The polished essay was due, Tuesday, Sept. 24 (see 9/16). It should be 750 words or three pages minimally. Incorporate citations: 1 paraphrase, 1 direct citation and 1 block quote. Please include a works cited page and a bibliography. If you are unclear about what this means check in Hacker under Research. Sources should include: the film, a song, and Track 4. "Cover Your Eyes As I Describe a Scene so Violent; Violence, Machismo, Sexism, and Homophobia."
Post your response to the Initial Planning Sheet; the outline, and a narrative of the feedback you received on the first draft of the essay. Remember, a peer review is just feedback. You do not have to change anything.
If I give you feedback you have to address it :-) You can always email me for feedback before posting. Make sure you press the "preview" option before posting. Check to make sure the formatting is correct, that is, the paragraphs are clearly marked.
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19 comments:
Faraj Fayad
9:00-10:50 am
Masculinity in Hip-Hop
Byron Hurts has been a big fan of hip-hop music for a long time,
and ever since back in the day all he noticed in commercial music videos
was, money getting thrown around, expensive cars, and half naked women
dancing in front of a camera. Eager to find out why a lot of videos
were so similar, he raised enough money to make a film about the use of
these certain images, especially the women who lower their self-esteem
by exhibiting their bodies in public. The film includes an interview of
hip-hop emcees, Michael Eric Dyson, and a lot of other talented artists
who also have strong opinions about these themes.
Hurts film, HipHop; Beyond Beats and Rhymes and Track 4, "Cover Your Eyes
as I Describe a Scene so Violent" from Dysons book, Know What I Mean, talk
about hip-hop becoming overspread with many deficient subjects. The main discussion
is how straight men act superior towards women and homosexuals, while avoiding
the thought of looking or acting weak. Hurts and Dyson go through the concepts
of masculinity, sexism, homophobia, and violence that males fall culprit of, not
only in commercial rap and music videos, but also in real life.
Being a person who grew up around two different cultures, one in a first
world and the other in a third world country, I’ve come to realize that these
countries separated by seas have no difference in their will to portray a man as
a machismo compared to a woman. Back home in which the third world country Syria
lies, a man is the owner of a house and is most respected in a family, all because
he's supposed to be the one who protects and provides shelter for the family. In
the U.S., women had to protest to get the right to vote, and now are being
called a name that puts them at a level of a female dog. It hurts to know that
the term "bitch" is being used most in my favorite music genre.
2008 years of living with aware that we have a conscience, still, men look
at a woman as less of a person than a man while knowing it was a woman who gave
birth to, nursed and raised us. In track 4, after Hurts asks Dyson, "why aren’t
more men confronting the sexism in hip-hop?” Dyson replies "The hip-hop industry
is built in large measures on the dominant masculine voice, a voice that rarely
expresses respect for women as peers-only as mothers" (Know What I Mean 111).
after saying it doesn’t interest men to talk about this subject. This I don’t
understand because the ladies that rappers are criticizing are going to carry their children one day.
Hurts video displays the video of rapper Nelly's song called "Tip Drill,"
and how it effects women in a very deep and emotional way, because of the
disrespect shown for women in it. The course suggests that it must be the girls
body because she has an unattractive face and the video has a lot of scenes where
the women are dressed in bikinis and shaking their body. A scene that got some
women, not only at Spellman College irritated was when "a young man swiped a
credit card through a young woman’s gluteus maximus" (Know What I Mean 99)
When viewing "Tip Drill" and other videos that have women expressing
themselves sexually, I wonder why these women chose to do so. Is it to get more
attention and get recognized because they were on TV with a famous rapper, or
is that the only way they believe they can make money. A song that reminds me of
this theme is called "Sisters and Bitches" by Jay-Z, in which he talks about how
a "sister" and a "bitch" differ from one another. I also realize that we humans
are here to please each other and that includes looking at one another in sexual terms.
In rap, a rapper tries to sound hard and speaks with a sense of strength
avoiding a gay feeling, but sometimes heterosexual males say thing that are somewhat
closer to the gay side than they are to the straight. Dyson says, "hip-hop artists
speak about M.O.B (money over bitches)..., placing "homies" above women, because
men make money with men..., there is an unapologetic intensity of devoting that
Surely evokes at some level homoerotic union" (Know What I Mean 120).
The image of a gun is a phallic symbol for power and also relates to
violence. When rappers mention a weapon in their rhymes, it is mostly to give
out a sound of masculinity. Hurts says, "hip-hop is suffused with violence"
(Know What I Mean 91), which is true because violence is an attraction to
the human mind. Take wrestling for instance, its all about muscular men
knocking each other out wit metal chairs, and look how many fans there are for
WWE. Dyson Wrote, "violent masculinity is at the heart of the American Identities,"
(Know What I Mean 93), meaning that this country is fascinated with the use of weapons.
The gun can be be implement of the barbarity of our so-called civilized
society. It is the very instrument that's taken up in the fight over the
second amendment by the NRA and other citizens who posses arms is the
extension of America’s freedom. (Know What I Mean 93)
Hip hop Like every thing else in the world, is based on what’s going on in
Its environment. When President Bush declares war on other nations hip hop talks
about it. If a disaster takes place, it’s all over hip-hop songs. So in a way Hip-hop
is like our daily news but mixed into a beat. More to it than that hip-hop puts,
our thoughts, feelings, and experiences in life into a big rhyme.
Kimberly Peterson
Professor Sabir
English 1B
25 September 2008
Initial Planning Sheet
1. The subject of my paper is about the exploration of the masculinity in the hip hop culture, and in the media. Where it has come from and where it is now. Even why it is here.
2. I wanted to write about this subject because I felt like I could really relate to this topic; I always felt like hip hop was pretty demeaning to the female race. I always wondered why it was so, and I decided to write this topic just for myself, to get a greater understanding. 3. The audience I am writing for is for all of my peers. This essay is written for people who already have some background about the hip hop music and culture to this day, and even have some knowledge about how it was like in the 1970’s.
4. The question I want my paper to answer is “why masculinity has evolved so much over the years, and how are the men affected by what they are seen doing?
5. The main strategy that I will use on my essay is that I will try to use a problem to a solution view throughout the entire time I write my essay.
Kimberly Peterson
Professor Sabir
English 1B
25 September 2008
Outline
Thesis: Although men are perceived as masculine icons all over American culture because they have been seen as womanizing in their violent activities, is it really because the culture has evolved by the media and music industry?
I. What is the masculine icon really perceived to, for Americans?
A. Men are seen as God like figures with their glistening wet bodies in magazines.
B. They are like animals in the wild.
C. With violence, drugs, guns.
D. Misogyny/Cultural amnesia of men.
E. Letting other men thinking they are inferior. (i.e. Kanye West isn’t “Hard enough” to be a rapper.)
II. The culture of it began from the late 1960’s, how has this affected us now and how has this evolved to what it is now?
A. Urban decay, always poor. No job opportunities, nor education. Gangs even began in that time era. Everyone looks back at that time era, and everyone wants to be a gangster now, everyone wants to be like Al Capone.
B. This has become an outlet, rapping to let out the poverty through a song.
C. Prison culture in America.
D. Graffiti, bad choices of the youth. They were their own generation, now that that generation has past; there is still unhealthiness in America. It was like a disease that spread.
Conclusion: In the end, the media is to blame to how people react to what is shown. The times have certainly changed and the media, I guess you could say is out of control.
Kimberly Peterson
Professor Sabir
English 1B
25 September 2008
Virility in Hip Hop
By watching “Hip Hop beyond Beats and Rhymes,” some of the interviews that director Byron Hurt, who is a long time hip hop fan had exposed to us and to himself, about the misogyny, masculinity, and homophobia that hip hop that displays to America, has really opened up my eyes. Hip hop is everywhere in America now, it spread throughout like epidemic, ever since it rose in the 1960’s, but it had started out in one of the poorest neighborhoods (a ghetto) in America which was the Bronx in New York. It is now one of the most leading genres in the music industry, and it is considered to be the most influential to Americans. Hip hop is used as an outlet by the listeners. Within the hip hop culture, people dance, make beats, rap, and even their own music. Looking deeper into the lyrics of hip hop, we also see injustice, and how we are treating women and even other male figures in hip hop. When did masculinity start playing the bigger role in the hip hop culture? I am going to explain that, although, men are perceived as masculine icons all over American culture because they have been seen as womanizing in their violent activities, is it really because the culture has evolved by the media and the music industry?
The masculine icon comes out in all shapes and sizes in the media. One of the biggest images that stick out in my mind is a picture of LL Cool J with his shirt off. You can see his wet body with his budging muscles, and he looks right into the camera, so it appears to be that he is looking at you. What could be possibly more sexual and dominating? We are born into a culture where the media tells us that men have to show their dominance over other men (and women too). Another way for men to show off their masculinity is by making fear in others. Many rap artists are living in fear because there are other men that are trying to take them down, physically and emotionally. An American rap artist from New York, 50 cent, describes that he even lives in fear, “Many men, wish death upon me/Blood in my eye dawg and I can't see/ I'm trying to be what I'm destined to be/ And niggaz trying to take my life away/I put a hole in nigga for fucking with me…”( Many Men). But this does not regard the fact that he would take someone’s life away from them if they got into his way. Collectively speaking, in hip hop, the only subject matter that is really ever talked about in songs is: money, guns, and the dominating of the female race. It is as if they are inside of a box that allows them to only think about the same subject because all songs possess the same images. They let you know that they are the tough guy.
Other than the fact that men are living in this constant stage of “fear,” Michael Dyson, the author of Know What I Mean?, would argue that the black male is also living in this warped “cultural amnesia.“ Dyson explained that men are treating women like slaves, just like how women used to be treated after they got shipped into America from Africa, to be sold. Their private parts would be exploited, and whoever had the greatest virility would be chosen to be bought. Present day, women’s private parts are still being exploited all over the media. Looking back at Hip hop’s roots, we see that it has derived from the poorest cities in America. It was a type of prison culture that children and adults of all ages were living in, was based on violence, drugs, and abuse of all types. It was a type of urban decay that still goes on to this day, that were little to no job opportunities offered and for that reason alone many people were unable to obtain an education. Gangs branched out in different neighborhoods, and there was a lot of street violence including the defacing private property, graffiti. Hip hop was a way for these alienated people to respond to life with a healthy outlet.
The hip hop movement type allowed the prison culture to exist far from the prisons into these poor neighborhoods. They have made their own prison, within this culture. Michael Dyson tells us that “…the social landscape of black male life means that it increasingly seems natural for black males to go to jail---or even to want to go to jail, as a place they have allegiance to…” (14) Most black men feel incarcerated already. Not literally because they can’t get ahead of the system, but mentally because that it why they demote themselves from being a productive citizen, into becoming a drug seller. The mentality of life was totally different from middle class urban society. Realistically, living this type of prison culture lifestyle will eventually led a person to prison, or worst, even to death.
