I have a drama final project to do at the end of this term(april 6). It's a theme concert. We have to pick a topic or theme, and present 3-8 pieces of writing on it and through our presentation make some sort of statement. I picked women in today's culture. Here are some of the things I wanna focus on: -women have to be perfect to be beautiful as seen through the media -women have to be sex objects before they are seen as attractive -women as potrayed by rap lyrics/videos I know, I'm focusing mainly on the negative aspects, but I want to get a point across. Women fought so hard for equal rights, and now it's as if we are wanting to be seen as the lesser sex. We want to give up power and just be seen as pretty and sexy. I have some material for my project, but not a lot. And I figured some of you guys may have some on file already. What I have so far is a poem by Jewel, and the lyrics to a rap song by Eminem in which he kills his wife. I am allowed to use: -lyric -prose -poetry -journal entry -monologue Thanks for your help guys.
Societies self-contradiction stance on how aggressive and submissive a woman should be? It's a thought... Sorry, I had to read it a few times to understand what you were getting at... didn't sound like a question so much as informing about what you were doing my brain doesn't process things well sometimes
Feminist ethics. Look it up. The name is quite deceptive. It is one of the better things the fairer sex has brought to our sad world.
Behind the scenes of all these degradations of women we find the horroble misleading mischief of men. They have somehow managed to dupe many females into telling them that they are "liberated" when they expose their body parts but in reality this is just so as to please themselves. Hence, most men treat women in a foolish matter, either thinking them self better than them(due to arrogance) or using them (by enjoying their company and then telling them their useless) What ever happend to respect, modesty and tolerance?
But why assert all women as victims, if we accept that we are 'duped by men' then we are in many ways suggesting that we are incapable of seeing things their way, that they are leading us and that we are incapable of taking control of our destiny and ... I dont know about you, but I am no second to any man. Equallity all the way babeeee
are you going to show the positive aspects of the points you're doing? like when you talk about women in hip hop music, for example. while most of what is seen in todays culture is negative, there are some artists that support women's rights in their lyrics. also, when hip hop started out, people had to be able to move their equiptment quickly and easily. generally, it was easier for the men to carry a 150-lb amp up a flight of stairs than it was for the women. this is part of the reason women weren't as involved as hip hop artists originally. as time went on, more women became lyricists. i just think it would be a shame to ignore artists like jill scott, or jean grae or bahamaia. while it seems like a lot of hip hop today degrades women, ignoring talented females silences them and lables them as insignificant hip hop artists, and continues to keep them less popular, and their messages do not spread. women are strong! and hip hop culture is an excellent stage for this. it's not right that a lot of hip hop is degrading to women, so i hope you don't take what i'm saying the wrong way. despite everything against us, all the degredation, all the name calling, turning us into sex objects, etc, we can still hold are own and find that our voice is strong. hip hop is an excellent example of gender struggles. some female artists gladly go along with the idea that they have to be overly sexual and such, so i'm not necessarily talking about little kim here. some women call each other sluts, but pretending that all women do that perpetuates a catty stereotype for women. refusing to listen to a females voice renders her words unheard. there was some quote about how hip hop was like "the key to the locker room" for women, and for the first time, many inner-city women found themselves on an equal playing field by participating in hip hop. so please, when looking at hip hop, keep in mind that ignoring ladies like jean grae only perpetuates the stereotype that women are insignificant.
going off of what lawngirl said don't forget the pioneer women of hip hop... Queen Latifah, MC Lyte and the ladies that paved the way for an artist such as Jill Scott.
Woman is the ****** of the World By John Lennon, as a good feminist lyric Paradise by th Dashboard Light, by Meatloaf, as an example of degrading females, and having it seen as "funny" and acceptable. This is one of the MOST degrading songs in Rock and Roll, and yet most womyn I know don't even realize it.
What would be interesting is if you could find a lyrical form of degredation to women from every genere of music. At least maybe every mainstream genere. You hear all the time about how rap music degrades women, but not much about the rest. Is it a bigger problem in rap music, or do other types of music compare? It would make for an interesting report on the matter, IMO.
