Misogyny, Racism and Pop Culture part 2

A recent hip-hop single blowing up all over the charts called “Independent” by southern rapper Webbie has caught my interest. As an avid listener to popular, mainstream hip-hop I am often confronted with tired and overused go-to terminology when describing drugs, women, guns or cars. The popular terminology to describe these themes that are regularly covered in most mainstream hip-hop singles seem to change by the month. However, many still remain.

One instance of terminology that has not evolved much in the last 20 years of hip hop is the terms used to describe women. Or rather not just all women, but a described lower-type of particular woman who is usually attributed to being untrustworthy, unfaithful and dishonest. We all know the terms and I don’t need to mention them. The terms are definitely derogatory, sexist and over-used. It is also these terms that mainstream hip-hop is most often criticized about. In the early 90’s it was violence, now it is the inherent sexism and objectification of woman that seems to be the focus of those critical of hip-hop.

Mind you, one will usually find me in defense of this terminology to a certain extent. I don’t support the misogyny but from a standpoint of art and self-expression I think it should be tolerated. In addition it is important to take into consideration the various iconography and terminology that hip-hop and black American urban youth culture is rooted in.

Finally, to single out hip-hop is ultimately unfair. Sexism and misogyny permeates throughout all aspects of pop culture. And if we are going to talk about such issues we need to take into consideration not just hip-hop culture but the greater context in which it exists in: pop culture. As I have previously quoted, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson points out that objectifying women is not solely rooted in just hip-hop:

"it ain’t hip-hop that’s teaching the broader culture how to dog a woman; it’s the broader culture’s ways and rules that are keyed in by hop-hop lyricists.”

Whether Dyson is correct is debatable. I think there is more of a fluidity to the relationship and that both sides perpetuate the problem at hand. Nevertheless, hip-hop cannot be completely singled out.

That being said, misogyny and sexism is still probably hip-hop’s biggest problem to a certain extent. The issue is complex and it is representing something about not only American black culture, but American society in itself as well. Unfortunately, these complexities are rarely examined or talked about in depth by either the artist performing the song or the overly, feminist close-minded liberal (or super conservative) who is criticizing the lyrics. (see my blog post Its Bigger Than Hip-Hop for more)

Enter Webbie’s “Independent”. In my last blog I mentioned that pop culture seemed to often act as an arena where taboos and issues such as race and sexism could move beyond the borders which are often towed in most social settings. Webbie’s “Independent” does just that. Here is song that is in support of a woman who is independent, motivated and who doesn’t rely on a man. She rejects traditional ideas of a woman’ role. And from the standpoint of Webbie that is the most attractive woman that a man can find. He encourages the listener to find a girl like that. However, the complexity doesn’t really stop there.

Where things get interesting is when Webbie and the other rappers allude to the fact that all she needs a man for is a “good drill”. Here we see the independent female taking on almost the role of the male “pimp” or “ player”. The attitude often permeating hip-hop that a “true” male only utilizes a female for sex and maybe a good back rub is now taken on by the female character described in Webbie’s song. It’s almost an attitude of “hey she is like us…and that is hot!!”

However, to counterpoint, none of the rappers in the song utilize the tired, old, go-to terms that are used to describe a woman in hip-hop songs. To his credit, this is impressive. Webbie has essentially created a single that appeals to the lowest-common denominator, made it popular, and never has to use any of the terms or lyrics that seemed to have become almost a necessity to make a song popular on mainstream hip-hop charts.

It certainly isn’t going to get ultra-feminist to go run out and buy his record. Nor even please them to any degree. Nevertheless, in a genre of music that regardless of the reasons and complexities is overrun with overt sexism; I find Webbie’s contribution to be highly fascinating and worth a listen.

Finally, to add to the complexity of the song, “Independent” is actually a bit of a lyrical re-working of one of his older songs called, “Bad Bitch”. So its almost as if by taking out the go-to term he was able to make a song that was much more popular than his previous single.

strange…

Here’s the video. P.S. I love this song and sing it on the regular:

Misogyny, Racism, Pop Culture and Bret Michaels' wig

The democratic primary elections are spawning intense debate and discourse in both the media and your local bar on the issue of race and gender. While there have been some calls to move beyond these topics when examining which candidate one should elect, the conversation seems to always fall back into this touchy and passionate subject matter.

Really though, it’s a good thing. Never in my short 24 year life do I recall such continual and intense discourse in all aspects of our social spectrum on the issue of gender and race. Needless to say, a whole lot is being revealed about our society. While some of it may be ugly and difficult to deal with, the very fact that the conversation is taking place is a good thing. If we are going to ever begin to break down the institutionalized structures and generalizations that perpetuate this oppression then the first thing to do is acknowledge that they exist. If anything talking about it allows you to really understand what the other person, who is supposedly on the otherside of the conversation or poltical spectrum, is all about.