In conclusion, masculinity plays a big role in our country, and so does what the media say. Too bad it couldn’t be said as another American rapper put it, “…we walking around in a club, I’m wondering why we can’t walk around and smile and each other,” (Fat Joe, Hip hop beyond…). Imagine if everyone walked around and smiled at each other, what a perfect world that would be, right? Realistically, they would be thought as a sissies, or a homosexuals. The earth could never be this way because violence that goes on everyday in the media that is made to seem like it is okay. I’ve even heard people get upset because the rappers are just rapping about stuff that they have never even done, but in the end the reality of it is that it just a story. Its all fake life. They are living there life’s out as if this was all a theatrical performance put on for all of the people in this nation.
Works Cited
Dyson, Michael, Jay-Z, Nas. Know What I Mean?. New York: Basic Civitas, 2007.
Independent Lens: Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes. Byron Hurt. 2006. http://www.lyrics007.com/50%20Cent%20Lyrics/Many%20Men%20Lyrics.html
Peer Review
Tamalia Jackson peer-reviewed my paper and I was told that in the first paragraph, I had some good ideas. “Hip hop as being derived from poorest cities in America”- as somewhat true.
Augustine Roldan (My partner in crime) peer-reviewed over a more updated draft of my essay and told me that my title did not match with my entire essay. (So I corrected it) He also told me to use more of my own original ideas, “do I have to explain where hip hop came from?”, “people use hip hop to get out of neighborhoods”, “a real gangster life style, like Capone”, “When did hip hop machismo begin, and why did that style become so popular?”, “Do rappers sometimes contradict themselves in there raps, Saying one thing in a rap and doing another.”
Deon Johnson
English 1B: Tuesday/Thursday: 9am – 10:50am
Hip Hop Essay: Since I viewed this movie before, I was going to take a chapter out of Dyson’s “What Do You Mean” and write something on that, but then I change my mind after I watched for like the thousand time, BET PRESENTS: HIP HOP ON AMERICA. I got pumped up and ready to talk, so I did, this is what I wrote.
Over the last few months hip-hop has been under attack in the mainstream media. However, the political hip-hop community has not been silenced. We have defended hip-hop from outside and feel confident in our defense. Unfortunately, most of our attempts to defend hip-hop have deflected valid criticisms of the music and culture. In response, this essay argues that being hip-hop is often a roadblock to intellectual honesty and hinders political organizing by allowing us to deflect critique.
When people identify as hip-hop, using the phrase, "I am hip-hop," criticisms of hip-hop may be internalized and may thus pose a problem for political and intellectual work. For example, following Don Imus' assertion that hip-hop itself was to blame for his degrading description of the Rutgers women's basketball team, those hip hop representatives reactionary response to the attack on its culture played in to an "us versus them" archetype, rather than spurring ownership and self-reflection.
On Feb. 20, Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes premiered on PBS. Directed by Byron Hurt, Beyond Beats is a loving insiders' critique of hip-hop and an excellent examination of how men involved in hip-hop construct masculinity. Hip-hop has been one of the few places where black men can express themselves publicly, and Hurt's film focuses on the ways young black men construct their masculinity in a racist, sexist, capitalist world. Hurt skillfully probes several rappers and fans of rap music about the ways that women are portrayed in music and videos and asks rappers why their lyrics are consistently violent and sexist. By the film's conclusion, the need to redefine masculinity is clear.
When questioned about violence and sexism, many rappers in Hurt's film respond by saying that only explicit music makes money. Rap, for many young black men, has become a job and a way to earn a living. Yet they work in a racist, capitalist state where employees, particularly black, do not receive a fair share of profits. To further complicate matters, black male artist-employees are faced with the reality that their primary consumers, young white people, are not willing to pay black men to behave in ways that pose a threat to institutional white supremacy.
This grim reality poses a difficult problem for individuals and artists who are committed to both hip-hop and social justice.
Hip-hop is a profitable business that's earned a handful of black people access to capital that has been otherwise elusive in the entertainment business. For many black men, looking at the career paths of Jay Z, Russell Simmons, P.Diddy, or equally successful independent artists who've made a living pressing and distributing their music, hip-hop employment seems both wise and lucrative. However, if we look at the artist-employees in Hurt's film, the question begging to be asked is, "At what cost to the black community has the hip-hop career path come?" Gender has certainly suffered in the wake of a profit-driven rap game. The image of black women and men must certainly be considered among the costs. When Lil Wayne release his album The Carter” in 2004, his kmost popluar song was “Hoes,” which he wanted to make a single but was force not to, because of the content of lyrics and never seen vedio:
“Hoes! Lets just talk about Hoes!
Can we talk about Hooooooeeeeesss Hooooooeeeeesss!
Lets Go
You got to talk like a pimp whats good mommee
you knew betta you threw betta who betta than
that nigga with the crisp. White tee icy white
sneaks jeans to a betta you do betta gettin yo ass
out off up in that coupe bitch. See yo ass on that new
leather and recupe bitch. Its only me you bitch on
our way to the stoop. I'm that birdman junior you ain't
know and don't give me that silly bullshit about you ain't
hoe. I move ya to my city put yo ass in ya 1-0. I have ya
lookin pretty at the half knock at the do. And gucci don't
fit you like it's suppose to be in pictures, I computer love
baby Wayne ya change your image. You need Weezy them other
boys just gimics. Me I'm just game, green and straight physics
is you wit it (Yeah)I ain't even tryin to hit it. I ma get it
once its time to get it. Lets talk about
I got this rat name Shelly dat loves Makaveli
Number 5 combo meals its bad she K-Y jelly. Our
old school shorty still drinkin 40's. Grab the mic
start a fight,fuck up the whole party. Maybe you
should leave, just yo weave thats velcro hell no bitch
go wit Steve. Got this lead singer bitch from a popular
group I would say her name but she bought me a coupe. Got
this poor hoe Shonna swear like Marijuana she dig lil wayne
but she love the big tymers. Got pretty gurl Patrice found out
Im fuckin her niece she tried to stab her so I grab her and we
call the police. Mr. Officer, dat bitch den lost it bra she goin
to jail oh well, I be fuckin her. See two dykes, spanish twins nuts
press on they chin, will we go belly low well nigga that depends
I got old school bitches and new school hoes
female basketball players with cornroles and i'on
like short haired girls no not really if I do she got to
look like the old halle berry or the broke toni braxton
or first lil kim but i still take hood rats and work with
them. I put yo ass in a jag and I got jerk ya quick. Give ya ass
a lil game if you smerk you in. I am pimp not a simp like ice in
my drink and I don't think twice or blink cuz Im focus rollin in
the whitest mink like im polar bear yeah let down my hair Get jazzy
on a bitch like Fred Astaire rose gold in her face get'em red as glare
My bentley plum my mercedes pear. I am lookin for a freak momma take me
there Yeah!”
By the end of the 2005 Feminism and Hip-Hop Conference, it was clear that hip-hop was central to the identities of many people present. After Joan Morgan, author of When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost, said that hip-hop as she knew it “was dead,” many audience members grew visibly upset. They were further angered when Black Noise author Tricia Rose said that, “because the music had internalized capitalism and misogyny, it was time to let hip-hop go.”(3)
The intellectual conflict between those angered by Rose and Morgan and those who were not was apparent during a panel that included video model Melyssa Ford and video director Jessy Terrero. Ford argued that there wasn't a problem with her portrayal in videos because she was in control of her image. Terrero stressed that women were portrayed in videos in a manner that “guaranteed profit for both the director and the label.” The "sex sells" position was interrogated during the question-and-answer period, when I asked myself, like I was a panel participants, "If having the Klan come through your video and lynch black folks is going to make you money, are you going to do it?" I followed that question by saying, "We have drawn a line with race. When will we draw a line in regards to gender?"
Terrero's response was problematic because it indicates an unwillingness to take responsibility for the sexist images he creates which are then televised around the country to a market that awaits subhuman, hypersexual images of black women. The crowd's approval demonstrates their unwillingness to hold him accountable and also illustrates that they too would rather engage in a conversation concerning the failures of education than discuss the ways in which hip-hop has internalized patriarchy and sexism. There is no doubt that American public schools are ill-equipped to educate youth and are in desperate need of reform. However, there is also no question that hip-hop has internalized patriarchy, and this too needs be addressed.
Beyond Beats and Rhymes provides us with the perfect place to begin this conversation. Unfortunately, we, the political hip hop community, has not picked up where Beyond Beats leaves off. In response to the attack on hip-hop, the community had called for a wider representation of hip-hop's musical, aesthetic and cultural diversity without addressing the culture's internalization of capitalism, misogyny and patriarchy. In response to Don Imus, and the blame he placed on hip-hop for providing him with the term "nappy-headed hoes," grassroots hip-hop activists, prominent hip-hop generation artists and intellectuals such as the “National Hip-Hop Political Convention,” Paris, Saul Williams and Jeff Chang have collectively responded to Imus and the attacks on hip-hop proclaiming, "Don't Blame Hip-Hop!" I have argued, many of times that labels and radio should be blamed because the hip-hop provided by these outlets is limited to materialistic, individualistic, sexist and violent portrayals of black folk. I have also argued that the sexism found within hip-hop is simply a reflection of sexism within the greater society and therefore should receive the brunt of criticism. Unfortunately, they do not address the sexism that runs rampant in hip-hop.
While there is no question that a broader representation of hip-hop is needed, such an achievement will not eliminate sexism. Responses to the attack on hip-hop and the audience response to Terrero at the “Feminism and Hip-Hop Conference” evade the internalization of patriarchy and capitalism by hip-hop. So why are folks committed to both hip-hop and social justice avoiding the discussion about the ways in which a music and culture we deeply care for has internalized patriarchy and sexism? Moreover, in the words of political scientist Jerry Watts, "If hip-hop only mirrors the existent pathologies of the parent society (ala sexism or outright misogyny or homophobia) then of what good is it to a subjugated community trying to emancipate itself?"(4)
One answer is that Hip Hop artists, largely dominated by men, silences women and lacks the intellectual tools to address sexism. This is inexcusable and must be changed! Perhaps we are intent to hold on to a culture that has internalized the worst aspects of a racist, sexist, capitalist society because, as a generation, our identity is deeply rooted in hip-hop. This unfortunately means that a critique of the way hip-hop has internalized patriarchy must lead to a painful examination of the ways we have internalized patriarchy. Despite the soreness this may cause, reflection and self-critique is necessary. In many ways, refusing to engage in this reflection mirrors the refusal of many whites to admit to collaborating with racism or acknowledging that America itself is a racist nation.
While rappers such as Dead Prez and Immortal Technique take revolutionary positions on race, neither have progressive views on patriarchy. Additionally, while the poster boy for political hip-hop progressivism, Mos Def, takes an insightful position on race and economics, in Hurt's film, he walks out of the room when asked by Hurt if a gay rapper could ever be embraced by the larger hip-hop community.
