By: Lexie Hampton, W*SS Intern
Since the dawn of time, men have been trying to control women’s bodies. They have been the gatekeepers in deciding when and where sexuality can be expressed and who is allowed to express it. Society has cultivated a fantasy vision of women in which they should be reserved, complacent in their roles, and modest. However, in hip hop/rap culture, men like to depict women as the opposite of that. Men in hip hop/rap sexualize and profit off of women’s bodies with little to no judgement from others. In fact, they are often celebrated and awarded nominations for their lyrical mastery.
However, when women artists decide to own their own power, and their bodies, society screams harlot.
Just recently, hip-hop artists, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, collaborated and released the hit song WAP. Following the release of this track, many people (Ben Shapiro, James P. Bradley, Ceelo Green, Candance Owen, etc.) have taken to public platforms to give their opinions on its controversial nature. Prominent political figures have chastised the women for being immoral, bad role models, and have labeled the song downright distasteful. Other individuals have claimed that their actions reflect poorly on the Black community and even some women have argued that writing songs about women’s body parts is not progressive or empowering, it only serves to set women back. However, in my opinion, this could not be further from the truth. These two women have decided to take a stand against the internalized misogyny that plagues this nation and are trailblazers for young women everywhere who have been forced to make themselves smaller for the convenience and comfort of society.
This message also rings true for us at Women*s Student Services as we also aim to empower all bodies and embrace the idea that sexuality is not taboo, but the very essence of who we are. Freedom of expression is not limited to–or controlled by–cisgender men, but is an innate part of human nature that should be celebrated by and inclusive of everyone.
For more information on misogyny in hip hop/rap culture, check out these links!
Interested in sharing your own "Thought Of The Day" or TOTD? Email us at wss@msu.edu.
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