We were recently checking out a freestyle by Megan Thee Stallion. I asked three of the fellows the following: After viewing the freestyle, what key question would you raise to students? That is, what would you be most interested in learning about their thoughts? Why?
After viewing this freestyle with my class, I would immediately become interested to know their thoughts around rap culture. For example, I may ask why is most rap by women about sex and bashing of men and other women? And why is most rap by men about sex and the bashing of women? Is the excuse that “sex sells” old fashioned? Should there be a shift around what is being discussed in rap music? I think leading the questions in this direction would open the conversation up to an interesting debate. LaMaiya Wright
********************
After viewing Megan Thee Stallion’s Bless the Booth Freestyle, it is common to feel both positive and negative feelings about it. On one hand, Megan is a successful rapper, a college graduate, and transparent with her audiences. On the flip side, some may say she makes people uncomfortable for being so openly sexual and exhibiting her body in ways some find shameful and degrading to women. The point is that everyone has their own opinions about how they receive Megan Thee Stallion and her messages. What most people fail to do is reflect on themselves in relation to their judgements on her – or anyone for that matter. No one that I have encountered has explained what about their own personal life and upbringing produces their views. --Victoria Green
********************Although some students had claimed that Megan was being too ‘overt’ about her sexuality during this freestyle, I found that to be completely not the case. Furthermore, I think there is one entire line that is actually about sex in this freestyle, however, I believe when individuals hear words such as “pussy” and “sexy” they immediately conflate those terms with actions of sex and sexuality, which is unfortunate to say the least. When Megan does mention the word “pussy” she talks about “putting the pussy on a pedestal” as well as “letting the pussy speak,” ultimately stating that this part of her physical anatomy has subjected her to a lack of respect and now she's simply demanding it back.
So why then is it that upon hearing words spoken from Megan such as, “I am in love with my sexy self,” the automatic assumption is that she is a ‘thot’ or ‘hoe’ and not just that she is damn comfortable in her own body, which if I might add, has not been adequately praised or as represented as others? Is it possible for women rappers and listeners of rap to escape the male gaze, which seems to proliferate the discourse and distort the original message? Also, IF Megan did only ever rap about sex and being a “hoe,” why exactly would that be wrong and how does that make her less deserving of credit, respect, and awards? -- Zerri Trosper
Related:
• AALCI 2020
No comments:
Post a Comment