Nevertheless, emotions do fly and one approach to this conversation is examining the historical context of race and gender in our country in an attempt to reveal who has suffered more: blacks or women. Of course, there is a lot wrong with this approach. First and foremost should be the place of black women. Where do they fit in to this conversation? In addition, making comparisons about who has suffered more is the unfortunate outcome of a near-sighted perspective that fails to examine the possibilities for moving beyond the small framework of such an argument. For the sake of this blog let us just agree on one thing: both have suffered and continue to be marginalized.

A reworking of this question that has recently arisen in conversatons is rooted in a more contemporary context that may be more constructive than who had it worse. Rather, let us ask what is more prevalent in today’s society: misogyny or racism?

I don’t ask this question to determine who would be a better candidate. In fact, I think this question should bear no impact on one’s vote. Rather, I think it is an interesting point to bring up to reveal the differing characteristics and nuances that these forms of marginalization are presented in society today. If anything, an attempt at assessing this question can help is lead to a better understand of the two in a contemporary context.

Due to a few recent encounters with pop culture and a conversation with a friend, it seems that while racism does still exist, it seems to exist on a much more subversive, almost unconscious level. Out right blatant racism is hardly tolerated in American society and especially in mainstream culture and media. Certainly it is there but it’s all below the surface. Please inform me if one thinks I am incorrect here. Remember, I am not saying that it doesn’t exist, its just not so outright blatantly expressed.

However, the same cannot necessarily be said for misogyny which seems prevalent in society on a much more apparent level. Turn on your television; it doesn’t take a gender studies major to realize that there is serious sexism still going on in mainstream society. Recently, a few things brought this revelation to my attention:

Example one: Rock of Love.

For those of you unfamiliar, Poison lead singer Bret Michaels has a show solely dedicated to finding his next “rock-girl of love.” Sure, these girls put themselves in this position but there is something seriously wrong (but admittedly…amazingly entertaining) going on in this show. It’s the ultimate groupie fantasy played out on television. Bret spends a day with these girls doing various different activities with them. Then equipped with pen and a pad of paper (no doubt the same one that he writes down those genius lyrics on) he determines which girls get to say on the show and which need to leave.

“Well, Katrina is a bit of wacko but she has got a good rack so that’s a bonus.”

This show is completely absurd. Nevertheless, the sexism is obviously apparent and perpetuating stereotypes and even encouraging them with each passing second. Watching the show, I couldn’t help but think of a show on television that would be this apparent in perpetuating racist generalizations about minorities. I don’t think such a show exists nor could it.

Example 2: Miss Bimbo

Anyone hear about this video game site yet? It basically a RPG where girls as young as seven are encouraged girls to go on crash diets and get breast implants. Yikes!

As CNN reports:

“When a girl signs up, they are given a naked virtual character to look after and pitted against other girls to earn "bimbo" dollars so they can dress her in sexy outfits and take her clubbing.”

Once again, it’s hard to think of a similar video game site that would be so apparent in its racism. I suppose Grand Theft Auto series would be the closest to perpetuating such ideas…but even the sometimes racist undertones come off not so apparent and in your face.

It is at this point in the conversation that I don’t know where to necessarily go. Misogyny and sexism seem to reveal themselves in a lot more apparent ways in mainstream media and pop culture. However, we can’t all get too serious on ourselves and become stick in the mud super liberals with no sense of humor. After all, generalizations do seem to exist on partial truths. (Thus the beauty and hilariousness of the blog: Stuff White People Like) Furthermore, perhaps this just reveals that the subtle nature of racism in this country is a sign that it is all that more ingrained and harder to educate about, examine and pinpoint. Nevertheless, the observation has been made.

The line between what is entertaining and what is perpetuating the marginalization of a certain group of people can often be fuzzy. All I can conclude is that there doesn't seem to be a whole lot you can do to change it on the level of pop culture. In fact, it seems that such generalizations that walk that line is what drives pop culture. Thus, my only conclusion at this point is that the level of mainstream pop culture seems to be a arena where touchy issues such as sexism, racism and other forms of oppression are able to cross boundaries and partially exploit taboos that are otherwise discouraged from conversations in our interactions within most social settings. However, there is also an interesting tension because even the arena of pop culture is restricted in regards to language, imagery and some types of subject matter. Thus, the freedom to explore these sensitive issues beyond the context of how they are typically discussed in social forums(excluding some academic levels) is given, yet not without certain restrictions. The end result is often fascinating and highly creative. (Personally, it often makes low-brow, trash culture so much more interesting to me than any form of high-art or culture. )

Thus, when examing an issues like misogyny or racism within a contemporary context is seems that often one of the best places to start is by flipping on your television. What are you seeing and what are you NOT seeing? Obviously, there are many more levels to be explored. Does pop culture really represent our society? How much are we dictating mainstream culture? How much does pop culture dictate how we act, think or consume? Regardless of these debatable points, the arena of pop culture is a fascinating place to watch some of these issues play out and often times is a seemingly more accurate, true, representation of where and how these issues permeate into American society.

Final question: does anyone else think Bret Michaels is wearing a wig?