Not sure if this will help. Bata Motel - CRASS I've got 54321 I've got a red pair of high-heels on Tumble me over, it doesn't take much Tumble me over, tumble me, push In my red high-heels I've no control The rituals of repression are so old You can do what you like, there'll be no reprisal I'm yours, yes I'm yours, it's my means of survival I've got 54321 Come on my love, I know you're strong Push me hard, make me stagger The pain in my back just doesn't matter You force-hold me above the ground I can't get away, my feet are bound So I'm bound to say That I'm bound to stay Well today I look so good Just like I know I should My breasts to tempt inside my bra My face is painted like a movie star I've studied my flaws in your reflection And put them to rights with savage correction I've turned my statuesque perfection And shone it over in your direction So come on darling, make me yours Trip me over, show me the floor Tease me, tease me, make me stay In my red high-heels I can't get away I'm trussed and bound like an oven ready bird But I bleed without dying and I won't say a word Slice my flesh and I'll ride the scar Put me into gear like your lady car Drive me fast and crash me crazy I'll rise from the wreckage as fresh as a daisy These wounds leave furrows as they heal I've travelled them, they're red and real I know them well, they're part of me My birth, my sex, my history They grew with me, my closest friend My pain's my own, my pain's my end Clip my wings so you know where I am I can't get lost while you're my man Tame me so I know your call I've stabbed my heels so I am tall I've bound my twisted falling fall Beautiful mute against the wall Beautifully mutilated as I fall Use me, don't lose me I've got 54321 I've got a red pair of high-heels on Strap my ankles, break my heels Make me kneel, make me feel Turn, turn, turn, like a clockwork doll Put in your key and give me a whirl Tease me, tease me, the reason to play In my red high-heels I can't get away I'll be your bonsai, your beautiful bonsai Your black-eyed bonsai, erotically rotting Will my tiny feet fit your desire? Warped and tied I walk on fire Burn me out, twist my wrists I promise not to shout, beat me with your fists Squeeze me, squeeze me, make me feel In my red high-heels I'm an easy kill Tease me, Tease me, make me see You're the only one, I need to be me Thankyou, will you take me? Thankyou, will you make me? Thankyou, will you break me? Use me, don't lose me Taste me, don't waste me Use, lose, taste, waste
yes, exactly! just focusing on rap isn't fair. i mean, you can look at riot grrl music and find lyrics that can be interpreted as anti-feminist. it's sad that hip hop always gets such a bad rap.. haha sorry, aside from my bad puns you make an excellent point.
Thanks for the feedback Kraftykathy:This is exactly like what I'm looking for! Thank you so much!! Also, I'll be sure to check out the other suggestions.
I agree with those that said that you should balance it out with positive points. If your focus is on women in today's culture then there is alot more to it than just rap/hip hop. Although, Queen Laitifah, Jill Scott, and India Arie are great examples of the positive aspects, so are artists like Ani Difranco (she is such an inspiration to many women to be themselves and stand up for their rights). Also, I'm not talking just women....you said you are using some lyrics from Eminem. How about using him as a negative view towards women in hip hop and then looking to some other white rappers for the positive aspect, like the Beastie Boys. This lyric from "Sure Shot" is a good one: "I want to say a little something that's long overdue the disrespect to women has got to be through to all the mothers and the sisters and the wives and friends I want to offer my love and respect to the end." John Mayor and Incubus are also examples of male artists that give props to women. I like where you're going with this project, but do try to look at both sides.
This is an excellent post Women are strong in hip-hop culture, and you gave some great examples. Also rappers like Foxy Brown sings "pussy is power" and that is real. Feminity and the appeal of beauty has become an essential tool for success in a culture that is driven by image. Just look at the number of sexy female artists who are dominating the charts and magazine covers in the last years: Britney, Christina, J.Lo, Beyonce, and now Hillary Duff and Lindsay Lohan etc. Doesn't that say something ? Men are placed at a serious disadvantage in an image-driven culture, and it should come at no surprise that women are increasinly used in videos as ornaments. It's not only an attempt to degrade them, it's the way to sell those movies to a market that demands the presence of attrative girls to buy. Of course, a lot of this gender bias is rooted in homophobia and until that issue is resolved men will always be looking for ways to stand out and gain attention, even if that means having a "slut" or two hanging at their arms.
