurt feelings and loss of self-esteem black women suffer, is of no concern to the rappers. McLune expresses that those who are underground hip-hop artist follow the footsteps on being sexist and using crude words in their lyrics just because they yearn and dream of being in the spotlight. Upcoming rappers want to be loved like Jay-Z and other famous notorious rappers.

Hip-hop’s Betrayal of Black Women written by Jennifer McLune is an article that utilizes many different literary devices, such as quotes, to further educate readers about the cruel tactics that are used in Hip-hop culture to dehumanize black women. McLune mentions how the musically inclined artists who choose not to describe women in such distasteful ways have to put in a lot more work in the music industry in order to become successful. The materialistic and sexist components of rap music are what McLune describes as the future demise of Hip-hop. She elaborates on how rap is very male-dominated culture and often times very biased. McLune’s thesis is the failure to realize the scarring effects that the sexism showcased in most rap music

In Joan Morgan’s article “Fly-Girls, Bitches and Hoes: Notes of a Hip Hop Feminist”, she shows the way rap music has changed through it popularity. The widespread appreciation of rap had negative impacts upon the black community. Morgan talks about this through her Feminist point of view. She focuses the topic on what rap music says about the African American culture in Hip Hop. Rap music and Hip Hop were invented through the pain of African Americans. Hip Hop and the Rap industry use sexism and machoism to express the long years of oppressive pain they went through by the hands of the white people. Especially for the black brothers who continue that oppression by using provocative words that degrade the black sisters. Morgan states that blame isn’t only on the brothers

Joan Morgan, a self proclaimed feminist, loves the power that rap and hip hop offers. Joan, also a music writer, is exceptionally troubled by the disrespect of women in not only in the musical lyrics but also the music videos. In the June 1990 edition of Ebony Magazine, Charles Whitaker wrote an editorial addressing the problems American culture brought on by the hip hop industry. Even though, his editorial was published in the 1990’s, it is extremely clear Charles Whitaker saw the negativity brought along with “The Hip Hop and Rap Revolution.” Both authors loved the powerful energy the new hip hop movement brought along with its beginnings, dating back to the mid to late 1970’s. With that being said, the two authors, both had one recurring theme within their respective works, the evolution of hip hop and rap. In other words, both Joan Morgan and Charles Whitaker addressed the issues brought on by the change in the rap and hip hop industry over its short exists. Change is the absolute most constant thing in our world, whether it is positive or negative change that is uncertain, in both of the articles that change in hip hop and rap is demonstrated

One of Rap music's greatest criticisms is that it is sexist in its portrayal of women. Some argue that Hip-hop music teaches young children to look at women as "bitches" and "hoes", as women are often called in various hip-hop songs. It is this negative message that has constantly kept rap music in a national spotlight. Critics view sexism in rap as a symptom of an increasingly crumbling set of social values in the black urban community.

In the article, Hip Hop Demeans Women, Tricia Rose states: “The disrespect shown to black women by some black men is, for them, a sign of insubordinate black masculinity and thus needs correction and containment.” The writer means that the discourtesy appeared to dark ladies by some dark men is, for them, an indication of rebellious dark manliness and consequently needs rectification and control. To empower the feminist representations of black women, hip hop artists should consider lyrics and images that show due respect that evaluate black women. Respect for women is an essential part worldwide, and has nothing to do with recommending and women’s full equality or encouraging challenges to a society organized around the male power and privilege (Rose, 119). Any woman's rights that neglects to recognize how dark people in 1990s America were living and attempting to love in a combat area is pointless to black men and women. Rap music is fundamental to the battle against sexism since it takes us straight to the combat

While many may argue that the rise of hip-hop is a major triumph, Questlove worries that by becoming so pervasive, the genre has, to a certain degree, become “invisible.” Instead of serving as “resistance to mainstream culture,” he believes hip-hop is now “part of the sullen dominant.” Questlove further laments that nowadays hip-hop is not as much a form of protest art; it has been marginalized, and its themes have been narrowed into ideas “mostly about [artists’] own victories and the victory of their genre.” Countless critics have made this same complaint—that hip-hop music is largely dedicated to lyrics about women, money, and fame.

During the documentary a scene was shot at BET’s Spring Bling and a young male pointed out that women are determined to be b****** or women by the way they dress. Sexism is an issue that to society is not seen as important compared to the large number of black males incarcerated. The issue should be just as important if not more because one in four African American women is raped after the age eighteen. Most women who are called a b**** or another demeaning name think that it wasn’t referred to them, and either way is still unacceptable. Hip Hop is not being represented by men, which is why the decision of their lyrics is said the way that they

Hip-hop has it’s good and it’s bad. Not all hip hop is drugs, money, women. We have hip-hop that actually speaks and tells a story about how they came from the projects to making millions of dollars in the industry. When it comes to those negative aspects of the hip-hop culture, it’s not that they just don’t care that what they’re doing is wrong, it’s the simple fact that it is all some of these individuals know.

Hip-hop culture and culture’s misogyny can be traced back to the golden era of hip-hop. In hip-hop, culture terms for men created an image of a “big-man persona” such as “baller” “pimp” and derogatory phrases such as “bitch” “ho” became common phrases to distinguish women. The rapper persona was to have a macho attitude, extravagant living, and having multiple women beside them was the way to express the Hip-hop lifestyle (Layne 1). Artists such as N.W.A., one the few pioneers of 90’s gangsta rap has associated their music with misogyny. The song titled “A Bitch Iz A Bitch” in the album Straight Outta Compton revolutionize

But overall, on the grand scale, majority of rap songs aren’t completely misogynic or only about women. (Adams, 2006) Instead, the songs-whether through its lyrics or music videos –contain misogynic elements. For example, rap music videos use derogatory words and images to depict women as hos, bitches, and gold-diggers, submissive, weak and very sexual

Rap shows them how women and men are both sexualized within this specific genre. This provides an insight to me, showing me why people can view hip-hop music as aggressive music. After doing research, this book helped me see a different perspective on hip-hop music. In making this comment "We live and breathe in a world that normalizes sexism. But this does not excuse it, nor can reproducing it with constituency to anything but replace it.

Producers see those topics as what is going to sell to the youth, Are those lyrics really ethical to listen too? Unfortunately in capitalism society, it comes down to money and what they can do to profit even more even it’s not morally right. For instance, Farmers are treating their animals with no compassion or care they are only looking at it from a capitalism stand point. When it comes down to rappers and how they can portray theirselves for the public eye of course they are going to act like whatever is going to sell and make them more money. In that manhood box, being strong, wealthy, and having a lot of hoes is what being a man is all about even if they have to downgrade others to get to the top of the charts.

materialism, and misogyny (Rap Rehab). This here validates everything that has been prefaced in regards to the issues that are negatively impacting the state of hip hop from the moment it became mainstream (as previously mentioned during the 1990’s). People don't realize the psychological effect that these white men in suits inflict on the African American youth when they present black people in such a negative light. When you have negativity constantly thrown at your face, you as an individual is set to become a physical embodiment of themalice that surrounds you. Along with deliberate misrepresentation of black people in the media, “Corporations pretend to avoid “controversial” topics and themes. Yet, when it comes to songs featuring black