Okay, this post had to be done a little earlier for two reasons. One, I just finished listening to The Ecstatic while studying for my Hip Hop Culture Class. Two, because I just finished reading a paper about a topic that has always made me reflect on myself and the state of the world, that is, misogyny and homophobia in hip hop.
I have to start by saying that I love Mos Def. He is and will forever be one of my favorite emcees. I think this album is his best since Black on Both Sides, maybe even better than that one. But for all the good that Mos talks of in his songs, there are some things that, as I've explained to many of my friends, truly depress me. His stance on homosexuality is one of them. Lyrics such as:
"Cats who claimin' they hard be mad fag/ so I run through 'em like flood water through sandbags"
-Re-Definition, off of "Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star"
He aint the only one. Eminem (another emcee that I completely admire for his skill) has made a career as one of the most gifted lyricists through his excessive use of the word "fag." 50 Cent had this to say in an interview with Playboy:
"I ain't into faggots. I don't like gay people around me, because I'm not comfortable with what their thoughts are. It's OK to write that I'm prejudiced. This is as honest as I could possibly be with you…But women who like women, that's cool."
Sigh...it saddens me. I'll give it to Kanye, who openly brings the question of homosexuality and hip hop to the forefront. Other rappers blatantly ignore it. When emcees Busta Rhymes, Mos Def, an Talib Kweli were confronted with the question of homosexuality in the documentary "Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes," Busta Rhymes said
"I can't partake in that conversation. That homo shit? I can't talk to you about that. I ain't trying to offend nobody, but what I represent culturally doesn't condone it."
I get it. Your religion doesn't approve of homosexuality. It's part of who you are. I get that. But Christianity (I'm sure Busta is Muslim, but for the sake of argument) disapproved of mixing different fabrics together. So all those Christians out there who are wearing 60% polyester and 40% cotton, you are blatantly sinning. Women who were menstruating had to leave their homes for a week straight. Race mixing was also thought of as sinful as late as this past century. And don't say I don't know the Bible. I've read it 3 times, front to back.
In this sense, at least Talib confronted the question. Mos and Busta left the studio almost immediately. So mad love to Talib. His name is truly in the middle of equality.
Let's not forget our women. I don't think I really have to say it, but hip hop has become an arena where we openly degrade our women. Bitches and hos are the norm. We praise a woman for being light-skinned and dog them for having "nappy" hair. Women lose any sense of identity in our culture, being referred to by asses and tits. Now, some emcees do this more often than others. In this sense, Mos is progressive with such songs as "Brown Skinned Lady." But it's come to a point where I can't ignore it. I've heard too many beautiful women openly say they didn't feel beautiful. Well, that's bullshit. All women are beautiful. Doesn't matter what shape, size, or color, I'm here to tell you that you are beautiful. It is in your so called imperfections that you stand out. Fuck it. We can be perfectly imperfect together.
I want to make it clear that hip hop is NOT the only perpetrator, nor does it create the conditions for these biases to reproduce. No, hip hop is only merely a reflection of this American hyper-masculinity. We idolize the strong, unyielding man who shows no emotion. Vulnerability is despised and we refuse to seek assistance. As a result, homosexuals, lesbians and women are thought of as weak if they don't conform to this white, heterosexual male standard. As a result, even men suffer.
Look, I'm not saying that men should cry at every sunset, we are all homosexuals, and we should bow to everything that women want. I'm not even saying that I'm exempt of this criticism, cause I'm not. I'm also guilty of homophobia, misogyny, and even racism. What I'm saying is that by portraying men and women in these limiting terms, in an "us vs. them" dichotomy, we are neglecting that which makes the world and our species so diverse. I am a man, but I am more than a man as well. We are humans, and that encompasses all aspects of being human.
Vulnerability is not this guy although it can be.
I don't mean to be preachy. It's just something that I've always thought was important to discuss. Anytime I try to have this discussion with many of my male friends, I almost immediately get called a pussy, fag, bitch, homo, etc. I get accused of homosexuality as if it were something negative. Fuck it. Call me gay. I rather be gay than ignorant. I rather be compared to a female than to be insensitive. I know who I am. Maybe it's time we all took a look in the mirror. Like Dr. King said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
Anyhow, nothing but love to all the children of the world. I hope you can feel me on this.
Peace, bruthas and sistas.
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