The Media. It is everywhere. Assailed by multiple forms, media can be felt, heard, seen, tasted, and even smelled. Television. Radio. Billboards. Fast food. Promotional giveaways. We are surrounded, it’s true. In a society that is so saturated with media, be it in forms of entertainment or news, it is almost impossible to avoid disagreement and controversy. This can come in many different forms, from taking sides and voting for one contestant or the other on American Idol, to a radio broadcaster or news reporter using offensive language on the air. Regarding the latter, Don Imus and the recent uproar is a fitting example. A long time radio personality, Imus is known for having a fiery mouth. Equipped with strong opinions and the ability to not leave anyone out of his ring of jokes and insults, be they serious or playful, his most recent comments have undoubtedly become his most notorious. Geared towards the players on the Rutgers University women’s basketball team, some of his comments raised more than just a few eyebrows.
“That’s some rough girls from Rutgers…Man, they got tattoos…”
OK…
“That’s some nappy-headed hos there.”
Really? Really?!
Aside from the fact that Imus genuinely knows how to butcher the English language, and that he is generalizing that possibly any girl with a tattoo is rough, it seems a bit peculiar coming from a 66-year-old white male. Is this what he really thinks? Does he believe that black female basketball players are nappy-headed hos? Does he even know what that means? Do you or I even know what a nappy-headed ho is? I can’t say for sure I understand the connotation, as slang words can have several different meanings. But why did he call them “rough” and “nappy-headed hos”? Does he associate all black women with what he sees on rap videos and hears in popular music?
A-ha.
Here is a possibility: In a situation of age reversal, Don Imus became a child when he nonchalantly, maybe unknowingly spoke those words. It is entirely feasible that he had no clue what he was saying. Like a toddler imitating his parents or schoolmates and proudly displaying knowledge of one (or several) curse words that only “grown ups” are allowed to say, it could be that Imus was merely observing his surroundings and concluding that, since there have been relatively few uproars about the way women are depicted in the popular media (be it African American culture or not), it would be OK for him to say something like that. Heck, all the kids are saying it, right?
But this thought brings attention to a much more real possibility. There is the possibility that the content of music, specifically rap and hip-hop, has a profound influence on our culture and significantly blurs the line between what is acceptable and what is not. Here is a striking example of this conundrum, brought to you by none other than multiple award-winning rapper Eminem:
“Now I don't wanna hit no women when this chick's got it coming
Someone better get this bitch before she gets kicked in the stomach
And she's pregnant, but she's egging me on, begging me to throw her
Off the steps on this porch, my only weapon is force”
Not enough? Here is a less violent, equally disturbing display:
“Girl, you looks good, won't you back that ass up
You's a fine motherf-----, won't you back that ass up
Call me big daddy when you back that ass up
Ho, who is you playing with back that ass up”
Provided by the rapper Juvenile, these lyrics blatantly represent women, or a certain girl, as nothing more than objects that men use for their pleasure. Though this phrase is not in context with the rest of the song, if it were put into context this point would only be reinforced. To see or hear for yourself, the song is called “Back That Ass Up” by Juvenile. This music is heard all over the airwaves. I distinctly remember hearing this song and even seeing the music video on MTV during the day when I was in middle school. This media is exposed to anyone who has access to radio, television, or the Internet, ready to corrupt young malleable minds.
As a society, we embrace this type of music and even praise it. Dana Williams brings up a good point in her Tolerance.org (2/28/03) article:
“If [music] industry nods of approval like the Grammys are any indication, lyrics promoting hatred, objectification and exploitation of women are increasingly accepted as authentic forms of artistic expression – particularly in some rap and hip hop music.”
This is such a valid point. We absolutely love this stuff. How can we start to deal with the issue if we continue to encourage it? It is hard to preserve freedom of expression while ensuring that as few people as possible are offended. Going back to Imus, furthering this are words from Naomi C. Earp, chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission:
“The offensive remarks of Imus and McGuirk, the belated reaction of the networks and radio station, and Imus' defense of his comments by pointing to rap lyrics -- as if two wrongs make a right -- indicate the need for a clear and unambiguous dialogue about racism in America.”
She indicates that rap lyrics are in the wrong. Why, then, is there more of a concerted effort to lash out against Don Imus when he makes a mistake then to lash out at the music industry as a whole, particularly the rap and hip hop sector? It only makes sense that in order to create a “clear and unambiguous” dialogue about racism there must be equal effort in reaching out to those who prominently put forth racist and misogynistic ideals for all to see (artists) and those who make mistakes due in part to confusion of what is OK to say and what is not (Imus). Thanks to television, radio and the music industry, many get the impression that it is acceptable to call women “bitches” and “hos”.
If Ludacris is saying it why can’t I? It’s on TV, so it’s OK, right?
This may be the train of thought for many people. Though it may seem childish, (remember your mother asking you if you’d jump off a bridge if so-and-so did?) it is how corporate America works. If it sells and makes money, then there is considerably less thought about morals and the possible consequences of such behavior. If there is going to be dialogue, the record companies that produce this music and push these videos must come into agreement with those that are hurt by the lyrics and images.
