In “The Introduction to the Second Sex”, Simone de Beauvoir states, “ …she- a free and autonomous being like all human creatures- nevertheless finds herself living in a world where men compel her to assume the status of the other. They propose to stabilize her as object….”
After reading this quote, I began thinking about the music industry’s influence on the role of sexism in today‘s society. Women always talk about overcoming oppression and changing the face of the current sexist society; however, I think we subconsciously contribute to our own oppression especially through listening to certain types of music lyrics. I personally listen to certain genres of music simply because for the beats in that song but I never actually listen to the lyrics. When I do focus on the song‘s content, I realize how objectifying the lyrics are toward women, but women still listen to them.
The music industry is still growing today regardless of the lyrics that are created in songs. I wonder how to go about avoiding this problem which is one of the contributors to the sexism. So I am not sure how women can counteract this problem while enjoying music that explicitly objectifies females. Some would respond by saying that men need to change the lyrics they create to make them less demeaning. However, the other side of the problem is that sometimes these objectifying lyrics are sung by women themselves which other women listen to as well. Women write lyrics that stereotype the image of a female in society today. I still listen to the lyrics and contribute to the marketing of such music. Consequently, women are endorsing the image that is presented through these lyrics.
While I agree that we need to recognize men’s role in society, women are the ones who need to take initiative to eliminate their own oppression. I want to make it clear that I am not trying to entirely blame men for the overall oppression of women. It is more the result of women’s own actions that causes sexism in society today ; as Beauvoir says,” If woman seems to be the inessential which never becomes the essential, it is because she herself fails to bring about this change.”
Therefore, are women contributing to their oppression through listening to lyrics that objectify women and by encouraging male and female artists to continue creating such lyrics? Also, can a significant change be seen in the type of lyrics that are created without losing the essence of certain genres of music?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Manali,
ReplyDeleteI have often wondered how it is that women can enjoy listening and dancing to such objectifying music. Like my recent post, this post concerns the role of gender in pop culture. The combination of the two posts suggests that pop culture is often a primary vehicle for sexism in our society - not really a groundbreaking statement for me to make, but significant nonetheless.
Furthermore, in response to your last question I argue that if the essence of a music genre is lost when you remove objectifying lyrics, then the essence of that music is objectification. In that case, we would be doing a great service by destroying that music's essence.
Thanks for the great post.
I enjoyed your post and I think you make a good point by asking us to question how our consumerism contributes to the oppression of women.
ReplyDeleteWhat I disagree with here is the implication invoked by your last question. I don't think it's fair to assume that an entire genre of music perpetuates objectification of women. Not all artists who make the same style of music choose to write lyrics that are sexist or offensive to women. Instead of lobbying for a change in lyrics or to destroy the entire music genre that sexist songs fit into, wouldn't it be more fruitful and less culturally destructive to simply not support artists that we consider offensive?
I have to agree with Lindsay, but by not supporting artists that we find offensive, there leaves the door open for others to still support them, and here I am thinking of "others" as those that are not sensitive to the issues that we discuss in this class. Like a moth to flame, people will inevitable be attracted to demeaning music out there. It seems like some type of widespread raising of awareness would deter anyone rational from the demeaning music (which is the solution to most of the problems that the early authors advocated to their problems).
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments Cal and Lindsay!
ReplyDeleteLindsay, I didn't think about the implication of my last question so thanks for commenting on it. I agree with both Cal and you in that there are certain artists that we find offensive not the entire genre. What I was trying to ask is what we can do about demeaning artists even if some listen to them just for the beats. In response to my question, Colin's comment helps me understand that by not supporting the demeaning artists we are not losing anything because the essence of such music whether it be their beats or lyrics is offensive.
Music can define a generation. Unfortunately, some of this generation's music is awful, namely most rap songs. I have seen how some women react to certain rap songs, for instance, a song entitled, "I like Dem Girlz" in the clean version and "I like Dem Hoes" in the original version. This song says "It's some hoes in this house, if you see them point them out," and it still amazes me how many females will laugh and point at each other and themselves. Another song is a song entitled "This Bitch, That Hoe" And i have seen girls get up and yell "that is my song." However, if a guy approaches them and calls them a bitch or a hoe, world war III breaks loose. If you don't want to be treated that way, then don't answer to it. So yes i do think women play a part in their own treatment.
ReplyDelete