Student: how do you reconcile feminism with misogynistic rap?
She suggests that feminists simply interpret lyrics referring to "bitches and hoes" as referring to men.
Bush, a columnist for The Shorthorn, UT Arlington's student paper, has a number of suggestions as to how feminists can enjoy misogynistic rap.
“How does a feminist reconcile his or her belief in gender equality with an unjustifiable love of oft-misogynistic rap music?” This was the question UT Arlington student columnist Lita Bush set out to answer in her latest column for the university newspaper, The Shorthorn.
“The good news,” Bush writes, “it’s possible to do without giving up rap entirely.”
How might a feminist accomplish this? Bush goes on to give “tips for guilt-free rap appreciation.”
One way a feminist can appreciate rap music is by treating any misogynist lyrics as if they were gender neutral. That is, feminists can appreciate a misogynist song if both genders are presumed to be the target of any offensive language.
“Men can be bitches and hoes. Easily,” Bush explains.
Bush’s next tip: treat rappers like babies.
“Realize that male rappers who rap about violence against women are really just baby boys expressing their deep-seated mommy issues through misdirected anger toward all women.”
Bush’s last tip is to treat misogynist lyrics as though they actually appreciative of women.
“Realize that rappers who objectify women are simply expressing their appreciation for the female form through the only means they know how: crass, yet somehow generic analogies comparing female anatomy to cars or baked goods.”
If none of these tips seems to work, Bush suggests that her readers “[s]eek out rap that isn’t misogynistic.”
Bush goes on to offer the rapper Common as an example of rap that isn’t misogynistic.
“Feminism is about doing whatever is right for you and not being limited by your gender,” she concludes.
Follow the author of this article on Twitter: @peterjhasson