How can we come to a consensus that music containing these lyrics is hurtful if our country promotes it? By promoting it, I mean to say that Americans are buying it. We are in love with rap and hip-hop. Listen to a Top 40 radio station and odds are in favor of the majority of the songs being played are rap or hip-hop. For example, I just checked the KIIS FM Los Angeles radio station website to see the last 10 played songs. They include: “Irreplaceable” by Beyonce; “The Sweet Escape” by Gwen Stefani; “Because of You” by Ne-Yo; “Impacto” by Daddy Yankee featuring Fergie; and “I Wanna Luv U” by Akon. Four of the first five songs fall into the rap/hip hop/R&B category, with Gwen Stefani on the borderline. People love the beat. They love the aggressive nature and sexy content. It just makes one want to dance. Something so prevalent in our society should not be such a problem, but it is.
Luckily the issue of rap lyrics has long been in the minds music executives and social leaders alike. In fact, just recently the hip-hop icon Russell Simmons called a meeting for top-level music executives to discuss the use of offensive lyrics in music (Daniel Trotta, Reuters.com 4/23/07). Simmons called for “voluntary restrictions” on words such as “bitch,” “nigger,” and “ho.” He said that these words should be considered as obscene as the ‘extreme curse words’ that are bleeped out for television and radio. Of course he has a point, and it is admirable that those in charge of releasing this content are at least talking about it. We live in a free country. America is the land of the free. We say it is, and so do others. Though the current administration may be a little more Big Brother-ish than others, I find it hard to believe that we will begin to censor music lyrics. Russell Simmons thinks so too, which is why he is calling for voluntary restrictions. This leaves it up to the artist’s themselves to make the decision. Sometimes, though, it’s all about making the cash, and being sexual and vulgar is what’s hot right now. Probably always will be, but that’s a different story. James Poniewozik makes a great point in his Time Magazine article (4/23/07):
“…we also live in a culture in which racially and sexually edgy material is often--legitimately--considered brilliant comment, even art.”
If albums sales and Grammy awards presentations are any indication, then this statement is true. We really enjoy making fun of and degrading each other, as long as we aren’t the ones being made fun of or degraded. It seems that we aren’t secure enough with ourselves to take the heat, so we’ll just bash others in order to feel better about ourselves. This can happen in many forms and rap music is one of them (along with other forms of music, of course). It’s about power. The alpha male. Misogynistic values incorporated into lyrics and video. And yet, women participate. This is another issue: Women volunteering themselves into this position.
Here’s an interesting thought: Even though it may seem outrageous that women would want to be a part of overtly degrading, sexual videos, can it possibly be equally empowering? For without the female and her body, what would the man have to talk (sing, rap) about? It’s like the video vixens are doing the job they want to be doing, collecting the cash, and laughing all the way to the bank about how pathetic it looks for someone to surround themselves with dozens of beautiful women knowing that in reality it would never happen. Sigh, we all need therapy.
While the problem of objectifying women through music does not adhere specifically to the United States, it seems less of a problem in some other countries. Take Brazil for instance. A program started in 2003 by Gilberto Gil, the Brazilian government’s minister of culture, is all about hip-hop and teaching its aspects to the country’s lower-class youth (Larry Rohter, New York Times 3/14/07). By giving monetary grants to community groups throughout the country, this program is teaching the arts of hip-hop to eager students. This art includes graffiti, emceeing (rapping), DJing, break dancing, and recording music. In America, teaching this to our youth would be looked down upon by countless eyes. We associate hip-hop and rap with gang violence and sexual promiscuity and surely don’t want our kids to fall under these influences. But in other countries like Brazil, hip-hop is regarded as more of an art form. Rappers that flaunt excess jewelry and women are looked down upon, while those with socially conscious lyrics are hailed. The goal is to cultivate creativity in poorer sections of the country and spread the positivity that hip-hop can inspire. Sign me up, Mr. Gil!
At the basis of all of this lies the definition of what is right and what is wrong. Unfortunately, there really is no general consensus as to what is permissible and what is not. Every person has their own set of morals and beliefs. While some may think that degrading lyrics are offensive to women and should be abolished, others take it with a grain of salt. Of course, lying within this is the issue of personal restraint. In most cases, individuals have the right and means to see and hear only what they want. Especially with children, I feel that it is up to the parent to do their best to control what the child is exposed to. A parent cannot be with a child at all times, but especially at home television and music can be filtered judging by what a parent feels is appropriate for the child. There are no specific guidelines for each person has a different set of values, but I wouldn’t let my 10-year-old (if I had one) watch “Tip Drill” by Nelly.
As a country, we may never come to an agreement about this issue. That is a given; there will always be people who disagree, sometimes just for the sake of disagreeing. While the lyrics in some music can be offensive, it is important to have the mindset, “To each his own.” For every despicable act and unimaginable thought to you, there is at least one person who thinks the exact opposite. What we must learn to do as individuals and as citizens united by our country and by the world is to think before we act. We must realize that we all have our own mind and that some opinions will differ from others. We cannot be influenced by rap lyrics and videos to the point that we begin to say genuinely hurtful things. It’s not OK just because someone else is doing it. Adhere to your own set of values. Believe in your own morals and form your own opinions. If they happen to be offensive to some, then so be it. Don’t change for others, but don’t deliberately hurt them either. We are all entitled to our own beliefs and it must be realized that it is up to every single one of us to deal with our surroundings. Sometimes those surroundings are dark and scary. Sometimes they are hurtful and mean, deliberately lewd. But sometimes they are beautiful. Keep in mind that there exists a balance in everything: With evil, there must be good. Determine how you will react and your attitude will be shaped from that determination. Make a conscious effort to see the good, and things just might start to clear up. There is not just one answer that can solve this problem, but we are all in it together and if we are open and understanding then we can accomplish great things.
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