What we, hip hop lovers, must question is whether Mos Def, and other politically progressive rappers, can be called progressive if they refuse to address sexism and homophobia within hip-hop. Hip-hop is a vibrant and diverse subculture with a global audience and rich cultural significance. Progressive and committed hip-hop activists must embrace critique and not let our affinity for and loyalty to hip-hop trump the political contradictions that, once resolved, will allow it to solidly contribute to the struggle for social justice.
Work Cited
1.Vibe Magazine; National Hip Hop Political Convention pages 34-43
2.A-Z Lyrics
3.Hip Hop Magazine Issue, Feminism and Hip Hop Conferences
4.Bet, Hip Hop In America
5.Hip Hop beyond Beats and Rhymes
6.CNN.com
Ronald Tung
Wanda Sabir
English 1B
29 September 2008
Initial Planning Sheet
1. The subject of my paper is about masculinity in past and modern times. To find the message it portray behind the new “hip hop” culture and to get an in depth look on why it is what it is today.
2. I am interested in this subject because I am curious on the whole hip hop idea. When I was younger I indulged myself in hip hop culture and followed all the trends and ideas that were being communicated through the rap songs. Now that I have matured, I am interested to see how it influences teenagers today and the effects of it. Remembering that I was once one of these teenagers I want to find more information on it.
4. The question I want my paper to answer is “Why hip hop has become what it is today and what effects it has on our society?”
5. The main writing strategy I will use in this essay is a problem and solution method with a mix of some compare/contrast.
Wanda Sabir
English 1B
29 September 2008
Outline
Thesis: The genre of “Hip Hop” has been a huge controversial argument among our society for many years. Many argue that the effects of hip hop are a negative impact on young adults. While it is true that many hip hop songs are filled with vulgar and offensive language, is that the only thing that can be blamed?
I. How is masculinity portrayed and shown as in America?
A. Men are shown as the “hero” and the back bone of civilization in things such as movies and media in general.
B. The infamous half naked six pack male which is modeled in advertisement everywhere.
C. The rap songs which indulge in things such as sex, drugs, violence, money, fame power.
D. Men are shown as weaklings if they do not meet these criteria.
II. The origin of hip hop’s real meaning has changed over the years. How has it changed and what impact does it have on our society?
A. The so called Urban Decay. No escape within this world full of politics. Unrepresented and is trapped within poverty and violence. “Ghettos” if u will.
B. Hip Hop used to be a ways of communicating to the public. A way of representing their opinions and ideas. However, the meaning of hip hop has slowly drifted away into becoming a means for money.
C. Hip Hop = Money = Profit > then morals and the good of society.
Conclusion: While it may be true that America itself portrays men as the ultimate figure, that gun shooting, violence, drugs and the mistreatment of women is normal, it doesn’t make it right that rapping can incorporate this. Again I believe that it isn’t Americas fault but the people’s. The people who are complaining about Hip Hop and fighting to break free from things such as money, are the same people who make money off the industry. In the end the problem isn’t the people who control the money, but the people who sing it.
Ronald Tung
Wanda Sabir
English 1B
29 September 2008
Initial Planning Sheet
1. The subject of my paper is about masculinity in past and modern times. To find the message it portray behind the new “hip hop” culture and to get an in depth look on why it is what it is today.
2. I am interested in this subject because I am curious on the whole hip hop idea. When I was younger I indulged myself in hip hop culture and followed all the trends and ideas that were being communicated through the rap songs. Now that I have matured, I am interested to see how it influences teenagers today and the effects of it. Remembering that I was once one of these teenagers I want to find more information on it.
4. The question I want my paper to answer is “Why hip hop has become what it is today and what effects it has on our society?”
5. The main writing strategy I will use in this essay is a problem and solution method with a mix of some compare/contrast.
Wanda Sabir
English 1B
29 September 2008
Outline
Thesis: The genre of “Hip Hop” has been a huge controversial argument among our society for many years. Many argue that the effects of hip hop are a negative impact on young adults. While it is true that many hip hop songs are filled with vulgar and offensive language, is that the only thing that can be blamed?
I. How is masculinity portrayed and shown as in America?
A. Men are shown as the “hero” and the back bone of civilization in things such as movies and media in general.
B. The infamous half naked six pack male which is modeled in advertisement everywhere.
C. The rap songs which indulge in things such as sex, drugs, violence, money, fame power.
D. Men are shown as weaklings if they do not meet these criteria.
II. The origin of hip hop’s real meaning has changed over the years. How has it changed and what impact does it have on our society?
A. The so called Urban Decay. No escape within this world full of politics. Unrepresented and is trapped within poverty and violence. “Ghettos” if u will.
B. Hip Hop used to be a ways of communicating to the public. A way of representing their opinions and ideas. However, the meaning of hip hop has slowly drifted away into becoming a means for money.
C. Hip Hop = Money = Profit > then morals and the good of society.
Conclusion: While it may be true that America itself portrays men as the ultimate figure, that gun shooting, violence, drugs and the mistreatment of women is normal, it doesn’t make it right that rapping can incorporate this. Again I believe that it isn’t Americas fault but the people’s. The people who are complaining about Hip Hop and fighting to break free from things such as money, are the same people who make money off the industry. In the end the problem isn’t the people who control the money, but the people who sing it.
Aerin O’Leary
Professor Sabir
English 1B
Hoochie mama, video vixen, eye candy, arm pleasure or just a woman?
The film, Hip Hop Beyond and Rhymes, directed by Byron Hurt documents Hip Hop and explores many themes that hip hop entails. Being an avid fan himself he now feels that Hip Hop needs to be questioned and some of its motives are not in align with what it used to be. Throughout the film Hurt interviewed many different people from Hip Hop scholars, artists and fans. Hurt spoke about topics that today in Hip Hop are prevalent and need to be touched on. These themes include; racism, police brutality, homicide, homoerotism, sexism and more. He says that he actually feels bad questioning Hip Hop and being a critic but he feels it deals with him as a black man in this society. He noticed one day as he was watching BET (a major rap video channel) that all the videos seemed to be almost identical. This in itself was enough to make him question what is behind the lyrics and the reoccurring images and stereotypes within the music and industry.
When Hurt interviewed Hip Hop artist Talib Kweli, Kweli said that “hip hop is a very ego driven thing” many artists felt the same way and surprisingly enough they agreed with Hurts opinions and viewpoints whether it was because they were avoiding topics that were perhaps “sensitive” in the industry they put their two cents in. Within all the topics Hurt discussed they are all intertwined and are all seen in Hip Hop whether people choose to focus on it or not. The lyrics are becoming less and less conscious as labels are bought out by people who then change the sound and create something they think will sell. It seems as though Hip Hop is becoming a meaningless form of money making.
A little background on Hip Hop for those who may not know it all originated in the Bronx of New York City in 1970. In a time of when people began to find an alternative of expression while their lives were full of hardships. When we look at Hip Hop in the 70’s we can see almost no relevance to today’s ‘Hip Hop.” An example of this is in Hurt’s film it shows a devoted fan and aspiring rapper saying that “they (the producers) usually don’t give us a record deal if we speak righteously.” I would like to ask why this is? Hip Hop artists like The Fugees, A Tribe Called Quest, Hieroglyphics all speak their mind and touch on the topics our world faces. They are not on T.V. throwing money out into a crowd singing about killing people and getting rich. Why is Hip Hop taking a turn that appears to be negative? Can it go on like this in the future or will it see a positive change sometime soon?
Like almost everything in life there is both good and bad. This is evident in Hip Hop as well. Think of all the people, especially bringing focus to the youth they have learned and grown from and with Hip Hop. Without its songs and often its meaningful lyrics they would have no knowledge or rooting to politics and other issues that involve them. Hip Hop scholar such as Dyson and Hurt shed light on Hip Hop, seeing the side of Hip Hop that is particularly evident today. They are acknowledging Hip Hop’s authenticity and style yet pose questions and raise issues that affect everyone today. To me Hip Hop seems to have given the youth a voice through song, a newfound freedom to use their talent and own creative style to flow rhythmically and touch others the way it has to them.
A song that immediately stands out in my head as derogatory, sexist and overall a bit degrading to women is Busta Rhymes “I Love My Bitch” ft. Kelis. This song repeatedly talks about how his woman or “bitch” never lets him down, wants sex in the club and how every other woman is a “hoe”. Busta Rhymes refers to her as a “bitch” and in turn she calls him a “nigger”. “The type that reserve that ass for a nigga…cuz that’s my bitch.” These types of lyrics are heard a great deal throughout Hip Hop and still make no sense as to why this is considered to be quality and listened to by millions of people daily. If it’s all about respect why can’t they seem to respect themselves?
This brings forth the issue of sexism in Hip Hop and through Byron’s Hurt’s documentary we see many examples of how sexism play out in the music, people, and their opinions in regards to how they view women. Hurt went to a Hip Hop festival during spring break to get some research on this topic. He interviewed both men and women to see their opinions. The guys claimed that it didn’t matter that it’s how they refer to women and that a bitch is just what they are worthy of being called, the women said that they did not mind it and they understood that they artists were not calling them personally a “bitch” just the women they are singing about. Of course Hurt was asking this to devoted fans and perhaps a different crowd would think otherwise.
The problem is that it has become a social norm to now refer to women as “bitches” or “hoes” and they are supposed to look a certain way and if they act the way they are portrayed in these videos they are then considered to be a “slut” or “skank” it is a vicious cycle in today’s culture and it is just at it’s prime.
In Michael Eric Dyson’s book, “Know What I Mean?” he speaks with Hurt on this very topic along with many others. In this particular chapter, “Violence, Machismo, Sexism, and Homophobia” Dyson is asked about how women are portrayed in rap and responds by saying that they are categorized in a few limited roles. They can either be the sexy woman every guy wants, a hooch, a women who does anything to get into a video. What about all the others? This is a standard set high yet these women are being bombarded with how they should look and when they do they are harassed and often called out for how they look or act.
Dyson has many points as to how Hip Hop is sexist and explores how even from a very early time in history women have been subjected and criticized.
Think back to Genesis 3:12, in the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve have disobeyed God and eaten from the forbidden tree…Adam blames it all on Eve: “And the man said, the woman whom thou gavest (to be) with me, she gave me the tree, and I did eat.”…If hip hop has a theology, it’s pretty consistent with the biblical justification of male misbehavior by blaming the seducing female. (Dyson 110)
It is interesting to look at Dyson’s perspective and see how sexism is much more than we perhaps can understand or grasp it too is a deeply rooted issue that seems to be at the bottom of the list of things today that need to be addressed and changed. When asked how come more men are not confronting the issue of sexism in hip hop, Duson replied, “The hip hop industry is built in large measure on the dominate masculine voice, a voice that rarely expresses respect for women as peers-only as mothers. Rappers love their mama but hate their baby mammas…the moment men begin to challenge the retrograde…of hip hop culture, they feel that they’re going to be ostracized.” (Dyson, 111)
Continually hip hop is growing and becoming revolutionized and sexism is only one of the many issues seen throughout hip hop something that needs to be looked at and altered. Experts such as Dyson and Hurt are only a few hip hop know it alls who can encourage others to look at hip hop through a different lens and consider that as mighty as it is it to may have its faults.
