GWSS #2

Raia X

I found this week's discussion on hip-hop feminism to be extremely thought provoking. The discussion my breakout group and I had with Professor Habell-Pallán allowed me to have a deeper understanding on why conversations such as these are so crucial to have as we, as a society, works towards women's liberation and normalizing all forms of gender expression.

The Wiki article on Hip-Hop feminism argues that this classification is a separate entity from the women's liberation movement which was a "mostly white movement and was more interested in advancing women's rights than civil rights." The opportunity that the emergence of Hip-Hop feminism created for black women and the intersectional identities of race, class, and gender, created a platform for women to artistically represent their experiences in an activist sense. This is groundbreaking to me, and reminds me of modern controversies within the Women's March organizers, who faced backlash for portraying a notion of white feminism that is exclusive to a single narrative of being a women.

My DJ selection for this argument is Lizzo's famous "Good as Hell." Her lyrics embracing body positivity and the hyper sexualization of women as a Black artist, who has recently taken the world by storm, is a perfect example of an anthem that gives into intersectionality. Lizzo has spoken in past interviews about different waves of feminism and the current generation's attitude of being "overtly sexual and in your face" (https://www.npr.org/2019/07/04/738474527/lizzo-on-feminism-self-love-and-bringing-hallelujah-moments-to-stage).

https://youtu.be/vuq-VAiW9kw

The Stranger's article on the development of the Seattle rap scene, and referencing ways it got there, made me think about the ongoing development of music and how genres intertwine. This took me back to our discussions at the beginning of the quarter when we were being introduced to course themes. Referencing Nicki Minaj's Anaconda as a "song about butts" goes to show how far the music and body liberation and positivity scenes have grown to become. I was confused at first, wondering if artists are using their platforms to now spread messages and movements such as these. However, after reevaluating Tuesday's in class discussion and thinking about the contexts of this week's readings, I realized that platforms are created when artists dedicate their expression towards referencing the unspoken. 

My DJ selection is of course, Beyonce's Flawless. Beyonce combines liberation, motherhood, independence, and more in her award-winning and eye-opening song. This song is one of many of her anthems that scream hip-hop feminism for taking, head on, pleasure, sex, love, and unfair expectations.

https://youtu.be/IyuUWOnS9BY