By: Sarah Selzer
When armchair theorizing political activism, pop-culture has been noted as the driving force of political change. However, this notion truly comes to life when we look at the history of how hip-hop could be considered the voice of our generation, specifically containing the critical area for the emergence of hip-hop feminism. Concerning political movements that stemming from the base of hip-hop music influence, female artists not only used their platform as a form of sexual and artistic expression but to highlight problems within Grassroots- Black Community politics (Collins, 2014).
Primarily Black and Latino youth were denied access to basic education, decent housing, recreational activities, and music lessons stemming from the early to mid-1900’s (Collins, 2014). Instead of feeling defeated, young-female black youths took the time to create new art forms of music that challenged the stereotypes of being born into poverty which ultimately gave them opportunities to create platforms that got them recognized. This recognition came from challenging their own stereotype (Collins, 2014). Getting the media's attention then became their real classroom. Persistence centering around the unfair treatment of Latino and Black youth created a global movement carving out a public space where “trendiness” of hip-hop culture could be changed into a form of how to reclaim their womanhood within a misogynistic rap culture.
For example, the work of activist Morgan, Chambers, Jones, and Kimberly helped categorize themes within black hip-hop feminism that helped the public gain a clearer perspective on why and what these women were rapping about (Collins, 2014). The categories are Black women’s relationships to their personal and political histories, relationship to self, and their relationships with black men (Collins, 2014). Another black hip-hop feminist Gwendolyn D. Pough took her music to the next level and wrote the book Check It While I Wreck It: Black Womanhood, Hip-Hop Culture, and the Public Sphere further dissecting what it means to be a woman within hip-hop, teaching and encouraging woman how to break away from misogynistic stereotypes (Collins, 2014). In modern times Artists such as Queen Latifah, Lauryn Hill, and Alicia Keys gain inspiration from the hip-hop feminism movement in today’s music by incorporating values of self respect, importance to family, and free sexual expression to shy away from how black men have portrayed feminine ideals in the past (Collins, 2014).
Both works from past and present hip hop feminists gained popular traction from not only the Black and Latina community, but other races of woman started to pay attention to the political messages behind the ideology of their songs too. So in turn, the bigger the wave of hip-hop feminism became, the movement made strides for woman all over America to start and take notice a need to reclaim back their identity within not only hip-hop but other genres as well (Collins, 2014). Music isn’t just a concept that belongs to one person, music belongs to everyone and anyone that are willing to listen to the messages behind its lyrics. This allows its popularity to become a political catalyst in response to woman protesting their gender stereotypes and treatment within politics as well. Music gave women the space they needed as a forum of public discourse that could be challenged in order to create a growth of cultural change, that they hoped would lead to fairer treatment of woman from an ideological standpoint. Ultimately, the national emergence of hip-hop feminism has sparked the transformation of feminist ideology that is still constantly emerging today thanks to the Grassroots womanhood political activism that reminds us that “personal is political” (Collins, 2014).
Word Count: 573
Word Count: 573
Reference:
1) Collins, P. (2014). From Black Power to Hip Hop. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Temple University Press.
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteGlad you took up the practice of hip hop feminism. This topic clearly fits well with your larger theme week on women in popular music. What's more, you've located a terrific source to inform your work.
That said, formatting problems and improper use of APA referencing undermine your efforts.
More critically, this reads more like a synopsis of Collins's work than an application of these insights to examine more closely an instance of hip hop feminism.
In other words, Sarah, this is a good start. But I want you to move beyond a simple summary of academic literature. Rather, deploy this literature to inform a concise analysis of a discrete instance of a cultural object, practice, or institution.
Here then, you might apply some of Collins' work to a discrete music track or video. See the difference?
Finally, here are a few minor points that I'd ask you to consider.
1. Is popular culture really "the" driving force of political change? As Kidd argues, it is a force (among others) to be reckoned with.
2. Proof read your work more closely. For instance, it should be "movement that stems from" not "stemming" as you have it here.
3. You suggest that women of color were recognized for challenging "their own stereotype." I get it. But this could be stated with greater clarity.
In sum, Sarah, this is a fine start. In future, be more attentive to our house style, get a better handle on APA referencing and, most critically, develop the skills to apply critical insights, rather than simply restate them.
26/30 pts.
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI want to start by saying that this is a very informational post. I think you cover your topic extremely well for it only being a blog post. Like professor said, the formatting and house style needs a little work, but those are only some minor issues. Rather than describing all of this information, I recommend that you write it from a more personal point of view because it is a blog. I would write it more from your opinion and mindset as if you are explaining the topic. Overall, you have a very nice blog especially for it being the first one. I think that if you can fix a few of the minor errors that are going on, your next post will be even better and you will have a fantastic blog!
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed how your blog post looked at hip hop music as a form of activism and how this activism transcends into Black feminism. Music in general has always been such a powerful tool for activism because it keeps the activists motivated through inspirational messages and further emphasizes an activists goals lyrically. During the civil rights movement music was often used as a way to both brighten the spirits of activists and document what exactly they were fighting for.
Hip Hop is such a unique form of music and even a form of activism itself. When Hip Hop music really came on to the music scene it was regarded as a genre that was inappropriate, violent, and something that only Black people listened to. Ironically Hip Hop artists were trying to make songs fighting against police brutality, stereotypes, and other issues facing minorities while being given such a bad rap.
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteFirst off, this a very good post that covers a topic that is important as it is interesting. Women in the entertainment industry, specifically music, are constantly having to fight the misogyny as well as the idea that women can only succeed in the industry they are objectifying themselves. I appreciate the attention you bring to these women who are fighting the system and speaking out on such important political issues, one example being the focus on what it means to be a Black Woman in this country.
As Cailey states, Hip Hop is such a unique form of music as well as it is a tool for activism. This genre is often looked down upon and not taken as seriously as it should be, especially by older generations. However, if dissected, a lot can be learned from Hip Hop, and I applaud you for bringing light to this fact.