Works Cited
Dyson, Michael, Jay-Z, Nas. Know What I Mean?
New York: Basic Civitas: 2007.
Independent Lens: Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes.Byron Hurt. 2006.
http://www.metrolyrics.com/i-love-my-bitch-lyrics-busta-rhymes.html
Peer Review
Kimberly Peterson reviewed my paper and stated that I did have "a lot of good points"...but the thesis was confusing and was presented too late in the paper. She said the ideas seemed to be scattered and could be grouped together to develop a better paper. She also said that the quotations were well done.
Faraj Fayad
9:00-10:50am
Engl 1b
Initial Planing Sheet
1. The subject of my paper is about
Masculinity in the hip-hop culture.
2. I want to write about my masculinity because its a big part of the hip-hop culture. the way songs sound machismo, the baggy clothes,the use of the term (M.O.B)...
3. The audiance I will write for is for those who know me, only because I include a lot of my opinions and ideas in the paper.
4. The question I want my paper to
answer is...
Why is hip-hop overspread with such
unpleasant themes as sexism,
homophobia, machismo, and violence.
5. My main strategy in writing this
paper is giving examples of things
that are going on in the the world that relate to whats going on in hip-hop, like discussing why theres violence in the music.
Work cited page
Micheal, Eric Dyson. "Track 4: Cover Your Eyes as I Describe a Scene so Violent." Know What I Mean? Basic Civitas Books, 2007. 91-122.
Byron, Hurts. "Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes."2/20/07. Independent Television Service (ITVS) 2007http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/hiphop
Ronald Tung
Wanda Sabir
English 1B
29 September 2008
Initial Planning Sheet
1. The subject of my paper is about masculinity in past and modern times. To find the message it portray behind the new “hip hop” culture and to get an in depth look on why it is what it is today.
2. I am interested in this subject because I am curious on the whole hip hop idea. When I was younger I indulged myself in hip hop culture and followed all the trends and ideas that were being communicated through the rap songs. Now that I have matured, I am interested to see how it influences teenagers today and the effects of it. Remembering that I was once one of these teenagers I want to find more information on it.
4. The question I want my paper to answer is “Why hip hop has become what it is today and what effects it has on our society?”
5. The main writing strategy I will use in this essay is a problem and solution method with a mix of some compare/contrast.
Wanda Sabir
English 1B
29 September 2008
Outline
Thesis: The genre of “Hip Hop” has been a huge controversial argument among our society for many years. Many argue that the effects of hip hop are a negative impact on young adults. While it is true that many hip hop songs are filled with vulgar and offensive language, is that the only thing that can be blamed?
I. How is masculinity portrayed and shown as in America?
A. Men are shown as the “hero” and the back bone of civilization in things such as movies and media in general.
B. The infamous half naked six pack male which is modeled in advertisement everywhere.
C. The rap songs which indulge in things such as sex, drugs, violence, money, fame power.
D. Men are shown as weaklings if they do not meet these criteria.
II. The origin of hip hop’s real meaning has changed over the years. How has it changed and what impact does it have on our society?
A. The so called Urban Decay. No escape within this world full of politics. Unrepresented and is trapped within poverty and violence. “Ghettos” if u will.
B. Hip Hop used to be a ways of communicating to the public. A way of representing their opinions and ideas. However, the meaning of hip hop has slowly drifted away into becoming a means for money.
C. Hip Hop = Money = Profit > then morals and the good of society.
Conclusion: While it may be true that America itself portrays men as the ultimate figure, that gun shooting, violence, drugs and the mistreatment of women is normal, it doesn’t make it right that rapping can incorporate this. Again I believe that it isn’t Americas fault but the people’s. The people who are complaining about Hip Hop and fighting to break free from things such as money, are the same people who make money off the industry. In the end the problem isn’t the people who control the money, but the people who sing it.
The Evolution Of Hip Hop
By Ronnie Tung
The genre of “Hip Hop” has been a huge controversial argument among our society for many years. Many argue that the effects of hip hop are a negative impact on young adults. While it is true that many hip hop songs are filled with vulgar and offensive language, is that the only influence that can be blame? In this essay we will explore the opinions and the ideas on this matter with hip hop scholars such as Byron Hurt, Michael Dyson and Felicia Pride.
For many decades, men have been competing with one another through all sorts of things. Whether it is for power or women, it always comes down to how masculine one is. In past and modern day America, masculinity is portrayed quite excessively. Everywhere one turns, there is an advertisement or picture of a really built male who is showing off his six pack and usually has an attractive female under his arm or near him. In movies, men are portrayed as violent and daring creatures who seek trouble just to be an attractive “badass”. One can see the influence that the media has on our younger society. If you look at women for example, many of them strive to be the skinny attractive girl with any means necessary just because they feel that it is the only acceptable way of living.
In Felicia Pride’s “The Message”, she says, “It didn’t help matters that the fabulous life I was supposed to live in New York was a perpetual cycle of empty bank accounts, loft ambitions that I couldn’t seem to achieve, and teases from my passion.”
With men, it is that much more effective. The pressure of being the perfect guy so that women will notice and worship you is unbelievable. If one looks at it from a big picture, the influence of this both compliment one another. Both are trying to impress the other and are under the influence of the media. Aside from America’s point of view, many argue that Hip Hop is a huge influence on the sex, abuse, drugs and violence within our communities. That not only is society struggling with these subjects but it is promoted within everything from your radio to the media in general. If one was to ask our youth today, many view Hip Hop as not only degrading but offensive and a bad influence. This may be true, for example, the song “Love in the Club” by Usher ft. Young Jeezy
Gotta do it for the ladies
And I gotta keep it hood
Where we at Polo (Ay)
I see you Ryan
What you do was right
But we just gettin started
Yeaa Man..
Usher
You see you searching for somebody
That'll take you out and do you right
Well come here baby and let daddy show you what it feel like
You know all you gotta do is tell me what you sippin' on
And I promise that I’m gonna keep it comin’ all night long
Lookin’ in your eyes while you walk the other side
And I think that shorty I’ve got a thing for you
Doin’ it on purpose winding and workin’ it
I can tell by the way you lookin’ at me girl
I wanna make love in this club (in this club, in this club, in this club)
I wanna make love in this club (in this club, in this club, in this club)
Usher
You got some friends rollin’ wit you baby then that's cool
You can leave them with my niggers let em know that I got you
If you didn’t know, you’re the only thing that’s on my mind
Cuz the way I'm staring miss you got me wantin to give it to you all night
Lookin’ in your eyes while you walk the other side
I can't take it no more, baby I'm coming for you
You keep doin’ it on purpose winding and working it
If we close our eyes it could be just me and you
I wanna make love in this club (in this club, in this club, in this club)
I wanna make love in this club (in this club, in this club, in this club)
I wanna make love in this club (in this club, in this club, in this club)
I wanna make love in this club (in this club, in this club, in this club)
Young Jeezy
(Well, you know we always rollin!, Im on em')
Yea, Let's Go
I’m what you want, I’m what you need
He got you trapped, I’ll set you free
Sexually, mentally, physically, emotionally
I’ll be like your medicine, you’ll take every dose of me
It’s going down on aisle 3, I’ll bag you like some groceries
And every time you think about it you gon’ want some more of me
About to hit the club, make a movie yeah rated R
Pulled up like a trap star,
That's if you have yo regular car
You ever made love to a thug in the club with his Sice on
87 jeans and a fresh pair of Nikes on
On the couch, on the table, on the bar, or on the floor
You meet me in the bathroom yeah you know I’m trying go
Usher
You might as well give me a kiss
If we keep touching like this
I know you scared
Baby, they don't know what we doin
dont smoke it, im fresh right here
Keep it up girl and I swear
I'ma give it to you non-stop
And I don't care who's watchin
watchin, watchin (watchin, watchin)
oohh, get it shawty, on the floor
Baby was made for love
I wanna make love in this club (in this club, in this club, in this club)
I wanna make love in this club (in this club, in this club, in this club)
Yea...
Usher who is a well respected R&B singer has now incorporated Young Jeezy into his songs. To see a huge icon who totally defied American societies “masculinity” and to be devoured by it is quite saddening. It goes from a meaningful love of his life chase to an “I want to get laid anywhere”. While I still love the songs Usher sings, I cannot quite listen to this song the same.
I agree with Byron Hurt’s film “Hip Hop: Beyond beats and rhymes. As an elementary to high school boy, I used to indulge myself in Hip-Hop or "Rap". He talks about why women do not feel offended by the songs that are put out. One thing that really interest me was that in the film, Byron Hurt talks to a group of women and asks them what they feel about the music video “Tip Drill” and the lyrics. They responded by saying they did not feel offended because they weren’t directing it to me. He answered by saying that if it’s not toward you then who is it toward? That really caught my eye to see that many people don’t understand what’s really happening.
I can tell from my own experience as a middle/high schooler that Rap and Hip Hop were huge impacts. It was the thing to do and everyone listened to it, girls and boys. It was the music that played at parties and clubs and was known as the music that should be listened to. Around the middle of my high school years, I stopped listening to rap altogether. Not exactly sure what it was that caused me to stop but I believe it was a mix of the degrading lyrics for men and women as well as the pictures and videos that were shown. Hip Hop also helped me develop a hatred for this type of genre because you can tell the people who really over listen and follow these songs aren't the ones with the loyal girlfriend or a loving family. But rather it’s the people who have self esteem issues and do not know who they are.
The music was insulting not only to me but to my significant other at the time on multiple occasions. When I see the girls who go out clubbing who are very attractive and are close friends with me, I asked them why they do it. To me, rap is degrading to women and it doesn’t make sense that you party to it. They just said, “I don’t listen to the lyrics, the beats are cool". Nonetheless men treat it as a different thing. I feel that Rap and or Hip Hop is getting better in terms of lyrical composition but I can say it was and still is a HUGE impact on our society as a whole. If you just go to your local high school, you will notice that at least 40-50% of guys and girls where name brand Hip hop clothes which hang past the belt line as if it’s the normal thing to wear. It just possesses our society and is a huge influence in middle school, high school and college life. Peer pressure through songs is a big issue as well.
While it may be true that America itself portrays men as the ultimate figure, that gun shooting, violence, drugs and the mistreatment of women is normal, it doesn’t make it right that rapping can incorporate this. Again I believe that it isn’t Americas fault but the people’s. The people who are complaining about Hip Hop and fighting to break free from things such as money, are the same people who make money off the industry. In the end the problem isn’t the people who control the money, but the people who sing it. Media and the power of those with money will never go away, so if there is a must in change; money needs to become less significant to us then our society.
Works Cited
Dyson, Michael, Jay-Z, Nas. Know What I Mean?. New York: Basic Civitas, 2007.
Independent Lens: Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes. Byron Hurt. 2006.
www.metrolyrics.com/lets-make-love-in-the-club-lyrics-usher.html
Dominique West
Initial Planning Sheet
1)The subject of my paper is about women and how their sexuality is seen through a "Rappers" eyes and how they seem to perceive women.
