Jaylynn Lyons
In the reading, “The Stage Hip-Hop Feminism Built: A New Directions Essay,” I specifically loved how powerful and engaging the concepts were. Hip hop feminism (black feminism) highlights that “personal is political” (Wikipedia) because of race, class, gender, and sexuality that determines how individuals are treated. I am passionate about the notion of women empowering women which correlates with hip-hop feminism and their actions of using their music to make statements.
Particularly, I found the idea of Afrofuturism to be captivating and a direct connection with hip-hop feminism and their goals to express their truth. Joan Morgan, an American author and journalist, believes “…truth can’t be found in the voice of anyone rapper but the juxtaposition of many” (Wikipedia). Afrofuturism is described as a black perspective on the “histories of people of color and visions of the future with people of color at the center while simultaneously critiquing dominant systems of power and subjugation” (Durham, 733). I believe that many artists are activists through their music.
In the Q & A, “Still Fighting the Power,” Jeff Chang says, “I think hip hop tells the hidden story of the latter part of the twentieth century and the beginning of this century… and, by extension, what has happened in and amongst youth all around the world.” Furthermore, he goes on to use Hamada Ben Amor as an example of someone who used their music to “protest against the regime.” Through his music, Hamada was able to give the audience “a sense of an uprising in ideas that translated into this physical commitment that overturned the regime — then led a domino effect across the Arab world.”
A popular band U2 is very known for their political contributions in their music. In one of their newer songs, “Get Out of Your Own Way,” they are criticizing racism in the United States and taking a stance through their lyrics. The song was performed at the Grammy’s in 2018 which was claimed to be a pretty political night. The song was indirectly poking at Donald Trump and there were also other performers who expressed their political concerns through their music including Kesha who performed “Praying” as a powerful celebration of women’s solidarity.
U2 “Get Out of Your Own Way”
“Praying”
References:
Aisha Durham, Brittney C. Cooper, and Susana M. Morris, “The Stage Hip-Hop Feminism Built: A New Directions Essay,” Signs, Vol. 38, No. 3 (Spring 2013) (PDF)
Bill Moyers Show interview, Theresa Riley with Jeff Chang, Q & A: Still Fighting the Power (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
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