Feminism in Music

əˌnzəm/ PronunciatioDEFINITION:

Feminism fem·i·nism - Show Spelled Pronunciation[fem-uh-niz-uhm] –noun: 1. the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men; 2. (sometimes initial capital letter) an organized movement for the attainment of such rights for women; 3. feminine character. (dictionary.reference.com)

CONNOTATION:
Feminism: "In my heart, I think a woman has two choices: Either she's a feminist or a masochist." (Gloria Steinam). The social and political movement encouraging equal rights for women at the expense and questioning of social norms. Once called "bra-burners," they are 'perceived as simply anti-family, anti-marriage, anti-children, and perhaps even anti-religion, not to mention anti-men.' (www.friesian.com)

Throughout the 1960's and 1970's, female singer-songwriters campaigned for women's rights. They wrote about women's equality and redefining social stereotypes. It was a time for women to go to college to begin a career, not just a family. To be a woman was not to be a victim, it was to be a strong member of society -- just as strong as a man. They paved the way for the women of the following generations, including mine. They struggled to climb the ranks in the work force, and faced discrimination constantly.

Women of today's generation no longer face the same sort of outright discrimination. We have the equal ability to gain an education, we have the equal ability to apply for any job we want, we have the choice not to get married right away or ever, we have the choice to bear and raise a child alone; the women of the '60s and '70s earned women of succeeding generations the opportunity to gain respect. Previous stereotypes were shattered and we are on the eve of the first presidential election that could elect a female president. It is a new day for women.

Or is it? Take a look at popular music trends and you might find an entirely different world. One of women portrayed as sex objects, called "bitches" and "hoes". Women can be bought with expensive jewelry, souped up cars, and famous names -- at least that's what rappers like Nelly say. As much as the women of the '60s and '70s influenced today's generation, what kind of influence is this music having on the generations of tomorrow?

I believe feminists do still exist in contemporary society. The feminist of the 21st century is much different that that of the 20th, but it remains, nevertheless. As Wendy McElroy of ifeminists.com states, 'she is the estimated 17 million women who control their own self-defense by owning guns; the mothers of children who are schooled at home; the stay-at-home moms who sacrifice careers to pursue more personal values; the entrepreneurs and career women who rise through merit and reject the concept of "victim."' Moreover, it could be anyone -- male or female -- that believes women and men deserve equality in the eyes of the law and society.

It's hard to say if these are the type of women that can lead the next generation by simply acting through example. Should they not be just as outraged at the way rappers speak about women as the way the Rutger's basketball team was at Don Imus? How has the word "ho [whore]" or "slut" become popular vernacular? Women use them with each other almost as often as popular music male artists use about them.

Some women make the argument that, much the way black people use the "n" word in music lyrics, women use the words "ho" and "slut" as a form of empowerment. Using it about yourself or your people is different that using it against others. The former is empowerment, the latter is discrimination and degradation. On getcrafty.com, Kate Taylor the UK's newpaper, The Guardian, editorializes that what might seem "raunchy" to some is merely "fashion" to today's women. Women spend time in the gym, wear Playboy t-shirts, and use their sexuality because they are "rediscovering" their bodies.

By all means, I agree with Taylor in the sense that the world has changed. The reason today's women and feminists don't care to put up a public fight is because they are not directly affected by the struggles that women of earlier decades were. They can "work, they can vote, they can bonk on the first date". However, I will say that I completely disagree when she says that women of raunchy-almost-soft-core-porn music videos are liberated and proud of their bodies.

Rather, I agree with the nemesis of her argument, Ariel Levy of The New Yorker. She believes that women are debasing their sexuality. By participating and going along with disgusting, degrading, embarassing activities such as these, they send the message that women today are okay with being treated as sex objects. We deserve more. We deserve better role models for children. By acting like strippers or porn actresses, you show young girls that this is an acceptable way to act; but moreover, an established expectation of successful, attractive men. It is simply demeaning. Women can own their sexuality without selling it.

Feminism has changed. Women and men can be considered feminists if they act in a manner reflecting respect for women's equality and sexuality. Music videos do NOT showcase feminists, they exploit women with low self-esteem. It's clear that we need more role models in the industry not afraid to write music and speak publicly about respect and equality for women if we want to maintain the standards set so high for us by previous generations of women.

As Betty Friedan said, "Man is not the enemy here, but the fellow victim. Men are not the enemy, but the fellow victims. The real enemy is women's denigration of themselves."