A Feminist Perspective: From A Male by Daniel

Joan Morgan captured the aspect of misogyny from hip-hop artists in a compelling way. When she explained about her semi-abusive relationship with her boyfriend of many years, I felt how she might have been feeling. I felt this way because I caught myself doing the same things that he was. Not that I just outrageously or belligerently disrespected my girlfriend, I unconsciously say things that I do not mean, but not meaning them how they are said. What I am explaining is that the words I say like, "well I guess you're just being a punk" or "shut up cry baby" when she is upset when I've done something is harsh, but I don't mean it how it sounds. I understand how women feel when they say that men have no emotions towards "little things," however; I just don't understand how most of these "things" are relevant. Ms. Morgan also hit topics such as how men see women as just sex tools. This statement is true; nevertheless, there is a vast majority of men in every race (not just black) that degrade women on television and in real life situations. Myself, I do not fall into the category of chauvinism because of the love I have for all women. These rappers that are up and coming and in the industry now are all into the misogynistic approach to rap. The reasons are because of how the women that are behind the scenes with the rappers act. What I mean is that most of these girls that are doing this are young in age, and out to get some money from rappers. Rapper Guru of Gang Starr said it best when he wrote "A yo fellas you gotta be careful today / Watch out for games that these females play / cause some break the rules and some don't play fair / You might get caught out there / If you're not aware" - Games (The Big Picture - 2000) written by Big L & Guru. The realization of this has given rappers opportunity to place women in the "bitch, ho" category. Being a rapper and a producer also, I do not see how I should position my style to fit the mainstream audience's favorable characteristics. It seems that now if a person wants to sell any units in the rap industry, said person would have make a record that has some formal correlation of misogyny in the music or it will not sell. A very few of the elite, platinum rappers, such as Jay-Z, Eminem, Lil' Flip, or even Nas cannot say that they have not written a song that has not fell into this category. However, artists such as Common, Mos Def & Talib Kweli, and Jurassic 5 have not been given all the praises from the mainstream because of their afro-centric lyrics that do not condone the actions of their constituents. Because of this these rappers have not received their statuses as "great emcees." While I object to the commercialism that rap has seen over the past ten years, one the most influential emcees that I highly respect is a semi-misogynist. Nas's material has a base of greatness that hits me with inspiration. I believe that his feelings towards women come from the way he was treated by them while coming up. However, there is no excuse for his words, but he tells of how young women in life are exploited, "A young wild beautiful love child / You like them thug style/ link rockin / then mink coppin / Hit you on the sink a hundred dollar / drink poppin / The head'll make him take you shoppin' / a foul doctrine" - Black Girl Lost (It Was Written - 1996) written by Nas & Jojo Hailey. I understand how Ms. Morgan believes that men do not respect women, but some women destroy the mentality of men when they do most of these extreme actions. I believe some women are rebellious, but the vast majorities are respectable. Joan Morgan has a profound respect for her female counterparts, knowing their flaws, and maintains her feminist state of mind. I believe in her words and people should take heed to them. Nevertheless, I still believe that famous quote by Cee-Lo Green "Well I say/ you're my, beginning my end / You're my sista lover and friend/ God is your light from within / It shines through your beautiful skin / What they say bout you ain't true / There's no me if there is no you / I hope that you understand / you got to respect yourself before I can" - Beautiful Skin (Still Standing - 1998) written by Goodie Mob.