Hip-Hop Music and Its Adverse Affect on Women
Hip-Hop Music and
Its Negative Impact on African American Women
Irma Royster
Sociology 370-01
Professor Woods
4 March, 2011
ABSTRACT
In the world of hip-hop music, the message for young women is that in order to be considered beautiful, you have to take your clothes off or allow yourself to be demeaned and degraded by the rappers/hip-hop artist in the entertainment field. People outside the African American community see these portrayals of our women and assume these actions are characteristic of all black women. These images and depictions are false. African American women have had to endure ridicule, disrespect and blatant betrayal by the music moguls, and African American men for over 30 years now. Because our men, brothers and sons seldom give our sisters any respect through this music, it has evolved into a self-fulfilling prophecy and therefore our young black women believe that they don’t deserve respect.
HIP HOP MUSIC AND ITS ADVERSE AFFECT ON AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN
On April 4, 2007, the MSNBC Don Imus in the Morning show, Imus referred to the Rutgers University women’s basketball team who is comprised of 8 African Americans and two white players as “nappy headed hos”. Many people were outraged and demanded that he be fired.
In the past 2 decades, African Americans have been the center of a disturbing controversy in the world of Hip hop music. This genre of music promotes the belief that the way to be a man is to have power and money. Many times the music is filled with obscenities, glorifying violence and disrespect for women. As it has turned into a cultural phenomenon, hip hop has changed with greater sexualization. More often than not, these rap/hip hop videos are where today’s youth get their ideas about love, friendship, dating and marriage. Among some of the more notorious rappers, Lil Wayne, also known as one of the greatest
Its Negative Impact on African American Women
Irma Royster
Sociology 370-01
Professor Woods
4 March, 2011
ABSTRACT
In the world of hip-hop music, the message for young women is that in order to be considered beautiful, you have to take your clothes off or allow yourself to be demeaned and degraded by the rappers/hip-hop artist in the entertainment field. People outside the African American community see these portrayals of our women and assume these actions are characteristic of all black women. These images and depictions are false. African American women have had to endure ridicule, disrespect and blatant betrayal by the music moguls, and African American men for over 30 years now. Because our men, brothers and sons seldom give our sisters any respect through this music, it has evolved into a self-fulfilling prophecy and therefore our young black women believe that they don’t deserve respect.
HIP HOP MUSIC AND ITS ADVERSE AFFECT ON AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN
On April 4, 2007, the MSNBC Don Imus in the Morning show, Imus referred to the Rutgers University women’s basketball team who is comprised of 8 African Americans and two white players as “nappy headed hos”. Many people were outraged and demanded that he be fired.
In the past 2 decades, African Americans have been the center of a disturbing controversy in the world of Hip hop music. This genre of music promotes the belief that the way to be a man is to have power and money. Many times the music is filled with obscenities, glorifying violence and disrespect for women. As it has turned into a cultural phenomenon, hip hop has changed with greater sexualization. More often than not, these rap/hip hop videos are where today’s youth get their ideas about love, friendship, dating and marriage. Among some of the more notorious rappers, Lil Wayne, also known as one of the greatest
References: Bradley, Adam. (2009). Book of Rhymes: The Poetics of Hip-Hop. New York: Civitas Press, Cosby, Bill.(2007) Grier, H William. Black Rage. (1992). Printed in United States of America: Basic Books, Havelock, Nelson.(1991) Hooks, Bell. (1993) Sisters of the Yam: Black Women and Self Recovery. Boston, Mass.; South End Press. Lazarine, Cameron.(2008). Rap Up: The Ultimate Guide to Hip Hop and R&B. New York; Grand Central Publishing. Lerner, M. Richard. (2007). The Good Teen. New York; Stonesong Press. Shabazz, David. (1999). Public Enemy Number One. Awesome Records Publishing. Clinton, South Carolina. Watkins, Craig.(2005). Hip-Hop Matters: Politics, Pop Culture, and the Struggle for the Soul of a Movement ENDNOTES [i]Jay-Z Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969) better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper and businessman