2)I want to write about this subject because I think that its important that a woman has self-esteem based on what she thinks about herself as opposed to the women portrayed on the television and in magazines.
3) I am writing this essay for all audiences.
4) The question I want my research paper to answer is: Why do women feel the need to lower themselves for the likes of a man?
5) The writing strategy that I used is description.
Outline:
P1:Brief overview of the film we watched...
P2: As a woman I don't feel the need to go out and do what the women in the videos are doing...
P3: A brief talk on the way songs degrade women...
P4:Women have taken so long to speak up on the subject to the point where no one really takes them seriously...
P5: Rap isn't about rap. It's about who has what whose in who's video and what they are doing there...
Essay:
Dominique West
Tue-Thurs 9-10:50am
Sabir
English 1B
September 29, 2008
We watched a movie in class today directed by Byron Hurts. I think that the movie was pretty good. There are a lot of things in hip hop that seem to get plenty of attention when it shouldn't get any. For example the scantily clad women who are in the videos get nothing but attention because they put themselves out there. They receive this attention because producers and people of that nature assume that that is what we want to see. No one raps or free styles about important things anymore. It's all about guns, drugs, a$$, and money. That's plenty of the reason why things go on wrong in the world. But for now it seems as though that's what's going to make money and that's what's going to get the worlds attention.
As a young woman it doesn’t make me want to go out and do what they are doing. It doesn’t make me want to go and buy the little itty bitty outfits that the women in the videos are wearing so that I can get attention. Hip-Hop has declined in the last few years. I remember as a kid being in the car with my mom and she would be playing music and of course I wasn’t into what she was listening to, but she would say, “This is real music.” As a kid it’s like "Ok, sure." But now looking back on it, I know what she meant. The music that’s being promoted now isn’t about much.It's the same thing; repeats, different versions, different rappers, but the same old song when it boils down to the lyrics.
The lyrics are disrepcectful and some women fine nothing wrong with them. You sometimes may even hgear a woman say, "That's my anthem." For example take Ludacris's "P-Poppin" song which was on BET's Uncut and featured on his album. It was the most degrading song I had heard and a woman was on the track rapping to it. Here is a sample of what the lyrics are like in the song:
[On a handstand on my American bandstand somersaults cartwheels bitch just keep on dancing
Chinese splits-splits slide on down that pole-pole And feel this dick gettin’ outta control Oh no keep goin till a nigga like me say stop Let it kiss the sky and then make it drop Tuck and twist if you don’t like it you can fuckin Cris Im rubbin clits so stay in catch don’t try to duck and miss (Bitch ) Do your stretches don’t pull no hamstrings You got me movin’ in fact your doin the damn thang Stronger muscles exercise every body your body hurts Lets do this sweatin thank God your bath and body works I like a woman who makes her own doe don’t need a lot of help
But your heart’ll melt if I put a thousand in your garter belt lipgloss traces your pierced in 11 places And your lips down town just made some familiar faces like WHOA ]
This songs talks so horribly about what is under woman's skirt that it is ridiculous. I think the song itself made women look bad and men look like horny old men. It's so explicit and disrespectful. Being a young woman I wouldn't want any guy talking to me like because it's supposed to be what's 'hot".
Women in my opinion have taken so long to take a full stand on the issues and speak out against what is going on that by the time it's brought to light it seems as though no one wants to take it seriously. In Dyson's, "Know What I mean." He makes a comment relating to that issue. He says, "Black women have displayed such extraordinary to fidelity to the race that when they finally decide to speak up for themselves, they are viewed as traitors." [Dyson, Track 4 Pg.104]How can you take them seriously when that same woman is up in the club dancing with all different guys to those songs. I think that the reason why so many women lower themselves is because these rappers and lyricist make them feel as though there is no other way to be besides tall, having a bangin' body and willing to do whatever it takes to become the top off everyone's list. It's difficult to find yourself when everyone else is telling you who to be.
As a whole with the videos and women in them and with the rap lyrics rap is not rap anymore. It's about who has who in the video, who is NOT wearing what, who looks the best, and which female has the biggest booty so that they can cast her or get her for their own private sessions. You hear words when they are "rapping" but there is no true sound. There is no depth to anything that they are saying. Most of the old school rappers talked about what people were going through. Half of the time if you want to hear something with someone talking about something you resort to R&B. But even then they are singing the same sad love song. So what do you do about it? I'm not sure what hip-hop is going be like 10 years from now. Thus far it doesn't look that great.
Jennifer Nguyen
Initial Planning Sheet
1. The subject of my paper is sexism in Hip Hop.
2. I want to write about this subject because as a girl, I ca relate to being a women and how my gender can cause others to treat me differently. Considering how, being born in an asian family, I know asians have a history of liking boys more.
3. The audience that I am specifically aiming for are women and girls of all ages.
4. In my research paper, some of the questions I want answered are:
-How does Hip Hop portray women?
-How does women react to this?
-Why did it take women so long to act against it?
5. I want to bring up the issue in full detail and talk about the different aspects that people might have on this issue.
-----------------------------------
Outline
Thesis: Women are being treated as property, a plaything in the hip hop society; while some blames the music industry, others are saying that perhaps women had bought this upon themselves.
1. Women devalued and treated as property.
-Michael Eric Dyson
2. Women bringing it on themselves
-Byron Hurt's video
-Missy Elliot's song: "Shake your pom pom"
3. How women react to this humiliation
-Spellman college
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Sexism: a recurrent issue in Hip Hop today
Hip Hop was originally a form of self expression, a way for an individual to display their thoughts and beliefs through the assistance of beats and rhythms. But through the years of society influence, hip hop has evolved into something greater than its original purpose. So great, that many can say that it has strayed from its “path.” It’s no longer only about reality and life through the ghetto, it’s also about the money, women, and violence. Making money and having so much of it that you can just throw it aimlessly. Being surrounded by women that show off their bodies and will do as you please to show how “manly” you are. And showing how “hard” you can be by carrying around guns, and putting up a face. Byron Hurt, a current activist saw just how much the music that he had loved was now completely different. This causes him to create and direct a documentary “Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes,” based on the issues in today’s hip hop culture. One of the subjects closely looked upon in the documentary was sexism, and the message and feeling it brings upon society.
Everywhere you go and everything you see, there will always be a case of a women being devalued when it comes to Hip Hop. Doesn’t matter if it’s in the music videos or in the lyrics themselves, men always have the advantage of being a pimp or a “playa” and “getting some action tonight.” In music videos, women are portrayed as an object, something that a man would have on both arms to show just how good he’s got it. Women in the music videos are dressed not to impress others with their sophisticated taste and knowledge, but to impress a man physically. With their bodies half covered, and their butts shaking in front of the camera, what sort of image would be given to the world about women in general? An issue bought up in the interview between Byron Hurt and Michael Eric Dyson was why women didn’t come out earlier. If some are so offended of what they see and disagrees completely with the moral, then why did it take women so long to come out and say something? To answer this question, Dyson brings up the situation with the women from Spellman College and Nelly; concerning his video: “Tip Drill,” which showed a young man swiping a credit card down a woman’s gluteus maximus. African American women are faced with many difficulties when the intention is to stand up against an issue with their same race. If African American women were to stand up against a young male from the same race, others would argue and call them traitors. Therefore the Spellman sisters were faced with a difficult question, if they were in fact female first, or black first. Dyson considers black women being both black and female. A woman is compiled of many confusing yet extraordinary traits. It takes women longer to respond to outrageous situations only due to different conflicting views. As Dyson stated, “Black men have often told black women that feminist concerns should only be addressed when the racial question is settled, but we all know that if black women wait that long, justice will never come” (104).
Another point of view for the topic of sexism can be at who to blame for the way hip hop has turned into. Some say it’s the music industry that is causing hip hop to be “fake;” how producers only want to produce a certain amount of things because they are sure this is what “the public wants.” However, an interesting point that Hurt had mentioned in his documentary is that it could also be seen as the women’s fault. For a section in the documentary, Hurt had joined all the kids for spring break. The film shows in details how forward the guys can get but also how the girls dress provocatively. With the word “sexy” labeled on your shirt or behind, it only makes it seem like it is ok for them to grab on. Even hip hop songs with female artists can be about showing off one’s body.
“There is no escape,
When I shake it in your face,
Now don't you wanna tape my booty shakin' on your tape,
So show it to yours boys,
See the look on all they face” (Missy Elliot)
In Hurt’s documentary, it showed scenes of girls being groped and whistled at; however, none of those girls responded positively. Yet when stated maybe the reason why those things happen were due to their clothing, the girls’ response was simply that it was spring break, and that they want to wear their short shorts on such a bright, hot day. Girls wear certain clothes for a reason, either they want to feel sexy or get attention. Every girl wants to wear something nice and go outside and be able to turn heads, therefore, when they wear this during spring break, the guys see it has a chance to be forward…since this is why the girls wear shorts that show half of their behind right? Hip Hop portraying girls half naked and dancing around with their booties shaking in the camera influences the younger generation, putting down little girls, and hyping up the younger boys.
It has been a circle of faults and blames. The music industry blames society, society blames the music industry, men blame the women, and the women blame the men. What we should all learn to accept is that hip hop evolved to what it is now with the involvement of everyone. If women didn’t like to wear provocative clothing then men wouldn’t be so intrigued. If the men weren’t so expressive with how much they like a women’s body, then society would not be affected. If society had not liked that type of things, then producers wouldn’t have to produce music focused on such crude topics. Sexism is an issue that was not originated from hip hop, however, with the topic of music these days, some can consider hip hop as a supporter of sexism. No matter who gets blamed for the subjects mentioned in hip hop, it shouldn’t count because it isn’t an entity that created this evolution by itself, it’s the world.
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Bibliography
1. Dyson, Michael Eric. "Cover your eyes as I describe a scene so violent." (underline) Know What I Mean? 24 Sept. 2008: 91-122.
2. Elliot, Missy. Lyrics. "Shake your pom pom." Timbaland. (underline) Block Party. CD. Atlantic. 2009. MISSY-ELLIOT.COM. 24 Sept. 2008. http://www.missy-elliott.com/index.php
3. (underline) Hip Hop Beyond Beats and Rhymes. Dir. Byron Hurt. Perf. Busta Rhymes, Clipse, Fat Joe, Jadakiss. 2006.
Wendy Estrada
English 1b
Tue & Th 9-10:50am
Hip Hop
In class we have been learning a lot about Hip Hop. In fact last week we watched a film in class by Byron Hurt. The film is called Hip Hop beyond Beats and Rhymes. It's a documentary of Hurt giving his opinion about hip hop. In this film Hurt talks about how today’s videos include a lot of violence, money, and sexism within them. In this film he showed a couple of clips of videos were he found that females were getting treated like slaves and the rappers being their owners. We also find out how the lyrics from today have no connection to viewers like the old school lyrics did.
