Some critics defend the sexuality and gender stereotyping in hip-hop and dance hall music because of the benefits the style of music brings. Especially because these benefits help minorities specifically African Americans and Latino’s. George Lipsitz in his article “World Cities and World Beat: Low-Wage Labor And Transnational Culture” tells of Andrew Ross is who gave ways to how these groups are benefiting from this music. The first being a little less noteworthy and that is a Jamaican political project was ended because the misuse of reggae by a Jamaican President. The other benefit Andrew Ross gives is it has contributed to working against the misdistribution of wealth.
Another way critics defend, this type of music, is by explaining that women seem to embrace it. Meaning not only do women not mind what is being said, but they also enjoy it, it has a positive feel to them. Lipsitz tells of Louis Chude- Sokei who puts out some good reasons that do seem to show that women don’t seem to mind. His first reason is women tend to buy more of this kind of music then men do. Another way he tries to show that women don’t mind is in the Jamaican dancehalls, those who run the dance floors are women.
In my opinion, the attitudes towards women in the music are degrading, and I can’t imagine how offended I would be if I was a woman. But, Chude- Sokei does make a good point and seems as those women like this kind of music even though it doesn’t portray them in the greatest way. If they don’t mind then I’m all for them letting them do what they want. But, I can’t fully agree with the critics that women find “affirmation and power”. I’m sure that some do, but I’m positive some don’t. It seems to me that most people who complain about this kind of music are either older conservative men, or middle aged women. Middle aged women, are very influential group, as they make up a good portion of our population. Looking at the women population and the portion that are middle aged women, I have to assume that it isn’t an overwhelming portion of women, they enjoy this type of music they way that some critics say they do. It’s also not only middle aged women who don’t like listening to what is being said, there plenty of girl my age who would say the same thing. Going back to the first reason I gave for critics supporting this music, it helps minorities. I would have to disagree with this benefit being worthy, of degrading women. Why should one group benefit at the expense of another. I also don’t understand how this is helping the misdistribution of wealth as it’s only those who have something to do with the music that get payed. I think the real point fixing the misdistribution of wealth is, spreading throughout the group with the disadvantage, not just giving it to a select group.
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