Sexual Politics of the Hip Hop Generation

I'm not sure when it becomes necessary to draw these lines... But I think that maybe a better description could have been made. Just becuase you're immersed in hip hop culture doesn't mean that you're a feminist... Also a clearer distinction could have been made between activist and feminist (or hip hop feminist). Feminists are not always activists and activists aren't always feminists. From our other readings and class discussions I view a hip hop feminist as more of someone who is aware of, and identifying with, feminism. This little quote from Pough kind of makes it seem like anyone who is in hip hop culture is a feminist, and that's untrue.

I totally agree with Jackie's comment. I think the line between being a hip hop feminist and not being a hip hop feminist is very blurry. Because I listen to rap music and would definitely consider myself as part of the hip hop culture and could even call myself immersed in it. And even though I agree that many of the lyrics I listen to are demeaning and sometimes unworthy of even the slightest attention, I still do not see myself as a hip hop feminist. I believe a hip hop feminist is a woman who not only has knowledge of the culture and is immersed in it, but who also plays and active role in educating the hip hop culture and making them aware of the issues women face and how hip hop contributes to those issues.

I agree with Jackie that I am unsure where to draw these lines as well. I have the same problems defining hip hop feminism as I do defining feminism, in terms of who fits where and what beliefs are. Just as there is some hesitation from various parties to include men in the feminist movement because of their lack of situated or lived knowledge of the oppression faced by women, I think that this same hesitation arises when we think about placing people in the category of hip hop feminism. I agree with Pough that being immersed in hip hop in some way or another is important in calling oneself a hip hop feminist, but what degree of immersion is necessary? And what elements or parts of hip hop does one need to be immersed in, in order to be a true hip hop feminist? From what we have read, it seems that the term hip hop feminism is fairly inclusive in terms of who can be included. I wonder about the women who dance in music videos that may be derogatory to women and claim that they are expressing their sexuality or sexual freedom...how do they fit into the equation?

I'm not sure drawing the lines can necessarily be done. Personally, I feel as though feminism and the act of being a feminist depends on each person and their ideals. Although men do not have the lived experiences of women (and should not try to pretend they have), I have met a few who truly understand what it means to be a feminist. These men have been able to step aside and hear what women say. The same could be said for hip hop feminism. I don't think someone necessarily has to be a certain race or gender. They just have to be able to connect, identify, and be active in the movement. Also, because "hip hop is in a state of flux (Price)," the people will always look different but have some of the same ideals.

I also agree with Jackie in that I do not know where to draw the line. I think that just being immersed in hip hop and experiencing it does not necessarily make you a hip hop feminist. The readings we had for class on Tuesday described hip hop feminism in much most detail and Pough’s definition is so vague in comparison to those articles. Shouldn’t there be more about women and feminism in the definition instead of just being involved in hip hop? I think that everybody’s definition of feminism is different, but I feel like any person’s definition would include something about women and sexuality, where as this definition gives nothing about women. I agree with her in that I do believe that in order to be a hip hop feminist you do need to be immersed in hip hop, but I feel that it is much more than that. I think that it needs to have how much of hip hop is degrading towards women and that to be a hip hop feminist you should be trying to decrease this degrading and putting effort towards changing it and putting it towards people’s attention and letting people recognize it. I feel that Pough needs to re-define hip hop feminist with more detail so people can understand better.

I think that definite lines can be drawn around hip hop feminism. Like many political movements, not just any sympathetic person can jump on hip hop feminism--allies should not be the voice of a movement they do not represent, lest they unintentionally dis-empower that group. Aisha Durham says hip hop feminism is "grounded in the situated knowledge of women of color." I am not a woman of color, and cannot speak to what a woman of color experiences. The best I can do is ally myself to hip hop feminism as a feminist. I think that coalition building is vital to the kind of activism we have been discussing in class, but I know from experience that overstepping boundaries in progressive movements can create divisions among groups who should be working together.

I agree with Pough that in order to be a hip hop feminist you have to be immersed in the culture becasue you can't fight for something that you know nothing or little about. I consider myself apart of the hip hop generation even though I was born after the "cut off year" ":-) Growing up in Brooklyn I was immersed in the hip hop culture. I used to listen to rap music not so much because of the lyrics but because I liked the beats. I no longer listen to it because it's demeaning to women and I get mad at my boyfreind when he listens to it because then he gets ideas that I don't like for example Plies song Bust it Baby. After hearing the song he began calling me his "bust it baby" and I just about lost my mind. I constantly fight with him about how horrible the music is but does that make me a hip hop feminist? NO!!! So how do you determine who is a hip hop feminist? What makes you a hip hop feminist? What am I?

It was so wired because today in The Daily I read this editorial about the lack of feminism in our society or basically that feminism does not exist and if it does women are doing a poor job at it. Really? Maybe this guy should come to our class! So it made me think about the question even more. Hip hop feminism is something that was created after the civil rights movement when Black women were still facing issues with their positions in their families, their relationships, and their position in life. I think that this particular form of feminism is about many things that are current issues in the Black Community. For instance the high rate of HIV among black women, Domestic violence against Black women, poverty and lack of reproductive choices like abortion and birth control. Men still dominate the rap and hip-hop world and Black women want their voices heard. I am a feminist and as a white woman I feel like it is important for me to educate myself about the issues that hip hop feminist face so that I can become an ally in their fight. I can support them by questioning the lyrics that are marketed and sold in rap music as well as writing to the artist themselves. There is however a situational knowledge that must come with this and what other feminist can learn for this is very important.

So I think that it is necessary to draw the line between someone who is considered an activist or merely a hip hop fan because it is not only because the music touches you, or has an impact on the way you think or how you choose to live out your life, but when you feel it is necessary to become involved in the movement. I believe that lyrics from songs, poems, books, etc can be very influential and provocative, but the question then lies in "what will you do with it?" If you choose to absorb it and think about it that is one thing but when you use those words as a catalyst to personally make a social/political change is when they come to have a deeper meaning. If you don't necessarily relate to the words directly doesn't mean that you cannot become interested in making change. This is where the whole being "authentic" comes into the spotlight. Some think that you have to personally endure a 'rough' upbringing to be able to speak out on those things. But I challenge that, with "what's wrong with empathy?" Can't we be passionate people and strive to help a greater good that we will all benefit from? I believe the difference in drawing these lines lies between action and being stationary.

I think that the crucial factor to take notice of is that since much of this is subjective, the distinction can change with each person and set of circumstances. Although it is important to draw a line, it is nearly impossible to do so in an overarching sense. We define a hip hop activist/feminist as someone who has experienced the injustices hip hop outlines, but one that recognizes and focuses on women's struggles. Authenticity comes into question when one wonders, if you fulfill the general guidelines for being a hip hop feminist (i.e., you are a part of the black community, for example) does that automatically mean you are included in this category? There could easily be someone who advocates awareness of prevalent issues and speaks out against negative portrayals of women, but does not directly experience these problems. The more I write about this the more I confuse myself about how I define a hip hop feminist or activist at that, because of all of the factors one can figure in. I guess the line needs to be drawn, but the real issue (that I have yet to resolve) is how.