Will Hip-Hop Ever Reach Its Full Potential? The Worth of Women

Will Hip-Hop Ever Reach Its Full Potential?

The Worth of Women

How will hip hop ever grow to its full potential when the very gender that reproduces our future artists, activists, columnists, producers, and entrepreneurs of our urban community are belittled to almost an object for the testosterone filled modern day rappers? When did the women of our culture become only useful for physical beauty and sexual activity? Why doesn’t Rap music uplift and inspire their female listeners to reach the same level of success males have?
I recall a time when men sang about women in a positive light, highlighting the attributes of their personality, loyalty, strength, and physical appearance. Of course most of this music was beyond my time, being an 80’s baby and all, but I heard my elders playing it and dancing to it. Romance and loyalty weren’t defined as a sense of weakness for a man, and it took those two qualities including sincerity and love to win over that special girl. They encouraged each other to treat their women right and be there for their families.
We have entered a new age where derogatory and sexist remarks, adultery, and irresponsible sexual activity are considered masculine. The influence of multiple partners is on the rise along with the spread of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, teenage pregnancy, and illegitimate children. We are encouraging our community to be unfaithful to their significant others for one night of meaningless passion or an affair that will lead to disaster and heart break.
I must admit, many of our women today do demonstrate such behaviors that the majority of commercial rap artists express in their music. After being raised in a culture that insists they are inferior to men and must use sex appeal to be successful, some become content with the oppressing views and choose to follow the lifestyle they are heavily exposed to. When one is told from an adolescent that physical appearances is the main attraction in modern society, some women become insecure about natural human flaws and lose focus of utilizing their strengths beyond cosmetics. This is why so many young women use seductive methods to impress and attract the opposite sex, lowering their self-worth.
I’m a believer that there are differences between classy and trashy women, but it seems the commercial scene tends to glorify the negative aspects of some women, failing to promote and appreciate the beneficial qualities women contribute to our society. When there is no differentiation between speculations, it causes these male rappers’ perceptions to be generalized, which doesn’t only offend certain female individuals who may or had possessed such negative mannerisms, but it offends all women causing a stall in the progression of our community. Exposing the truth about a negative experience one had with a woman is more than acceptable, as long as we are acknowledging that her behavior was not. In addition to these stories and statements, we should to discuss the positive characteristics of the female gender in an attempt to empower them as contributors to our cause.
In order for Hip-Hop to reach its full potential, we need to utilize all strengths we possess within our culture. Women not only acquire the most important ability to multiply the population of the urban community, thus making us stronger, more stable, diverse and efficient, but are equally capable of achieving many successes men have. Male artists need to encourage women to be more than physical beauty, exotic dancers, and sexual objects, while women need to show their worth by presenting themselves in a more positive and classy manner. When our culture’s misogynist views begin to deteriorate the self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-worth of our women, it continues to reflect on the children who are the next generation of potential positive urban leaders, causing our community to self-destruct.