Aja Brandt
Blog Post #3
WOM324
)ctober 11 2019
The readings concerning Feminism and Hip Hop we read and discussed were interesting to say the least. In fact more than a few were mindblowing to me. I think it’s best explained with the line from The Crunk Feminist Collective. “Hip Hop Generation Feminism: Feminism All the Way Turned Up” reading where they pose the question “How dare we insist on keeping something that didn’t seem particularly interested in keeping us?”. They’re of course referencing the idea of practicing feminism in the culture of Hip Hop which consists of common themes like sexism and objectification towards women. Originally I was a bit confused and thought along the same lines as her question: how is this possible? I found it somewhat ironic that such contrasting ideologies about women could blend so strongly to create a powerful message. As she began to further explain Crunk Feminism, and what it means to those who practice it, it became so obvious. What better way to express and perform feminism than taking back control and re-imagining, no, re-shaping the meanings of expression in hip hop, both verbally and physically? I love how this was explained through twerking. As if a woman who wants to shake her ass means anything more than she wants to shake her ass. That’s not to say women who twerk can’t dance with the intent to express their desire to appeal sexy. A woman can dance anyway she wants for whatever reason and that’s the point exactly. Twerking and any other form of expression connected to crunk culture shouldn’t automatically equate to a specific message, usually an objectifying one, and Crunk Feminism takes that umbrella assumption and shreds it. To me, it boiled down to a big FUCK YOU, and its brilliantly defiant. In fact every reading followed along these similar lines of defiance against sexism, I mean that is the basis of feminism, but as a woman it made me very proud to be a part of such a badass group of people working as hard as possible to change the ways we’re viewed and respected.
Just, wow.
(Made me think of this iconic VMA moment)
