Saturday night I saw a rerun of SNL with Dana Owens (aka Queen Latifah) as guest host. Let's just say it was a display of coonery that I've never seen before. It kinda puts this kind of thing in perspective when it comes to hip hop music and women's role in it.
Why are these women bitching? Where were they when Dana Owens (aka Queen Latifah) made Bringing Down the House and Taxi?
Saturday night made me realize that Ms. Owens isn't hip hop anymore. She used her music to get her foot in the door to become an entertainer. Somewhere along the line she stopped being the Queen of hip hop and became a singer/actress. Now I know you must be asking yourself what does this have to do with how women are portrayed in the world of hip hop. Well it's simple. Asha Jennings and the women of Spelman who are protesting hip hop music should understand that when a rapper (or MC) makes a video in a woman's image is that of a bitch and hoe it doesn't necessarily mean that all women are bitches and hoes.
Come on let's be real here. There are women out there who are hoes, and there's nothing wrong with that pimps gotta get their money ya know. And we all know there are some bitches in this world. In fact I think it is to a woman's advantage to be perceived as a bitch.
If you are a black woman and you listen to Nelly you should first off ask yourself why? Why am I listening to this guy? We all know why women listen to artists like Nelly. The music has a nice beat and I'm not afraid to say that his type ain't too hard on the eyes (if ya like that sort of thing).
So what does that tell you? His looks excuse his lyrics.
If you are nodding your head to what I'm saying continue reading but if you can't follow what I'm leading you to then you might as well close out of this browser and pick up a Nelly CD or some other form of ignorant entertainment.
Point 1:
If a man (or woman) is cute they can get away with a lot of stupid things.
Point 2:
The women who are being exploited in these videos auditioned to be in them and they work very hard with one goal in mind, and that goal is to be featured in a video. And trust me some of them haven't paid for a meal since they were 13.
Point 3:
Bitches and hoes do exist but they do not make up the majority of real women out there. But they do make up the majority of women that these rappers have been exposed to. So if you are a woman who doesn't consider herself a bitch or a hoe, don't take it so personally cause he ain't talking about you.
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4 comments:
Oh, what a load of crap. If I didnt know you were such a gentlemen IRL, I'd bitchslap you for this one. And during Women's History month, even.
I think it would interesting to know the real life repurcussions of such "innocent" objectification and exploitation. Ask some young boys what messages they get from these videos and songs and if they are able to distinguish between the fantasy of hip-hop videos and the reality of the women they see daily in their lives. If they are, then you add the protesting Spelmen women to the ranks of the PRC. But if, in lacking other male role models and cues about how to treat women they take these lyrics and images to heart, then there is a problem.
I am curious to know if you can see parallels between your argument and arguments made about Black men in other forms of media. Surely not all Black men are, say, criminals, but some are, so why care if the media portrays them as such? And if a Black man goes to see, say, a movie where the Black men are all criminals, then isnt he just as guilty as the filmmaker for perpetuating that sterotype? Nevermind the actor who actually took the role to begin with.
I'm not buyin' it Doc. YOu're gonna have to do better than that to convince me.
"I am curious to know if you can see parallels between your argument and arguments made about Black men in other forms of media."
That's totally different. And I'll tell you why. Black women are more in control of their image in hip hop than you think. Who do you think are the managers? Who do you think are the A&R? Who do you think are the casting directors for these videos?
The answer is black women.
The same cannot be said of black men in mainstream media.
What I think got lost in the shuffle of my rant is that Dana Owens going from QUEEN of hip hop to MAID in the movies is far worse for the image of black women than Nelly's stupid videos.
"Ask some young boys what messages they get from these videos and songs and if they are able to distinguish between the fantasy of hip-hop videos and the reality of the women they see daily in their lives."
I'm sure that some buy into the fantasy. But that has nothing to do with what I was talking about.
It is a two way street. The women who appear in these videos are not being forced against their will. They know it's easy money and a step toward something better. They are taking the easy way out, because they want a fast buck and some fame.
Remember my first point.
"If a man (or woman) is cute they can get away with a lot of stupid things."
Meaning that they can get ahead with their looks rather than their brains.
Remember my first point.
"If a man (or woman) is cute they can get away with a lot of stupid things."
Meaning that they can get ahead with their looks rather than their brains.Well then it's a good thing you're cute, Doc, cause I still think you're full of it. ;)
To be continued over drinks then...
You ain't so bad yourself Marigold.
Just to be clear I never said that it was right. I was just stating what it looks like.
=o)
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