Anything You Can Do, I Can Do...Never?

Since the beginning of time, women have been rendered essentially powerless not only by the actions of their counterparts, but also by the structural standards put in place by the patriarchal society. In retrospect, it is safe to question whether or not the Constitution, which was put into effect over 200 years ago, was meant to be taken literally when it read that “all men are created equal” (Madison). Aside from the fact that women are still fighting for their rights financially and politically, there are a number of unrealistic moral standards that have been imposed upon women by society. Most women are expected to “be a lady,” often acting in a manner that directly contradicts or juxtaposes human nature, forcing women to suppress their desires, sexually and otherwise. Although society says differently, women should be allowed to exhibit their sexuality and power of choice. 

One of the many attempts to silence a woman’s sexuality rears its ugly head in something referred to as slut-shaming. Slut-shaming is the idea of attacking a woman or a girl for dressing sensually, having one or more sexual partners, acknowledging sexual feelings, and/or acting on sexual feelings. To put it simply, the term is used to “condemn women for being comfortable with their own sexuality” (Beusman). Though this phenomenon did not have a name until recently, it is something that has been in practice for a while. It is based on the notion that women are not allowed to participate in sexual activity as freely as men. If one is not careful, it can have extremely negative effects on women who have suffered any type of sexual abuse. Slut-shaming often implies that a rape victim’s actions (i.e. what she wore, how much alcohol she consumed, etc.) plays a role in her being sexually abused. Most repeat offenders of slut-shaming claim that putting a stop to sexual assault is as simple as “wear[ing] ‘modest’ clothes and avoid[ing] behaviors which ‘entice’ rapists” (Glenn).  This teeters a dangerous line, encouraging rape victims to blame themselves for their own unfortunate circumstances. When in actuality, rape “means violation, misuse of power, [and] taking something away from another person that they [will] never get back” (Snapp).

To make matters worse, while women are denigrated for their sexual conquests, men are often praised or celebrated for theirs. Many derogatory terms have even been created (i.e., slut,  floozy, thot) and used as weapons in order to shame women for their right to partake in sexual activity of any kind; of course, it doesn’t stop there. More recently, women have been shamed for their right to say no as well. Many women exhibit their sexuality by wearing revealing clothing, leading most men to think that it is an invitation to express or exert their sexual desires. As a result, many women have been cat-called, harassed, and in some cases – sexually assaulted. However, instead of blaming men for their lack of self-control, women are the ones more than likely deemed deserving of the treatment based on the exhibition of their sexuality. 

Thankfully, in more recent years, many events have taken place in order to put an end to matters such as these. Among the most popular of these events is the Slut Walk, a transitional movement created to put an end to rape culture. Many people (most notably, Amber Rose) have participated in and supported events such as these in hopes of minimizing issues that women face, such as slut-shaming and sexual abuse. Earlier this year, Amber Rose organized her own slut walk in order to shed light on a woman’s power of choice. Many women came out to support Amber, though her decision was heavily criticized and questioned on social media. While it is understood that the name of the event can be misleading, it is saddening that events like these still need to take place. It is disappointing that women still feel the need to make people aware that they have the right to accept or decline the flirtatious or sexual advances of a young man.

That being said, there are a number of things the public can do in order to put a stop to slut-shaming as well as victim blaming. Instead of media outlets focusing on what rape victims wore, how much alcohol they consumed, or any other outside factors, they should be focused on what goes on in the mind of a young man who lacks self-control. Media outlets should focus on what makes any man think it is acceptable to speak to, touch, or have sexual intercourse with any woman without her consent. In a Huffington Post article on the aftermath of sexual assault, Dr. Ludy Green theorizes that “victim blaming still exists because it would be easier if rape were actually the victim's fault [because] bystanders can remain innocent bystanders, rid themselves of guilt, and therefore all desire to contribute to the cause of protecting women.” In order to put a stop to sexual assault for good, it is imperative to teach men to view women as equals instead of diminishing them to objects of their sexual desire. Once that happens, men may be able to have more of a grip on their sexual yearning.

While events like the Slut Walk do an excellent job of bringing awareness to women’s rights, more people need to do their part in order for a significant change to occur. There are a number of changes that need to be put in place in regards to not only sexual abuse, but also a woman’s power of choice. Women should not have to wear a certain type of clothing out of fear of being harassed, nor should they have to suppress their natural instincts. Women should also be allowed to make the same choices men make sexually without being criticized for it. Although everyone is entitled to their own set of values and standards, one should make sure that those values and standards are based on morality, not gender.  

Feminism, Feuds, and Female Rap - Oh My!

