Feminism in Music Essay - 2168 Words

When one hears the word â€Å"feminist†, many different things may come to mind. One may think of the â€Å"bra burning† feminists of the 1960s or the â€Å"riot grrrl† feminists of the 1990s. It can bring to mind issues such as abortion, birth control, and unfair wages. There are many different aspects of feminism, some of which are understood only by those involved in the movement. But like most things people are passionate about, feminism has held a strong place in music since its very beginning, and can be seen in its festivals, its politics, and in the average American’s everyday life. The textbook definition of feminism is â€Å"a doctrine that advocates equal rights for women† (WordNet, 2010). While this is correct, there is much more to it than that.†¦show more content†¦While the second wave seemed centered on the rights of upper middle class white women, the third wave embraced women of all races, classes, and cultures. Many more specialized types of feminism arose from this wave, such as ecofeminism, which combines environmentalism and feminism, and womanism, which is aimed toward the rights of women of color. While the third wave has ended, there are still many active feminist movements happening today. Although there had been female artists long before, feminist music did not really come to be until the early 1970s. One of the best known feminist songs of this era is I am Woman by Helen Reddy. Released in 1972, it eventually became the anthem of the womens liberation movement. Michelle Arrow described it as the lightbulb moment, the instant a new set of possibilities -- womens liberation -- became visible (Arrow, 2007). Reddy herself also said of the song, Its not just for women...Its a general empowerment song about feeling good about yourself, believing in yourself (I Am Woman, 2010). Also during this time, the first womens record label, Olivia Records, was formed. They put out their first record in 1973, featuring Meg Christian on one side and Cris Williamson on the other, and earned $12,000 for it (Olivia, 2010). Eventually the label stopped putting out new records, but instead held 15th anniversary concerts in the late 1980s. Their concerts at CarnegieShow MoreRelatedFeminism Of Hip Hop And Rap Music1504 Words   |  7 Pages Introduction: Hip Hop or Rap music is often related to themes of misogyny and objectification towards women (Weitzer and Kubrin 2009 ; Gourdine and Lemmons 2011). Ruby M. Gourdine and Brianna P. Lemmons specifically state that misogynistic themes began to gain prominence in the genre during the late 1980s. I would suggest that the prevalence of objectification and misogyny in hip hop could pose a threat to a positive self image for females, exposed to this form of media. What is objectificationRead MoreBlack Feminism s Speech At The Ohio Women s Rights Convention Essay1442 Words   |  6 Pagesfeminist everywhere can follow behind. Feminism is simply the advocacy of equality of sexes social, political, and economic, but until this can happen you have to address race and class oppression among other inequalities. This is the reason why the idea of black feminism was introduced. Coined by Kimberlà © Crenshaw in 1989, black feminism argues that the experience of being a black woman cannot be understood in terms of being black or of being a woman. Black feminism became popular in the 1960s, in responseRead MoreThe Pop Star Of Hip Hop Sensation1150 Words   |  5 Pagesbetween their music videos, interviews and lyrics and feminism. Feminism is a political and social movement. Feminism is about changing the way and has always fought to make sure that people see male and female rights and campaigning for equality. It’s giving woman a better quality of life, the right to speak, choose, vote and love whomever we want. Back in the days woman were treated as like a property and everything that feminists did laid base work for what we have now. Feminism is diverse, non-linearRead MoreFeminism And The Feminist Movement924 Words   |  4 Pagesoverall theme of Feminism and the impact that women in popular music have through music. A feminist supports the ideals for equal rights for women. They share a common goal to achieve equal political, economic, personal, social and cultural rights. The women music genre emerged during the second-wave feminist movement. Women artists have taken to the music industry to express the idea of women rights through a feminist movement. This playlist includes eight songs from toda y’s popular music, each artist’sRead MoreMusic Is A Big Part Of My Life1075 Words   |  5 PagesMusic is a big part of my life. There is rarely a day I do not listen to it. Whether I am driving in my car or working out at the gym. I started really paying attention to music when I was younger and took dance classes. I took Jazz, Ballet, and Hip Hop. Each style of dance had dramatically different type of music. I always loved how with music there is so many different layers. One song might mean something to someone and then it could mean something completely different to someone else. When watchingRead MoreFeminism Is Characterized As Being An Advocate For The1708 Words   |  7 PagesFeminism is characterized as being an advocate for the equality of women’s rights. Radical feminism is the viewing of equal treatment in society, giving women the right of autonomy because that s a basic human right. The accomplishment of radical feminism is to change peopleâ€⠄¢s mind and how people think of women. Using music as new form of feminism and incorporating the historical events to help express the same ideas through the lyrics. Feminism has taken on a new form today and used to attractRead MoreEspecially When There Is An Uncertainty About Men Supporting1156 Words   |  5 Pages Especially when there is an uncertainty about men supporting black women, large groups of black men who degrade black women every chance they get. Again, it is very difficult to ask black women to refrain from supporting feminism when there seems to be an internal struggle among black men and black women. Dr. Umar Johnson feels that black women are afraid of being venerable, and black women are afraid to admit that they need black men. Dr. Umar Johnson essentially is removing the liability fromRead MoreThe Live Performance Of Dolly Partons Just Because I m A Woman1446 Words   |  6 Pagesshift from traditional to more modern country music. Modern artist Carrie Underwood shows a significant shift from traditional to modern country music in her 2005 song, â€Å"Before He Cheats.† Although there is not complete feminism inserted into her song, being a liberated woman is feminist. For example, Underwood reaps the benefits of the sexual revolution and the feminist movement without her music being feminist. This change in modern country music causes the lyric content, sound, stage performanceRead MoreThe Rap Artist Nicki Minaj Released The Platinum Hit Single Titled Anaconda 1533 Words   |  7 PagesMinaj’s song. It then discloses how each of these aspects intersects to produce a culturally momentous relic in modern music. Through the examination of many theories and external sources it was possible to gain insight on the social constructions of the â€Å"fat body†, the commodification and consumption of racial others and the discursive structures of white patriarchy. This music video is revealed as a point of intersection illuminating knowledge of empowerment endorsed by the female icon. This songRead MoreThe Effect of Hip-Hop on Female AAE Speakers Essay1044 Words   |  5 Pagesand 70s, women’s bodies have been sexually objectified through this music. Although the impact of the sexualization of women’s bodies in hip-hop songs is still very prevalent, the effect of this in recent years has decreased because of a learned linguistic way to navigate the misogynistic words that diminish the humanity of women. Without a doubt, it is not difficult to hear the sexualization of women’s bodies in hip-hop music - and it is clear that the impact this has is not positive. Margaret