While watching the film I started to realize that most of the stuff said in the film by Hurt, was similar to what Michael Eric Dyson was talking about in his book, “Know What I Mean?.” They both have the same idea towards hip hop and how it has taken a tremendous turn. Hurt and Dyson came to the conclusion that today’s rap is not rap. For them rapping is a representation of feelings and struggles. All you hear from today's common rappers is how they have money and can make a female shake there (ass) because they have money and the female should obey. For example here are the lyrics of the song Shake ya ass by Mystical:
[Shake ya ass, but watch yourself Shake ya ass, show me what you workin with I came here with my dick in my hand Don't make me leave here with my foot in yo' ass; be cool And don't worry bout how I'm rippin this shit When I'm flippin what I'm kickin nigga, that's just what I do I'm effervesecet and I'm off that crescent Nastier than a full grown German Shepherd; motherfucker keep steppin They don't fuck with me and they don't Y'all bitches cant catch me and you won't Pay ya fare, fix ya hair, throw that pussy Got a Prada for boonapalist, and Donna for my babooski You think I'm trickin? Bitch, I ain't trippin I'm buyin if you got nice curves for your iceberg Drinkin Henn and actin like it do somethin to me Hope this indecent proposal make you do somethin with me Fuck a dollar girl, pick up fifty And fuck that coward you need a real nigga Off top knick-a-boxers hurtin shit Bend over hoe; show me what you workin with!]
While reading the lyrics of this one very popular song I have realize that men really treat females like nothing. I feel that for them we are just one more object in there list. I believe that from them we have absolutely no respect. And that for them this song may be a true life reality when for a female is no other than a masculinity man having control over a female.
I have also agree wit Hurt when it comes to sexism in videos. He also said that hip hop is being “trapped in the box” and that box consist of players, pimps, strong, and dominate, having control and having lots of girls. In all these recent music videos I do see a lot of sexism from men to women. In most of the videos the man is shown to be the one with the power or control of the female. For example during the film Hip Hop beyond Beats and rhymes they showed a clip from a Nelly video that caused a lot of controversy and disturbance to the viewers. The clip showed how Nelly used the females but as if her behind was an ATM machine by swiping the car between her behind. This video clip for me was a clear vision of control and power over a female’s body. It basically showed how a female is a easy way of getting money.
I would like to wrap up my thoughts by saying that both Byron Hurt and Michael Dyson have the same idea as I do when it comes down to Hip Hop. I believe that rap and hip hop had a lot of truthful meanings back in the days. It showed daily struggles people went through to survive in life. Today all we have are wanna be rappers who think that with a couple of half naked females in their video they will make it as big as 2pac or many other out there that really came true and left a spot of respect for there music.
Initial planning sheet:
1.The subject of my paper Is showing how masculinity has taken over hip hop.
2.I want to talk about this subject because the reality is we love music, but we don’t always sit down and listen to the lyrics and understand the context.
3.This essay is to all of those who are interested in hip hop.
4.The question I want my pepper to answer is did rapping change from back in the days to know.
5.My main styrategy in writing this essay is giving examples and opinions about real things going down in the world.
Outline:
P1- intro about the film we watch by Byron Hurt.
P2- Dyson and Hurts definition on hip hop.
P3- Lyrics and explanation
P4- video’s exploitation
P4 – conclusion
Work cited :
Dyson, Michael, Jay Z, Nas. Know what I mean? New York: 2007
Hip hop: Beyond Beats and rhyme. Byron Hurt. 2006
http://www.lyricsdomain.com/13/mystikal/shake_ya_ass.html
Tammia Jackson
English 1b Tue- Thru
Wanda Sabir
Initial Planning Sheet
Initial Planning Sheet & Thesis
1. What is the subject of your paper? Misogyny in Hip Hop (Gangsta Rap)
2. Why do you want to write about this subject? I want to write about this subject, because it is a very strong and important issue in the hip hop culture.
3. What audiences will you write for? (Your audiences will determine whether you need technical or broad-based information from your sources) I am writing for audiences that have an open- mind and likes listening to different stereotypes.
4. What question does you what your research paper to answer? Is there a great deal of misogyny in Hip Hop (Gangsta Rap)
5. What is the main strategy you think you will use? Argument
Thesis
There is so much misogyny going on in today’s worlds the Misogyny in hip hop teaching young men, that it is o.k. to treat woman and such unacceptable ways? It is teaching man it is o.k. to treat woman like this these hip hop artiest need to stop encouraging this young men and treat woman so wrongly if this doesn’t stop there will be a lot of violence.
Tammia Jackson
English 1B Wanda Sabir
Essay 9/29/08
Misogyny in Hip Hop (Gangsta Rap)
In this Essay you will read about Misogyny in Hip Hop and were it is today. You also will learn about different stereotypes, and how different people look at hip hop and misogyny.
I believe that Byron hurt arguments are that today’s generation as completely change hip hop. In most music videos the majority of things you see is Jewelry, money and half naked woman, or men showing off there body’s, this also applies for Hip Hop magazines such as the Source. When hip hop first came out it was about, who had the best flow, showing who you are, getting your massage across and who had the most to say in there lyrics. It was about having fun like break dancing and seeing who was the best at what they did such as, raping, break dancing or graffiti.
Evidence in this film shows the massage Mr. Hurt was trying to get across. When he went to spring break and most of the woman you see, was barely wearing any clothes. Mr. Hurt interviewed several young men most of them had very nasty words to say calling woman bitches. The young men also said, when woman dress like that there a bitch, and the woman that don’t dress like that are woman. When Woman dresses with most of there skin showing men garb at them, and try to touch them and are rude.
To take "gangsta rap" to task for its sexism and misogyny while critically accepting and perpetuating those expressions of that ideology which reflect bourgeois standards (no rawness, no vulgarity) is not to call for a transformation of the culture of patriarchy. Ironically, many black male ministers, themselves sexist and misogynist, are leading the attacks against gangsta rap. Like the mainstream world that supports supremacist capitalist patriarchy, they are most concerned with calling attention to the vulgar obscene portrayals of women to advance the cause of censorship. For them, rethinking and challenging sexism, both in the dominant culture and in black life, is not the issue.
Gangsta rap is part of the anti-feminist backlash that is the rage right now. When young black males labor in the plantations of misogyny and sexism to produce gangsta rap, their right to speak this violence and be materially rewarded is extended to them by supremacist capitalist patriarchy. Far from being an expression of their "manhood," it is an expression of their own subjugation and humiliation by more powerful, less visible forces of patriarchal gangsterism. They give voice to the brutal raw anger and rage against women that it is taboo for "civilized" adult men to speak. No wonder then that they have the task of tutoring the young, teaching them to eroticize and enjoy the brutal expressions of that rage (teaching them language and acts) before they learn to cloak it in middle-class decorum or Robert Bly style reclaiming of lost manhood. The tragedy for young black males is that they are so easily dunned by a vision of manhood that can only lead to their destruction.
Feminist critiques of the sexism and misogyny in gangsta rap, and in all aspects of popular culture, must continue to be bold and fierce. Black females must not be duped into supporting shit that hurts us under the guise of standing beside our men. If black men are betraying us through acts of male violence, we save ourselves and the race by resisting. Yet, our feminist critiques of black male sexism fail as meaningful political intervention if they seek to demonize black males, and do not recognize that our revolutionary work is to transform supremacist capitalist patriarchy in the multiple areas of our lives where it is made manifest, whether in gangsta rap, the black church, or the Clinton administration.
Without a doubt black males, young and old, must be held politically accountable for their sexism. Yet this critique must always be contextualized or we risk making it appear that the behaviors this thinking supports and condones,--rape, male violence against women, etc. -- is a black male thing. And this is what is happening. Young black males are forced to take the "heat" for encouraging, via their music, the hatred of and violence against women that is a central core of patriarchy.
I agree that commercial rap is misogynistic and violent, and promotes a negative stereotype. Turn on your TV or look at the Internet you will see what I mean. I believe this well never stop there is always going to be a woman that wants attention, and there is always going to be a man disrespecting a woman and on TV talking about money, drugs, guns or killing someone. Please visit this website http://music.aol.com/video/cocktales/too-sort/1481518 for an example.
Loren Diesi
1. The subject of my paper is hip-hop and mainstream rap and their themes of masculinity and degrading women.
2. I wanted to write about this subject because I know a lot of people listen to music with these themes, and yet, they don't care if rappers are constantly degrading women. It reminded me of a comedian who said that when women listen to these types of songs, all they do is say "HE ain't talking about ME". Therfore women don't believe that rappers are directing their negativeness towards them.
3. My audience is just the people in this class.
4. The question I wanted my research paper to answer is why rappers degrade women, and why do we listen to it.
5. I think I used the compare and contrast strategy the most.
In 250 words minimum, discuss the evidence Hurt presents in the film and whether or not you agree with his premise that commercial rap is misogynistic, violent, and promotes a negative stereotype of manhood.
If you turn on the radio you might hear Lupe Fiasco singing “Superstar” with lyrics about struggling to become a popular music artist, or you might just hear Ludacris singing “Money Maker”, telling women to “shake their money makers”. (Money Maker) Not all songs are degrading women, and proving rappers masculinity, but why are they made and why do we decide to listen to them?
The making of rap music today is controversial. Some people say that the music industry is forcing these starving artists to create this type of music, and that it’s the only way it will be played. Others believe that no one will want to listen to a rapper about the presidential election, talk about their past, or what’s really going on in the world today. Some people might even listen to degrading commercial rap because it has a good beat, or say that rappers aren’t reffereing to them as their “bitch” or “hoe”. Whatever the case, there is still meaningful music out there in the music industry from people like Lupe Fiasco and Atmosphere, which gives people a choice of what they would like to hear.
There’s a difference between hip-hop and commercial rap, and that line is crossed when the subject of the song becomes something negative like degrading women, homophobia, or talking about killing people. When we look back at the history of our society, more times than not men have been the dominant figures. Women usually did all of the house work, while men went out to earn money for the family. The first woman allowed to vote wasn’t until 1893, in the state of Colorado. (Women’s Rights)
I definitely agree with the idea that commercial rap and hip-hop promotes a negative stereotype of manhood. I also believe that degrading women and masculinity go hand in hand. Through lyrics and videos, everyone can hear and see how the rappers creating this music, show how a man should act and be. They feel as though the general public wouldn’t want to listen about how someone could have changed their way of life and become a doctor or a police man, and instead they start to rap about shooting and raping people. (Hip-Hop) They feel as though they should be seen as real men. They probably do feel insecure about themseleves because they have so many women in their videos, when they can't hold on to one. They feel the need to have as many as possible to show people that this is what their life is really like, with multiple women and loads of money, and that they obviously no longer live on the street.
Some rappers definitely do believe that the general public doesn’t want to listen to other topics besides the hood, gangs, shootouts, and degrading women. In Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes, the creator of the film Bryon Hurt, states that “media and corporations define hip-hop.” (A Lover of Rap) So is it actually the media that believes listeners will want to hear these types of songs? There are also a lot of hip-hop artists today that are making great music that people love, and steer away from all of the mainstream themes. Some people seem to believe that they need to sing about these types of things so that their music will get played on the radio, but this isn't the case at all. Take Lupe Fisaco for example, and his song "Superstar". It’s the complete opposite from the normal macho music that we hear on the radio. There are hip-hop rappers out there making music that’s meaningful to them, showing the public who they really are, even though they might not be making the most money.