Cardi B and Nicki Minaj’s fermenting feud came to a head recently when the two exchanged jabs via social media. The rumored tension between the two was confirmed, however, when reports surfaced that the two emcees had been involved in some sort of altercation during this year’s Met Gala - some of which were accompanied by video footage. This sent social media spiraling. Among the hilarious memes and commentary was a conversation that inevitably follows any public dispute between two women in the industry – feminism and female rap. 

It’s no secret that hip-hop is a male dominated field. If I’m honest, I’d love to see more women working together amicably, but that’s not what feminism is about. According to Merriam-Webster, feminism is “the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.” So, while it is disheartening that female rap collaborations seem few and far between, the fact that two women in the same industry don’t get along is really irrelevant with regard to feminism. 

I’m glad that Nicki and Cardi have patched things up, agreeing to move forward cordially. Truthfully, however, I roll my eyes whenever women are encouraged to get along for the sake of “feminism” – especially when men in the same field are rarely, if ever, held to the same standard. In fact, many men are urged to respond to one another for listeners’ entertainment. Drake and Pusha T, for example, had a very public feud earlier this year, yet everyone pushed them to continue their battle.

As a feminist myself, I’ll admit that this double standard irritates me. I find it ironic that the very reason Nicki and Cardi are even able to dominate in the hip-hop field is now being used against them. Instead of fundamental pillars of equality and support – like they were originally intended - it seems as though feminism has become an argument of convenience used to silence women. What was originally a weapon used to defend ourselves against patriarchy has now become the sword they stab us with. 

Good Kid, Mad Industry: Kendrick Lamar's "To Pimp A Butterfly" 2 Years Later

     In light of Kendrick Lamar’s most recent album release (“DAMN”), I thought it’d be interesting to revisit/analyze his last body of work. What happens when a self-proclaimed “good kid” is thrust into a “mad” industry? Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp a Butterfly” is a complex and detailed narrative of exactly that. Though Lamar speaks openly about the negative effects of fame, he also explores many aspects of his personal life, including depression, survivor’s guilt, as well as his stance on today’s political climate. The Compton-born rapper’s noteworthy storytelling ability is one of the many things that separates “Butterfly” from other hip-hop albums of its time. Coupled with the album’s poetic nature, Kendrick’s self-deprecating honesty throughout really helps illustrate the ugly side of the rap game. 

     One quality of “Butterfly” that stood out was Kendrick’s knack for presenting his thoughts and feelings with clarity and cohesion. He does so by using a piece of his own spoken word to help narrate the album, carrying listeners all the way through. He only gives you a bit of the poem at a time, however, allowing the line of the poem he stops at indicate what the next song’s theme may be. Kendrick’s song “u” (a song chronicling his struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts), for example, opens with him screaming. The line of the poem that precedes the song is “Resentment…turned into a deep depression; I found myself screaming in a hotel room.” This happens throughout the album, and another great example would be when Kendrick stops at the line “I found myself running for answers, until I came home,” which is a lead-in to “Momma,” a song inspired by Kendrick’s trip to Africa. 

     While Kendrick exhibited his gift of creative writing, I also found that this album’s themes were very reminiscent of Ice Cube’s earlier work. Though these two Compton natives have a unique way in which they present these viewpoints, I couldn’t help but notice the glaring similarities in their sentiments. In an interview with popular hip-hop morning show, “The Breakfast Club,” Kendrick stated that Ice Cube is one of his many musical influences. Therefore, by putting a modern twist on a Compton classic, this could be Kendrick’s way of paying homage to Cube, as well as his hometown.  

     All that said, I thought long and hard about any real gripes I had with the album – was there anything I would have changed? Are there things I think could have been done better? Though I don’t have anything negative to say about this album from a musical or lyrical standpoint, I do wish that Kendrick would have made the album a bit shorter. Someone like me (with the attention span of a toddler) could find themselves getting lost in this dense and heavy material. Though Kendrick’s thorough writing style lends itself to helping pull listeners through, the lyrical content – political injustice, suicide, feelings of incompetence, etc. - can be a lot for people to consume.

     Overall, “To Pimp a Butterfly” is a well-constructed, cohesive account of Kendrick Lamar’s rise to superstardom. Though I feel listeners could get lost in the complex and dense content, Kendrick’s use of creative vocal effects and writing techniques helped him a great deal. The artist’s honest and open approach to his music is sure to keep listeners intrigued. That said, I cannot deny that Kendrick found a way to blend commentary on the music industry, today’s political climate, and personal issues of his own as seamlessly as possible.