As we come to the end of the “Hip Hop Feminism” section in our semester, I’ve most definitely found myself with a new expansion of perspectives and understandings regarding the cruciality of feminist hip hop and its close connection to the culture as a whole. Through the analyzation of women’s position among hip hop, we’re able to recognize the perpetuating issues of gender oppression that are clearly presented.

One of the biggest struggles I had with this section pertains to the double standard of qualifications required to be deemed successful within hip hop. Men are judged solely on their skill and performance ability while women are met with criticism from the male perspective.

I’d like to also mention Joan Morgan and her discussions pertaining to claiming one’s sexuality and body through performance and the means of self-expression. These actions create a new ideal of female identity and emphasize the concept of emotional complexity that all women encompass.

 As women perform self-expression we’re met a multitude of new perspectives coming directly from women and the reality of their own narratives “…they develop the determination to participate and represent themselves within and against patriarchal ideologies and social contexts” (Morgan,135). In this excerpt from “(Ph)eminists of the New School,” Morgan expresses the hardships that women experience as they maneuver through this male-dominated culture. The continuation of sexism and misogyny that runs rampant within hip hop culture, unfortunately, creates a disconnect between the actual art and skill presented by women and the patriarchal ideologies that devalue their efforts to obtain and maintain space. Overall I really enjoyed analyzing the works of these feminist scholars who’ve shed light on the discourse of gender oppression and the representation (or lack thereof) women within the hip hop culture.