Everyday we seem to see more and more evidence that we live in a society that accepts certain ideas about women, girls, sexuality, power and well, rape. We still have concepts such as "legitimate rape," "slut shaming," blaming a woman for where she was at a certain time of day or night, or maybe what she was wearing as the cause for another person assaulting her. In 2013, we as a society are still needing to have discussions about what is real rape. It is deeply disturbing. To add to this distressingly slow train to the land of civilized humanity, we are also inundated with popular culture including some music that reflects the rape culture that is being so prevalenly discussed in the media these days. (Again, the train moves slowly, but at least it is moving, I guess.)
My immediate case in point is a rap song in which rap artist Rick Ross is featured on a song by Rocko, in which he celebrates giving a woman some kind of date rape drug in her champagne "she didn't even know," dragging her off to his place, "enjoying that," all while "she didn't even know." I don't think that I have adequate words to express how reprehensible this is! I'll just share my questions.
For one thing, how on earth did this man think that this is a good idea in life?? Is this your idea of a good time Mr. Ross, raping a woman on the DL, so she can't prosecute you? How is it that you thought it is a good idea to make a song about it???!!! You don't want her to know, but you DO want your boys to know??!! Do you have NO respect for women AT ALL???!!! Did it occur to you the impact this assault would have on this woman, and how you might devastate her ability to trust any other man for the rest of her life? Do you have NO sense of community responsibility to young people listening to your "music," who might think this is acceptable behavior and therefore emulate your lyrics? How did DefJam records think that it is an acceptable message to send out into the world on their label, as a representation of their company?
Am I just hip hop bashing? NO. Be responsible and don't promote violence and rape, PERIOD.
I'm thinking that it is only a matter of time before some artists gets sued by a victim or victim's family for influencing a crime that has been committed according to their "instructions." I'm thinking that it is only a matter of time before a perpetrator on trial for a crime is going to point to an artist and his/her song lyrics as the reason for that crime. I'm thinking that said hot mess is going to be an episode on Law&Order in one of their "ripped from the headlines" story lines. I'm thinking the accused artist will be shocked and dismayed that somone would actually think that he or she should be held accountable for their lyrical content.
If this song, in any way, to anyone, seems like a good idea or "harmless," I can only give you a train schedule and ask you to please proceed to the line that boards the train to the land of civilized humanity.
Meantime, here is a video response by hip hop activist Rosa Clemente to this atrocity called a record.
My immediate case in point is a rap song in which rap artist Rick Ross is featured on a song by Rocko, in which he celebrates giving a woman some kind of date rape drug in her champagne "she didn't even know," dragging her off to his place, "enjoying that," all while "she didn't even know." I don't think that I have adequate words to express how reprehensible this is! I'll just share my questions.
For one thing, how on earth did this man think that this is a good idea in life?? Is this your idea of a good time Mr. Ross, raping a woman on the DL, so she can't prosecute you? How is it that you thought it is a good idea to make a song about it???!!! You don't want her to know, but you DO want your boys to know??!! Do you have NO respect for women AT ALL???!!! Did it occur to you the impact this assault would have on this woman, and how you might devastate her ability to trust any other man for the rest of her life? Do you have NO sense of community responsibility to young people listening to your "music," who might think this is acceptable behavior and therefore emulate your lyrics? How did DefJam records think that it is an acceptable message to send out into the world on their label, as a representation of their company?
Am I just hip hop bashing? NO. Be responsible and don't promote violence and rape, PERIOD.
I'm thinking that it is only a matter of time before some artists gets sued by a victim or victim's family for influencing a crime that has been committed according to their "instructions." I'm thinking that it is only a matter of time before a perpetrator on trial for a crime is going to point to an artist and his/her song lyrics as the reason for that crime. I'm thinking that said hot mess is going to be an episode on Law&Order in one of their "ripped from the headlines" story lines. I'm thinking the accused artist will be shocked and dismayed that somone would actually think that he or she should be held accountable for their lyrical content.
If this song, in any way, to anyone, seems like a good idea or "harmless," I can only give you a train schedule and ask you to please proceed to the line that boards the train to the land of civilized humanity.
Meantime, here is a video response by hip hop activist Rosa Clemente to this atrocity called a record.
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