'She was workin’ like foreal’: Critical literacy and discourse practices of African American females in the age of hip hop

In Elaine Richardson’s ‘She was workin’ like foreal’: Critical literacy and discourse practices of African American females in the age of hip hop”, she discusses the manner in which black females are portrayed and depicted in hip hop music videos. The work also includes an interview with another black female, which shares her opinion of the issue. Richardson highlights both the negative and the positive connotations of the black women’s role in music videos. On the one hand, many view these women as seductive and slutty, individuals that are objectified and sexually exploited for male gratification. However, one of the interviewees argued that in some aspects, because the women are capable of doing what they want and deciding if they want to be portrayed in that light, it gives them a sense of sexual domination and authority. In essence, society looks at these women in either one of two ways, as described in Richardson’s article. Black women in hip hop play the roles of either the sexual objectified, loose female, one who is looked down upon with eyes of pity and shame and called a hoe, a slut, or everything but a child of God; or she plays the role of the hypersexual, dominant figure, who’s power comes from sex and is often more admired than the women who is simply called loose. However, Richardson’s interviews bring up the question of who is responsible for these women’s portrayal in the media.

It is not the responsibility of a man to tell a woman not to portray herself as a promiscuous individual. However, it is also not right for that woman or any other woman to be exploited for her sensuality. In essence, Richardson works to ask whether or not the women in videos like Nelly’s Tip Drill and the like are responsible for the manner in which they are portrayed, ABSOLUTELY. However, that does not mean it is acceptable for a male artist, or any other artist, to portray them in that way, especially for monetary progression. I feel that both parties are equally responsible. Granted, these women do not have to choose to be in these videos, nor do the “brothas” that claim they love “their women”, black women; have to choose to exploit them. Black women have been sexually exploited since before our ancestors were enslaved and this exploitation seems to haunt us like a nightmare from which we cannot seem to awake.

As women of Spelman College, we have made a choice to save the world. What better place to begin to change than right here, with ourselves. We cannot simply change the way black women are stigmatized, exploited or objectified from the confines of our classrooms. Though it is very important to dialogue and share thoughts, we must work outside of these walls and act on our thoughts. If we see our sisters or fellow African American women being portrayed in a manner that is unacceptable, it matters not who’s at fault or to blame for this portrayal. What’s important is what we are to do to change and impact this problem. It’s not simply the fault of the women. But the media and producers are to blame as well. EVERYONE is responsible and should be held accountable, even ourselves for not intervening. However, regardless of who’s responsible for creating this problem, it’s our choice o fix it. And as women of integrity, action, servitude and pride, we should start by choosing to save our world.

Taylor Hawkins