In the end, the theme of mainstream music goes back to the artists, and the companies producing them. If rappers are so keen about representing themselves, being true to music and the life they live, then they shouldn’t succum to what the media wants.
Works Cited
“Women’s Rights Movement” InfoPlease 29 September 2008
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/womenstimeline1.html
“Money Maker” Ludacris AZlyrics 29 September 2008
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/ludacris/moneymaker.html
Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes 23 September 2008
Bryon Hurt; film
“A Lover of Rap” The Brown Daily Harold 28 September 2008
http://media.www.browndailyherald.com/media/storage/paper472/news/2008/03/07/CampusNews/A.Lover.Of.Rap.Scrutinizes.the.Masculinity.Of.HipHop-3258711.shtml
Masculinity and Hip Hop
Hip Hop has been around for many years. Hip Hop is a culture, a way of expressing yourself like making beats, making music, freestyle rapping, graffiti and break dancing. This originated in the lower income neighborhoods, stemming from Brooklyn, New York. Around the 1960’s, this culture was born. Hip Hop has spread throughout America. I believe Hip Hop artists express themselves through their lyrics, they tell the stories of their lives or what is happening around them. For several years now, men have been showing their masculinity through their words and lyrics, whether is be demeaning women, showing off guns or talking about money, cars and women to show their “alpha male” status.
In the jungle, the lion is the so called King. The lion possesses an intimidating roar that can scare any animal of their feet. If we talk about the real world, men would be the equivalent to the lion. They show their status or superiority with their jewelry or clothes, big muscles or even with guns. In almost every rap video there is truck loads of jewelry, this is to show the status of men. Having lots of jewelry proves that they make a lot of money and therefore they are higher on the food chain compared to everyone else. Men also like to pose or perform shirtless. They show of their big muscles that are usually oiled down to show their strength. Big muscles are another way to show off or flex to prove their true masculinity. I think the biggest way for a man to show or prove his masculine side is to show off his gun. Michael Dyson, author of Know What I Mean says, “In the history of the American social imagination the violent male, using the gun to defend his kith and kin, becomes a symbol of virtuous and redemptive manhood…the use of the gun as the paraphernalia of American masculinity, as the symbol of real manhood” (page 94). Men have to protect their families and a way to do that is to use a gun. Amendment two of the Bill of Rights even grants us the rights to fire arms. The United States Constitution fuels masculinity.
I describe the American Dream as having a family, a house and a good paying job to support them. I come from a family of second generation of immigrants. When I was growing up, all I heard about was owning a home to shelter your family and having a great job to help. A job is the most important because without money, you cannot do anything in the world. Going to school to pursue a degree to get a good job was grinded into my head daily. A song that reminds me of my childhood and what I need to become is The Message by Grandmaster Flash. There’s a particular piece that I like because it describes me and that’s when Flash says, “I’d dance to the beat, shuffle my feet/Wear a shirt and tie and run with the creeps/Cause it’s all about money, ain’t a damn thing funny/You got to have a con in this land of milk and honey.” There are lots of opportunities in the world. Money runs the world, whether you like your job or not. A man has to support him and his family and if he has to run with the “creeps” with their white collars and ties to show his status and masculinity, then so be it.
I think the biggest way for a man to show his masculinity is to demean or degrade women. A song that shows degradation of women to the fullest is, Rent Money by Artist Young Trimm. Trimm says, “She on the pole and her eyes are finding me, now she in my lap, shorty is grinding me, and if not for me do it for the rent money, go ahead shorty shake it for the rent money,” Strip Clubs are populated by men. Men whom have lots of money or just want to have fun are infested in these clubs. Men show and flash their money so women can dance and take off their tops and there is nothing more masculine than that.
Hip Hop artists use the word “Bitch” a lot in their songs. This word is now even being said on the television and radio, even though it puts down women to the fullest. In the Message by Felicia Pride, she remembers how she could not rhyme nor flow but if she wore a two piece from Victorias Secret, she can get a record either singing or dancing (page xxi). Nowadays it’s whatever you say and wear that can get you a record deal, you don’t even have to make sense but if you say what’s popular, have a good beat and have women dancing then you have a deal.
Hip Hop has declined in the past couple of years. Everything is controlled by the media. Whatever is on the television, billboards, magazines and newspapers and etc. is what is popular. Hip Hop artists are owned by the people who control the media, they are puppets to their success. Hip Hop artists tell a story through their lyrics and whether is true of false if masculinity is a utilitarian tool to getting rich, then it will never stop.
Works Sited
1. Dyson, Michael, Jay-Z, Nas. Know What I Mean?. New York: Basic Civitas, 2007.
2. Pride, Felicia. The Message.
3. Flash, Grandmaster. The Message. http://www.lyricsfreak.com/g/grandmaster+flash/the+message_20062225.html
4. Trimm, Young. Rent Money. http://www.elyricsworld.com/rent_money_feat._the_dream_lyrics_young_trimm.html
Benjamin Herrera
Professor Sabir
English 1B: (Tues/Thurs)
Initial Planning Sheet:
1. The subject of my paper is about the violence and the bad representation of hyper masculinity in hip-hop music.
2. I want to write about this subject because I for one want to get a greater understanding of this subject. Also I really had never taught about how the many images that hip-hop represents affected a lot of people in the world.
3. The audience that I will be writing to is first of all my English 1B professor and as well as all my classmates that are interested in the subject of my research paper.
4. The question that I want my research paper to answer is why we need to change the images that commercial hip-hop uses for the better and why we need stop all the bad ones from being exploited by the media? Why is it that the media only puts forth the negative images of hip-hop and nothing else?
5. The main writing strategy that I think I will be using for my paper is the process or casual analysis of the main point of my essay and also a little bit of description so my audience can understand the subject of my paper.
Outline:
Thesis: Commercial hip-hop receives a lot of criticism for encouraging violence and portraying a bad stereotype of masculinity. Hip-hop culture as a whole should not take all the blame for the negativity surrounding its music this goes back to the American society encouraging it, the media mainstream for only playing songs and music videos that contain these bad images, and finally the corporate people in the suits that only think about what sells.
Major Point 1: Throughout American society people have supported violent behavior and masculinity in many cases.
Evidence: The book “Know what I mean?” by Michael Eric Dyson contains a good quote talking about how our society embraces violence and masculinity with sports and military and much more.
Major Point 2: Media mainstream is the one that channels these negative images of hip-hop throughout radio, television, and internet without considering the affect it is having in many lives.
Evidence: Many songs that I personally have heard and still hear in the radio, television that supports violent actions and contains hyper masculinity.
Major Point 3: The corporate people in suits only care about what sells basically it’s all about the money for them and they don’t care if what they put out is violent or represents a bad form of manhood.
Evidence: The many answers that hip-hop artists gave to Byron Hurt the director of “Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes” where they talk about the people at the top of music labels having all the control and only wanting to make a lot of money at any cause.
Conclusion: Restate my thesis from the intro paragraph.
Essay:
Violence and Masculinity in Hip-Hop
Hip-hop culture originated around the 1970s in the many club scenes in Bronx, New York. To this day hip-hop is still very much alive being the multi-billion dollar business that it is. Even though hip-hop is very popular there are many that believe commercial hip-hop represents pure negativity. One of the many issues that people have with this music is that it embraces violence as well as provides its audience with a bad representation of manhood. Commercialized hip-hop is just plain wrong for just only portraying violence and hyper masculinity throughout their music videos and songs in reality there should be more positive images so that it’s younger audience will not just have one option. Hip-hop culture as a whole does not deserve all the blame for all the violence and hyper masculinity that artists in this industry use in their lyrics and music videos, but the blame should fall on the history/present of the American society that encourages it, the mainstream media that controls what gets played on the airwaves, and finally the suit wearing corporate people that only care about what sells.
In many of the rap and hip-hop music videos you see today the only thing you hear and see are artists showing off how hard they are by talking about the many people they murdered or got in a fight with. I think that this bad image that hip-hop gives off to its audience is very well connected to the heart of how the American society develop and is to this day. In the book “Know What I Mean?” By Michael Eric Dyson known to many as a hip-hop scholar he is interviewed in one of the chapters by Byron Hurt the director of the documentary “Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes” they discuss the many stereotypes that this music has including the concept of hip-hop being all about violent masculinity. This is what Dyson had to say on this issue in hip-hop in one of his many responses, “Violent masculinity is also tied up with the ability to defend American property from “illegitimate” stakeholders above all Native Americans, although they were here first and we ripped off their land through a process of genocide that is utterly underappreciated to this day. Violent masculinity is central to notions of American democracy and cultural self-expression. In fact national self-expression and violent masculinity are virtually concomitant: they came about at the same time, and they often mean the same thing. In the history of the American social imagination the violent male using the gun to defend his kith and kin, becomes a symbol of virtuous and redemptive manhood. Some young hip hop artists zero in on the use of the gun as the paraphernalia of American masculinity, as the symbol of real manhood. Hip hop’s hypermasculine pose reflects a broader American trait.” (93-94). Dyson is basically saying that violence and the stereotype of manhood is not only in hip-hop it relates to the culture of this country with one example being U.S. taking this land by force from the Native Americans in earlier times or what the gun to this country and many others symbolizes a way to protect the people you care about, and this is how American culture was and still is to this day. Violence and hyper masculinity even exist in American sports like Football where hitting people is cheered and defeating your enemy like if it was war is the goal, and only men are allowed to play not women. The military is another perfect example where you are praised for how many people you killed in battle. Violence is even in the classrooms of school where you are cheered by your teachers if you are the best student in school while your classmates are left resenting you because you had to go over them to get to the top. I believe that before people say that they don’t like hip-hop because of what it represents people have to take a hard look at American culture because it portrays the exact same thing violent masculinity.
The media plays a very important role in what people get to hear and see from their radios to their television and computer screens. Violent masculinity is not just seen throughout hip-hop it’s also seen in movie billboards and sides of busses where movies are trying to get attention with images of guns and explosions. If it wasn’t for the media hip-hop would not even be on the map because that’s how much power the mainstream media has. Even though this is true media should do a better job incorporating positive hip-hop and not only violent masculinity. The very popular rapper/hip-hop artist Curtis Jackson (aka 50 Cent) is seen all throughout the media with his shirt off showing off his body because he is suppose to be what a real man should look like, but honestly is just what the media that wants people to think. Real men are firefighters and doctors who saved peoples lives on a daily basis not 50 cent even if he is all over magazine covers and television screens. 50 cent in a rap called “Till I Collapse”, says in one of the raps line, “I'm like an animal with it when I spit it, it's crazy
Got semi-autos and put holes in niggas tryna play me” (lines 9-10 second verse). This line basically describes the whole song because it is all about how he is going to shoot people that cross him and stand tall like real men without falling to the ground. This song represents this artist as a violent and hyper masculine person and that is only one side of him and the media doesn’t put out the other side because is not very popular among the audience, and this is why mainstream media has a lot to say and should be accounted for some blame when it comes to violent masculinity in hip-hop.
