A Discussion on Jennifer McLune's View on Sexism in Hip-Hop

In her essay “Hip-Hop’s Betrayal of Black Women,” published in Z communications online magazine July 1, 2006, Jennifer McLune informs readers that male hip-hop singers not only dehumanize women, but also makes them invisible. Her essay is in response to Kevin Powell’s opinion in “Notes of a hip-hop head,” “socio-economic” explanation for the sexism in hip-hop, McLune voices her opinion toward hip-hop male singers who disrespect black women in today’s society. Throughout her essay McLune uses only one example to support her essay “Hip-Hop’s Betrayal of Black Women.

” McLune begins her essay with an excerpt from Kevin Powell’s “Notes of a hip-hop head,” which discusses how men objectify women. Those who do not talk ideology of women have to work harder to be noticed. Not many rappers sing about equality and respect between the sexes, Even women singers have turned to these ways of singing to keep themselves from being “targeted, Slandered, and ignored.”

Those who stand up for themselves risk being called ”bitch, a ho— or worse, a dyke.

” McLune states that Powell excuses sexism because of poverty. When in reality any man, rich or poor, can be sexist towards a woman. She then explains that by letting them continue on the way they are going is accepting that black women are victims, As you get deeper into the article you find that not only does McLune feel that there is a war between African American men in hip hop versus women, but also there is a war between the white man in hip hop versus the African American woman.

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Although Jennifer McLune makes valid arguments, her stance is undermined by her focus on only one example of misogynistic practices in the rap game. McLune starts her essay with an excerpt from Kevin Powell‘s “Notes of a Hip Hop Head,“ to assert her point but continues to refer to that and only that as evidence.

Any other examples that she brings up are not nearly as thoroughly explored, so they seem misplaced in the long run Her diction is also very aggressive throughout the piece, making it appear as if she’s trying to attack Powell for his opinions instead of prove that hip hop is riddled with chauvinismi This critique is not to say that her arguments have no basis, it is to just to say that her focus on Powell invalidates her argument. When McLune wrote this excerpt it seems as she was completely angry that not only are black women being bad talked but also affected that some of the artist signing these songs are African American males, She feels betrayed by her own kind She used an informal style but people understood what she simply believed in, Her point was notjust to insult what rappers do and get her anger out but also to make a difference.

She wants to make a change in what lyrics today contain and how it does not have to be bad mouthing black women, Her word choices as in saying the world war appealed to me as if this was a battle going on She did come off as strong but I believe she is committed to making a change in the Hip-Hop world In conclusion, McLune had good arguments against those who dehumanize women through hip hop music Although she did only use one hardcore piece of evidence to support her claim. Her argument implied that men want women to give in to them and accept the fact that they are being degraded, simply so that men can boost up their confidence and masculinity, Overall, her essay demonstrates why women, especially African American women should speak up and out regardless of what the outcome will be.