Misogynistic Behavior in Hip-Hop
However, misogynistic ideals have progressively shifted over time in such a way that feminism has interconnected within hip-hop. The social development of feminism that spread across the nation in the 1990s still echoes throughout the genre today. Society has demonstrated a certain level of acceptance as well as push back regarding misogynistic behavior as it is seen and heard through various outlets such as television, radio, ads, etc. This paper will cover the congruencies of feminism and hip-hop and its societal impact.
Hip-hop served as a voice for the people. It is a movement that gives power to individuals to express their hearts, their minds, injustices, and desire for change. Hip-hop presented something different to the world, for people to feel liberated enough to go beyond the limitations of society. Feminism began as a movement for women to challenge society’s ideals and perspectives of gender inequality. Both feminism and hip hop came about as a means to generate power in their respective communities.
Different types of hip hop opened doors for popular female artists to speak out against the ideas of misogyny in somewhat of an unconventional manner. Therefore, presenting feminism to women worldwide. For years, women across the nation, even more so, minority women, have been forced to silence themselves on existing issues that they were impacted by. It is commonly known that male artists either paint women as objects in their music or bring on negative connotations about them. Listeners have accepted this pattern as normalcy. Popular works by artists such as the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill epitomize the fact that hip-hop gave women a voice that they never knew they had. Many have greatly recognized this particular album as it has acted as a declaration of independence that woman still appreciate to this day.
Articles about Women in Hip-Hop
According to article entitled, “Oppositional Consciousness within an Oppositional Realm: The Case of Feminism and Womanism in Rap and hip-hop”, the authors collectively agree that women, as a whole, have been an integral part regarding the evolution of hip-hop culture. Sharon Jackson was one of the first women to set the stage for the female hip hop artists to emerge and use the art to speak out against the societal norms that for so long kept women marginalized. The article also mentions that hip-hop encourages the pursuit of material wealth, but these same ideals are also used to attack and destabilize black unanimity. This is unless of course a conduit for a group of people is created for them to benefit from the wealth. The journal also makes reference to womanism and feminism in hip-hop and some of the major discursive themes used throughout. Some of the ideas mentioned here are women talking back to men in defense of women, women’s empowerment, and defense of black men against the larger society.
Another journal article that discusses in detail the congruences of hip-hop and feminism is “The Stage Hip Hop Feminism Built” by Aisha Durham, Brittney C. Cooper and Susana M. Morris. This article discusses that hip-hop feminism is a generationally specific expression of feminist realization. The journal also speaks of how women have used hip-hop to reclaim as well as challenge some of the heteronormative institutions. It gives people a way to be somewhat validated in what they feel as far as sexual orientation goes. Considering that women are more nurturing individuals, their comforting presence allowed people to accept their orientation as a norm when so much of the outside world tried and continues to try to convince them otherwise. Platforms such as social media and other online stratospheres allowed the spread of what the subconscious ideas of women in hip hop. With this, it is to be noted that hip-hop feminism and its growing digital presence proves as evidence that the movement itself is becoming more relevant as well as strengthening in order to continue promoting conversations concerning the issues that are critical to the betterment of the populations of minorities, especially people of color.
Conclusion: Feminism and Hip-Hop
In conclusion, we see patterns of growth through feminism in hip-hop. As discussed previously, not only does feminism in hip-hop try to promote women’s rights, it is a medium that is utilized to create a safe haven for people of color, as well as groups of people who are popularly marginalized.