Overall the people that I think are most to blame are the head corporate companies that pay the hip-hop artist and have the overall say in what they want to market or don’t want to pursue. Is like an inspiring rapper in the movie “Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes” said in an interview with the director of the movie Byron Hurt. The undiscovered and unknown rapper basically told Byron Hurt that hip-hop labels only want to sign artists that rap about violence and masculinity because that is what sells and makes money for them, and he continued by giving an example of a rap that talked about inspirational stuff but he that would never get a record deal with that type of music because it doesn’t make money. I believe that if the corporate people in charged of the many music labels wanted they could change how people view hip-hop and transform it to become more positive. The hip-hop executives that have all the power should not be just be thinking of making money because the music that they put out really affects the youth in America. If many music videos on television stop encouraging violence and masculinity this country would change for the better and maybe even have fewer murders and less crime.
Today’s hip-hop is depicts a lot of violent masculinity, and even though it is very popular people need to consider that this country’s youth is influenced by what their favorite hip-hop artists are doing in their music videos many kids see them as heroes. Hip-hop as a whole should not be fully responsible for how the people in this country have become accustomed too, media should have a better sense of judgment for what they put out, and corporate executives should learn that is not always about looking out for ones own benefit they should consider how they have a lot of power that can better this country’s communities with just adding some positive hip-hop music to the mix. Hip-hop is not dead as many people that hear this music say there is always hope that the type of music that is very popular can change and become less violent and hyper masculine.
Works Cited:
1. “Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes” September 29, 2008
Bryon Hurt; film
2. Dyson, Michael Eric. "Cover your eyes as I describe a scene so violent." Know What I Mean? New York: Basic Civitas, 2007.
3. http://www.lyrics007.com. Viewed September 29, 2008
John Rawson
Wanda Sabir
English 1B
September 25, 2008
Hip Hop in America
In the world of hip hop, the “Man” has contributed much to the destruction of the people who listen and participate in the culture. Immersion in the society, whether by choice or by influence; now a days no one follows in the footsteps of the hip hop greats with great beats and fantastic rhymes and deep messages in their music; instead people would rather rap about hurting people through violence, sexist remarks, homophobic stereotypes, and having a macho mentality. This message is delivered through violent and degrading lyrics by rappers who in fact don’t even know about being real responsible men, or about real rhyming. These attitudes are enforced through various facets of society, including politics, military, religion and consumerism.
Examining a culprit in society is the fundamental stereotype of the need and entitlement to a firearm. From the white man’s National Rifle Assocation’s (NRA) dependence on the 2nd Amendment right to the black and brown’s man standard of being more respectable if he has a more extensive collection of illegal weapons, the gun has taken on the traits of a human being. It takes on blame, guilt, possession and ultimately, value. According to Dyson, “There’s a preoccupation with the gun because the gun is a central part of the iconography of the ghetto.” (Dyson 91) Violent masculinity has become the standard.
These ideals of manhood are also expressed in the military segment of society by encouraging the admirable desire to protect one’s country by imposing our perceived values onto other countries by force and violence. Furthermore Dyson states, “On the domestic front we are quickly learning that domination of a woman is the only way to be an authentic man.” (Dyson 98)
That leads into the thought that there may be a possibility of a solution to the problem which Micheal Eric Dyson writes of, “Our perverted and distorted conception of strength and masculinity has lead to some devastating results and has limited the political options we’re able to pursue” (Dyson 97), which compels us to not accept the possibility of males to be aware of one’s self and his positive role in society so the encouragement falls short. Additionally, homophobia is an accepted part of sustaining the grand male mindset. The homosexual community even threatens the definition of strength because as Dyson clearly states; “Their presence throws things off,” (Dyson 119). Dyson identifies homophobia as an undiscussed subject in the world of hip-hop. As Dyson defends, religion in hp-hop can be viewed from the perspective of, “If hip-hop had a theology, it’s pretty consistent with the biblical justification of male misbehavior by blaming the seducing female.” (Dyson 110), circling back to the domination issue.
Rawson 3
When men do not necessarily play into the negative misconceptions of the hip hop culture, they will “Learn as black (and brown) men – whether in hip hop or business, academics or acting – that sexism and misogyny are our issues and do affect us as black (and brown) men…They will be far ahead of men in other quarters of the culture who may appear to be more enlightened,” (Dyson 122)
Works Cited
Dyson, Michael Eric. Know What I Mean? : Reflections on Hip-Hop. New York: Basic Citvas Books, 2007.
Eder Aragon
English 1b
September 25, 2008
Misogyny and Hip Hop
It saddens me to see how in our mainstream society starting at a young age start to lose the idea of respect for themselves. Although women by the laws of the constitution has gain the right of equality now days we are facing tremendous hatred against women, creating an ideology that women is there only to sexually satisfy men’s need, and also use trashy meaningful words to refer to a woman. Hip Hop has definitely contributed to picture this misogyny, but we cannot just put the blame on hip hop music when in fact it is only a more deeply continuation of the idea perpetuated in our mainstream society.
In the film Beyond Beats and Rhymes Bryon Hurt talks about misogyny especially how women of color were treated in music videos. In the film Hurt says “Some people say that it’s just boys being boys, but I think it has a lot to do with boys figuring out early that girls are there for us to sexually objectify or to be our sexual playthings.” I personally believe that this is the reality of the situation now days anyone can see naked women all over, girls dancing on top of other boys in music videos, beauty contests, all kind of events that creates that image that women are no longer a valuable, lovely precious creature but rather just an object that men can manipulate to their needs.
One of the things that really call my attention in hip hop music is that rappers most of the time refer to women as bitches or hoes. In the essay Cover your eyes as I describe a scene so violent, Dyson answers the question about a good sister and a ho. Dyson says that most rappers look for a good sister, that women that respects herself, doesn’t give up sex easily stay away from bad boys, etc. but rappers spent most of the time with hoes because they satisfy their needs. One more thing is also the fact that rappers use words that usually are used for women to deeply offend men, like “bitch ass” for example.
But what I find more interesting in all this is that a lot of women actually like it, otherwise they wouldn’t be there. I doubt that anybody puts a gun in their head to make them take off their clothes in front of a camera. One of the most famous Hip Hop artist and that I personally like is Lil Wayne. I’m a teenager and I like cool music and Lil Wayne has a good style, but sometimes his songs go beyond the limits. I like it better when he refers to a girl as “Shawty” than “Bitches”. In his new song A Millie for example there is a part that says “Don't you hate a shy bitch? yeah, I ate a shy bitch.She ain't shy no more, she changed her name to "my bitch" Hahaha, yeah nigga that's my bitch.” Even with this kind of lyrics he is a ladies man, they love him, and he knows it so he has no problem with continuing using this kind of language to refer to women.
And this is the point where I get kind of mad and rather than blame on hip hop artist I would rather focus on women themselves. My mom used to say “guilty is not the one stepping on your shoes, but rather the one that let it happen”. And that is my point in this matter, if women don’t do anything about it then nobody else will. To picture a better idea how deep this has gone, I have two teenage female cousins and every time they refer to their best friends they refer to them as “their bitches”. This is the point where the issue becomes uncontrollable, when the victim actually becomes part of the problem, therefore the problem becomes a “No Problem” and if women themselves see misogyny as normal then the rest of us can’t do much about it, but trying to stay away from the problem, and even though a lot of us know how bad this issue can be there is little or nothing we can do about it.
Eder Aragon
English 1b
September 25, 2008
Misogyny and Hip Hop
It saddens me to see how in our mainstream society starting at a young age start to lose the idea of respect for themselves. Although women by the laws of the constitution has gain the right of equality now days we are facing tremendous hatred against women, creating an ideology that women is there only to sexually satisfy men’s need, and also use trashy meaningful words to refer to a woman. Hip Hop has definitely contributed to picture this misogyny, but we cannot just put the blame on hip hop music when in fact it is only a more deeply continuation of the idea perpetuated in our mainstream society.
In the film Beyond Beats and Rhymes Bryon Hurt talks about misogyny especially how women of color were treated in music videos. In the film Hurt says “Some people say that it’s just boys being boys, but I think it has a lot to do with boys figuring out early that girls are there for us to sexually objectify or to be our sexual playthings.” I personally believe that this is the reality of the situation now days anyone can see naked women all over, girls dancing on top of other boys in music videos, beauty contests, all kind of events that creates that image that women are no longer a valuable, lovely precious creature but rather just an object that men can manipulate to their needs.
One of the things that really call my attention in hip hop music is that rappers most of the time refer to women as bitches or hoes. In the essay Cover your eyes as I describe a scene so violent, Dyson answers the question about a good sister and a ho. Dyson says that most rappers look for a good sister, that women that respects herself, doesn’t give up sex easily stay away from bad boys, etc. but rappers spent most of the time with hoes because they satisfy their needs. One more thing is also the fact that rappers use words that usually are used for women to deeply offend men, like “bitch ass” for example.
But what I find more interesting in all this is that a lot of women actually like it, otherwise they wouldn’t be there. I doubt that anybody puts a gun in their head to make them take off their clothes in front of a camera. One of the most famous Hip Hop artist and that I personally like is Lil Wayne. I’m a teenager and I like cool music and Lil Wayne has a good style, but sometimes his songs go beyond the limits. I like it better when he refers to a girl as “Shawty” than “Bitches”. In his new song A Millie for example there is a part that says “Don't you hate a shy bitch? yeah, I ate a shy bitch.She ain't shy no more, she changed her name to "my bitch" Hahaha, yeah nigga that's my bitch.” Even with this kind of lyrics he is a ladies man, they love him, and he knows it so he has no problem with continuing using this kind of language to refer to women.
And this is the point where I get kind of mad and rather than blame on hip hop artist I would rather focus on women themselves. My mom used to say “guilty is not the one stepping on your shoes, but rather the one that let it happen”. And that is my point in this matter, if women don’t do anything about it then nobody else will. To picture a better idea how deep this has gone, I have two teenage female cousins and every time they refer to their best friends they refer to them as “their bitches”. This is the point where the issue becomes uncontrollable, when the victim actually becomes part of the problem, therefore the problem becomes a “No Problem” and if women themselves see misogyny as normal then the rest of us can’t do much about it, but trying to stay away from the problem, and even though a lot of us know how bad this issue can be there is little or nothing we can do about it.
Works Cited
Works Cited:
1. “Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes” September 25, 2008
Bryon Hurt; film
2. Dyson, Michael Eric. "Cover your eyes as I describe a scene so violent." Know What I Mean? New York: Basic Civitas, 2007.
3. -Lil Wayne - A millie- Verse 2
http://www.lyricsdomain.com/12/lil_wayne/a_millie_20.html
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