Editor's Note: This is the second part of a four-part series on misogyny in music. Future stories will address music videos and young people's views on these issues.
By Dana Williams | Staff Writer, Tolerance.org
Aug. 12, 2003 -- What do the Rolling Stones, Kid Rock and Snoop Dog have in common?
They all have capitalized on blatantly misogynistic lyrics, making the objectification of women as much a part of their acts as electric guitars or heavy bass.
Misogyny has long been a part of the music world. The Rolling Stones, were selling misogyny well before hip hop and rap burst onto the scene, with tracks like "Under My Thumb," an ode to male domination and female submission.
But while the Rolling Stones celebrates its classic rock 'n' roll status, hip hop and rap become the whipping boys of the music industry. Snoop Dog and his cohorts bear the brunt of criticism levied by everyone from senators to watchdog groups and from parents to conservative talk show hosts.
Some say racism is clearly to blame for mainstream society's selective hearing problem.
The public seems far more disturbed by misogynistic lyrics in the music of rap and hip hop artists who are largely black than similar lyrics in rock music, perceived by most as a white genre, says Cynthia Fuchs, an associate professor at George Mason University.
"The flamboyance of rock is understood as performance, rather than from the perspective of personal feelings," said Fuchs, who teaches courses in film and media studies, African American studies and cultural studies. "These guys are seen as innocuous. They appear to be players in the fence of accumulating women in skimpy costumes, but they aren't necessarily seen as violent."
Hip hop and rap artists are viewed through a different lens.
"The mainstream takes it (hip hop and rap) to represent real-life, so it's seen as more threatening than some of the angry, whiney white boy rock, even though the same messages and images are portrayed," Fuchs said.
Consider the lyrics of Kid Rock, whose piercing blend of hard rock, metal and misogyny has sold millions of records:
Now if you like the booty come on fellas show it
This is your last verse to wax so why would you blowit
And if the ladies if you are tired of a man on your fanny
Then f--- you go home and watch the tube with granny
…Just look at all the girls that are dying to get some
Man, just don't be a wussy
And I'll guarantee you could get a piece of p----
'Impact is Huge'
If the Woodstock rapes of 1999 are any indication, lyrics like these are anything but innocuous. The combination of "angry, whiney white boy rock" performances laced with women-hating lyrics and an audience drunk with testosterone created an atmosphere ripe for mob rule and public sexual assaults against female festival-goers — something yet to be reported on such a large scale at a rap or hip hop concert.
"The impact is huge," says Ann Savage, associate professor of telecommunications at Butler University. "It's the repetitiveness of the messages, the repetitiveness of the attitudes, and it builds on people."
Savage, who for several years has taught a course exploring "Women and Rock" at Butler University, says the most recent Woodstock Festival is an example of those repetitive messages feeding and building on an audience.
"People say rap is dangerous. Yes, rap music does have misogyny, but there has always been an objectification and misogyny against women in music," said Savage. "Yet we focus on the black artists, not the rockers and not even the white executives who are making the big money from this kind of music."
Savage says the race-based double standard applies to violent content in music as well. "There was the Eric Clapton remake of Marley's 'I Shot the Sheriff,' and there was little to be said. But then you have the 'Cop Killer' song by Ice-T and it's dangerous and threatening."
Race isn't the only double standard present in the music industry. Gender, too is at play, Savage said, referencing Madonna's "What it Feels Like for a Girl" video.
"She does some pretty violent things towards men in that video, and it was banned on MTV, but every day we see constant images in videos containing violence and misogyny against women."
Help from the Third Wave
No matter the color or genre of a music artist, many believe any kind of misogyny should be taken seriously.
Groups like the Third Wave Foundation, which empowers young women to get involved in social activism, are providing resources to help girls go beyond just listening to the sexist messages about them.
Third Wave Foundation's public information campaign, "I Spy Sexism" issues this call to young women everywhere: "Dust off your spectacles, binoculars, or magnifying glass; it's time to lend your 20/20 to the fight against sexism, racism, and homophobia in your community."
Kalpana Krishnamurthy, the Foundation's co-director, says the "I Spy Sexism" campaign helps young women take power in addressing music, movies and other products they find offensive.
"It lets them know the best tools for expressing their frustration about sexist images in pop culture," said Krishnamurthy. "We want them to open their eyes, because that is the first step to bringing about change."
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