Introduction
Women have been exploited through the Hip-hop culture by men artists who ascribe them as sexual objects. According to Joan Morgan, and Ayanna's writings about women exploitation, it is evident that a large percent of women have engaged in Hip-hop music for fame and fortune. Hip-hop culture and ideas emerged from African-American and Latino-American young people who exhibited misogynistic traits against women. The misogyny aspect of Hip-hop culture is ascribed to discrimination practices against women, self-worth, and peer relations. The Hip-hop culture has embraced these misogynistic and exploitative practices against women. On the contrary, some women rappers have come out strongly in defending feminism in Hip-hop lifestyle. Some of the bright side of Hip-hop culture involves participation in fashion, music videos, TV shows, and in commercials. According to the articles, women seem to be aware of the misogyny and exploitation and yet have been entangled within the Hip-hop culture over the years. Besides, women rappers and other feminist groups' actions in fighting these exploitations have been in vain. According to the articles, the main question is why women have to engage in such activities that dehumanize them.
Statement of Thesis
Over the years, women have known to be dependent on men for their means of livelihood. As a result, women become reluctant in engaging in economic activities, which made them utilize their sexual powers in order to achieve economic gain from men. According to an interview conducted by the Vibes Magazine, four women interviewees claimed that they had nothing to offer apart from sex. This is as a result of low levels of education that subsequently lead to unemployment among women. Women, therefore, find the only means to survive is to use their sexual powers to gain economic advantage from men. This problem can be addressed through intervention by government, and relevant feminist groups advocating for women's education and independence. Initiation of programs to enlighten women can play an imperative role in changing their perceptions .
Background
Hip-hop culture perceptions against women can be attributed by their reliance on men for financial favors. Women have, over the years, been associated with sexual favors for money. This has mainly been ascribed to high level of unemployment that leads to indecent behaviors among women. The Hip-hop culture has magnified misogynistic practices through lyrics, stage performances, and club dance where women are willing doing anything, just for jewelry, drinks, and other material things. In the past, black women have had no access to power, protection, and wealth. As a result, to gain their desires, they could engage in prostitution activities thus fulfill their material desires. The aforementioned notion has been translated into the world of Hip-hop where women are more than willing to offer their bodies for money .
Analysis
Article 1
According to Ayanna, women's rights and freedoms are being violated within the Hip-hop community through myriad forms including sexist lyrics among others. The author argues that education remains to be the main reason for women engaging in Hip-hop culture for fulfillment of their wants. Hip-hop has been attributed with practices such as misogyny and gender discrimination. Misogyny exploitation of women has been accepted by some of the Hip-hop artists as well as the audience. In the recent years, Hip-hop lifestyle has penetrated most regions around the world especially in America. Some of the Hip-hop cultural aspects include break-dancing, deejaying, and graffiti-writing among other upcoming practices. In the United States, young people of the age bracket thirteen and thirty have formed part of the Hip-hop culture. The most influential aspect of the Hip-hop lifestyle is rap music. Over the years, rap music has been renowned to have misogynistic and violent qualities .
According to the author, all women, especially black women in Hip-hop culture are considered as sex objects. Women's rights are usually violated since they are expected to obey men in every undertaking. As a result, violence against women is encouraged by the ruthless and cruel character traits portrayed by men in the Hip-hop culture. In Hip-hop videos, women are described with names that depict them as sexual objects and they are worth no more than money. The author postulates Hip-hop culture as a result of black men oppression and racism they faced during the civil right era . On the contrary, Hip-hop culture is a manifestation of what the black women want to contend with because of their collaboration with men. The author objects censorship as a measure to end Hip-hop culture and discrimination of black women. According to the author, the only way to end these ideologies is to change the Hip-hop system and culture.
Article 2
According to the article by Joan Morgan, Hip-hop culture has disrespected and dehumanized women through their lyrics and videos. The author is a feminism who has a strong sense of the Hip-hop lifestyle against women. Black people have managed to, successfully; go through all odds in life, including racism, violent attacks, slavery, and racism among others. Joan Morgan expresses black Hip-hop culture as a result of pain and racism blacks faced. Accordingly, she emphasizes on what black women are supposed to be focusing on instead of giving in to what their brothers perceive. The author describes the love for Hip-Hop as an unhealthy love because one has to love himself before he loves another person. This is clearly demonstrated on the black men refer themselves as "niggas" while ladies are known as "bithches and "hos". As a black feminist, Joan advocates for the campaign against misogyny and discrimination against women in all aspects .
According to Joan, sex has been the way forward for women in gaining material wealth, protection, and power. Women have used their sexual powers for the purpose of acquiring and fulfilling their needs. Lack of education and unemployment is the driving agents to such practices as they are left with no other option rather than engage in sexual activities for money. Women perception about winning rather than being right in their acts has played an imperative role in misogyny and exploitation against women . Joan encourages individuals to stay like brothers and sisters in order to put to an end the Hip-hop ideology.
Outcome
The aspect of feminism has played a crucial role in mitigating sexual exploitation and misogyny within the Hip-hop world. Female rights activists have also facilitated in promoting awareness among women and encouraging independence. According to the two articles, it is evident that low levels of education, and lack of employment opportunities has precipitated women in engaging in sexual favors for money. As a result, a large population of women has penetrated the Hip-hop culture to gain power and fame. It is devastating that some women engage in sexual favors, strip dance, and backstage dance for free. Black men rappers have collaborated with black women in performing videos and songs .
There are various significant outcomes that emerge from sexual exploitation of women, and misogyny. For instance, women have been used as sex objects by rappers leading to adverse health problems. The Hip-hop culture has significantly affected many youth in America leading to school dropouts, unemployment and increased crime rates in the region. As a result of consistent pressure from feminist groups, the Hip-hop world has increased the number of female rappers to counteract male rappers. The article by Ayanna has provided a clear understanding about misogyny and female exploitation. This is because it has provided causes, activities involved, and the effect of Hip-hop culture in a precise manner. This move has facilitated in mitigating the effect of misogyny and sexual exploitation among women. The presence of feminist and other female activist organizations has also helped in improving the situation .
Conclusion
The Hip-hop culture has been of significant effect to the youth in the entire world. The effect of such lifestyle has caused social, economic, and cultural adverse impacts. There are myriad issues that arise as a result of Hip-hop culture. For instance, sexual exploitation among women and misogyny are some of the most gender sensitive issues that call for urgent intervention before it gets worst. The government should, therefore, put an emphasis on the quality of music produced by this musician by implementing regulations and policies. This could also be in concert with social and justice groups that ensure equality and respect of individuals' rights.
Works Cited
Ayanna. "The exploitation of women in Hip-hop culture." My sistahs (2014): 1-3.
Morgan, Joan . When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost: A Hip-Hop Feminest Breaks It Down. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2000.
Russell, Jesse and Ronald Cohn. Misogyny in Hip Hop Culture. New Jersey: Book on Demand, 2012.
Wallace, Michele . Dark Designs and Visual Culture. London: Duke University Press, 2010.
Watkins, Samuel Craig . Hip Hop Matters: Politics, Pop Culture, and the Struggle for the Soul of a Movement. New York: Beacon Press, 2012.
