Hip-hop forum comes to Multicultural Resource Center

The event will discuss whether rap lyrics are misogynistic or not

By Jessica Wicks

Published on Tue., March 11th, 2008

Skanks, bitches and big-booty hos. The creative validity of these words in hip-hop lyrics will become an object of contention tonight during a panel discussion that is part of Women’s History Month. The event will address whether ethnic women should fight against these terms used in popular music.

Adrianne Nunez, Lawrence senior, said she thinks it is a woman’s responsibility to not to allow others to talk about them that way.

“The labels are bad, but you don’t see women fighting it either,” Nunez said.

Maxwell Hinman, Wichita sophomore, said the songs can have a positive effect on women.

“I think that songs like ‘I like big butts’ has actually done a lot for women.” Maxwell Hinman, Wichita sophomore, said.

He said the stick-figure image of beauty changed after that song.

“Now women with figures like Beyonce are considered beautiful, when before people didn’t see those women as attractive,” Hinman said.

Kathy Rose-Mockery, director of the Emily Taylor Women’s Resource Center, said women have made progress, but they still have a ways to go before gender is not the primary focus.

“We need to critically look at the images in the media and what they say about the value of women in society,” Rose-Mockery said.

Jonathan Robinson, Oklahoma City sophomore, said he sees rap in some of the poems in his poetry class.

“A word can mean one thing, but have the facade of something else,” Robinson said.

Ashley Sanders, Kansas City, Kan., junior, said, “Sometimes a rapper will say this is my bitch, but they mean this is my woman. My main girl.”

Robinson said that some hidden lyrics can be worse than what they sound, like in Soulja Boy’s “Superman.”

“It’s a two-way street,” Robinson said. “Songs can be degrading in any style.”

Robinson said people should judge songs instead of labeling genres.

Hinman said that when he listens to rap and hip-hop he enjoys the more old-school rap.

“It is more explicit. It will come right out and say bad things, but it doesn’t hide anything,” Hinman said.

Jasmine Turner, Kansas City, Kan. freshman, said Hip-Hop is like a business.

“It is always adjusting to what people want to hear,” she said. “It is not always, good, but it is necessary.”

To become famous, you have to push boundaries, Jonathan Robinson, Oklahoma City sophomore, said.

“You have to be on the edge to set yourself apart and get people’s attention,” Robinson said.

Nunez said that women have the responsibility to be careful about where they place themselves in this industry.

“It is getting better,” Nunez said. “Some women in hip-hop are making women look strong, and that is good, but they still have a long way to go.”

—Edited by Nick Mangiaracina

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