Continued from page 18
The Queen Latifahs of the game who would challenge male oppres-
sors and encourage women to demand respect are few and far
between. In such proclamations in lyrics like “You gotta let ‘em
know/ You’re not a b**** or a hoe” and in songs like “Ladies First,”
Queen Latifah clearly defined her expectations of how women
ought to be viewed by not only hip-hop culture, but by society
INVISIBLE
in general. With the exception of Lauryn Hill and Eve, who are
no longer the apples of mainstream’s eye, the few female MCs
now in the limelight are perpetuating the same images—whether
consciously or unconsciously—that male artists have outlined for
women, by over exerting their sexuality, lyrically obsessing over
obtaining the latest European fashions—that the average woman
can’t afford—and insisting in their lyrics that they get paid for giving
As we are inundated with a bar-
rage of derogatory names and
images of Black women
within hip-hop culture,
no one seems to notice
the woman at school,
work or home try-
ing to raise her
daughter to defy
the overwhelm-
ing images
within a culture
that doesn’t
fully recognize
her worth.
up the goods.
Furthermore, the agenda-set-
ting media further sensational-
izes our shattered image by capi-
talizing on maintaining the nega-
tive stereotypes of Black women.
The images of women portrayed in
hip-hop have been used as tools to sell
to hip-hop audiences in the videos, com-
mercials and advertisements for products
such as cars, rims and jewelry.
As we are inundated with a barrage
of derogatory names and images of Black
women within hip-hop culture, no one
seems to notice the woman at school,
work or home trying to raise her daughter
to defy the overwhelming images within
a culture that doesn’t fully recognize her
worth. But who really cares when both
are invisible? What’s her name again?
Illustrations by Michelle Diane Wright
A publication of the Afro-American Newspapers Trends 19
TTrends Summer 2007.indd 19rends Summer 2007.indd 19 55/29/07 2:08:54 PM/29/07 2:08:54 PM
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