Ludacris' Lyrics: Misogyny, Racism and The Reality of America

"Misogyny wears many guises, reveals itself in different forms which are dictated by class, wealth, education, race, religion and other factors but its chief characteristic is its pervasiveness."

- Bell Hooks quoting Joan Smith in Hook's 1994 article, "Sexism and Misogyny: Who Takes the Rap?"

Seems like a good time to quote Bell Hooks. Ludacris caused a mild storm (at least in my own mind) today when his new song, Politics: Obama Is Here was released. The song, a passionate and energetic call to arms to support Barack Obama, was also a horrific display of misogyny and sexism, not to mention violence.

In the song, Ludacris calls himself one of Obama's favorite rappers and then goes on to say,

"Hillary hated on you, so that b^$&%* is irrelevant..."

Barack Obama immediately responded through spokesperon Bill Burton distancing himself from and clearly condemning the lyrics. From Politico.com:

"As Barack Obama has said many, many times in the past, rap lyrics today too often perpetuate misogyny, materialism, and degrading images that he doesn't want his daughters or any children exposed to," said spokesman Bill Burton. "This song is not only outrageously offensive to Senator Clinton, Reverend Jackson, Senator McCain, and President Bush, it is offensive to all of us who are trying to raise our children with the values we hold dear. While Ludacris is a talented individual he should be ashamed of these lyrics."

I know many will use this as an opportunity to talk about how horrible rap lyrics are in their portrayal of women. But, as Bell Hooks notes, while male rap artists must be held accountable for the misogyny in their lyrics, "The sexist, misogynist, patriarchal ways of thinking and behaving that are glorified in gangsta rap are a reflection of the prevailing values in our society, values created by white supremacist capitalist patriarchy."

I offer these words not by way of an excuse for Ludacris' inexcusable choice of words but as a lifeboat for us all, as we swim together through these incredibly difficult waters.

Ludacris is no doubt right that there have been politicians "hatin on" Obama; that there have been despicable jokes and more subtle, though no less disgusting, racism lobbed at Barack Obama.

Yet, instead of including women -- both Black and White -- in his call to support Barack Obama in his historic run for the White House he single-handedly, metaphorically gives us a good slap in the face. These lyrics are nothing if not indicative of a sexism that pervades society and with a broad sweep turns both black and white women, women of all colors, shapes and sizes into "b****s" and "hos."

Ludacris is repeating nothing, however, that hasn't been said or acted out in a million different ways throughout history. As Hooks notes, these ideas are not a " a black, male thing." These ideas are encouraged and promoted by the dominant culture in this country.

Hillary Clinton suffered the misogyny that Ludacris spouts, throughout her campaign, by men of all colors. And she did so because of the societal acceptance of sexism. The same sexism that still -- in the 21st century -- disavows women of our bodily autonomy, freedom and equality under law. And Barack Obama has suffered the slings of racism to a degree that reveals just how deeply ingrained racism is in our society - so cemented in the bones of our citizens that many white people who say they are not racist refuse to acknowledge its presence at all. It's the same racism and misogyny that undercuts all women's abilities to control our reproductive lives, to be seen as equal members of society, and to be free from gendered violence.

Barack Obama is making a truly historic run for President of the United States -- and this campaign season has been one where race, gender and ethnicity are not barriers and yet not invisible either; where racism and sexism still interfere.

The thing is, supporting Barack Obama is one thing. Opposing Hillary Clinton, fine. But any racial healing -- or gender healing for that matter -- will never happen this way. The history of racism and sexism is intertwined and need not be pitted against each other. Ludacris recites what many have thought and others have said. Obama squarely denounced it. We must denounce the misogyny on all levels and everywhere - whether in regards to reproductive freedom or racism. It's the only way this historic moment will truly benefit us all.

Originally posted on RH Reality Check

Comments

[S1m0n]

Misogyny is hating women for being women, a feature not present in the line you quote. The lyric about Hillary Clinton provides it's reasons, and they concern the disdain shown by Hillary & her proxies over the Barack Obama campaign. There's no good reason to suspect that the reason cited isn't both frank and sincere.

[alsm9]

Calling Hillary a "bitch" suggests a lack of respect for women in general, so yes it is "featured" in the quote. If someone were to call Barack Obama a racial derogatory term in regard to his campaign vs. hers, they would rightly be called a racist.

[grapesofmath]

Do we really think that Luda sat down and said to himself , "I wonder how I can heal racism and sexism in America today with my rapping skills?"
He is a a firebrand. He likes to cause trouble. He like to play devil-advocate.
Ms. Newman, while your frustrations are no doubt totally valid, can you generate the same kind of fervor over the thinly veiled racism that McCain has been lobbing towards Obama for the past several weeks?

[realwoman]

"values created by a white supremacist capitalist patriarchy" Like my grandma would say "what a bunch of hooey." How about values you create for yourself. Are some people that weak? What about their families? Didn't they teach them right from wrong? Is that also the fault of "white supremacists?" The more I read blog sites like these the more I believe that it's the left that hold minorities down because it creates outside, imaginary forces instead of urging inner strength and personal responsibilities.

[YoungCleve]

Rap is not toxic. For anyone to say that shows they know nothing about it. Rap reflects the youth culture of today. And our generation happens to to be profane, over-sexed, prejudiced, intelligent, progressive, conscious, good and bad the list goes on. All of these traits are depicted in rap music. Which of these traits are more appealing to the media? The negative ones. Because sex, violence sells. That's all you see in the news, TV, movies and...music! Of course record companies and the media only push the music that reflects the negative. Before you criticize the culture, know something about it. There's more to it than what is spoon fed to you.

[mredder4]

"profane, over-sexed, prejudiced, intelligent, progressive, conscious,"

Can anyone be prejudiced AND intelligent? No. Profane and conscious? Again, no.

You offer up a laundry list of excuses for rap, in a kind of indignant defense of the indefensible. "Rap reflects youth culture" No, no it doesn't. Maybe black youth culture, but not American youth culture. There are a lot of kids on honor rolls and in Advanced Placement classes who could tell you "Not once did I slap a bitch, down a forty or bottle of champagne, seel bags of coke, or anything else prevelent in modern rap lyrics." And then there are a lot of kids NOT on honor roll or in Advanced Placement that could tell you that they do all those things. And you say rap is not toxic? It's a valid music form with a ton of potential, currently being twisted and abused by the "biggest" artists out to play the game, make as much money as possible, and then get out, with no reflection on the consequences of their lyrics.

[YoungCleve]

OK let's clear some things up. Yes, I was talking about black culture, I guess since I am black I didn't think to make the distinction...forgot where I was posting, sorry. My laundry lists of traits reflects all different types of people within a culture, within a generation. There are more rappers than the ignorance that dances around BET and MTV. There is a whole world of rap that you, the mainstream, are not exposed to. Record companies and artists (if you want to call them that) push the negative because that is what is selling.

And I am defensive because hip hop is my culture and I get tired of people who know nothing about rap (other than what the media, who knows nothing about it, tells them) trying to demonize it.

[mredder4]

" Which of these traits are more appealing to the media? The negative ones."

Maybe because they're NEGATIVE? And negative forces are supposed to confronted through the media, bringing outrageousness into the public's eye so that it can be addressed instead of apologized for.

If you could tell me that the top-selling rap artists are just DYING to release a progressive, insightful, uplifting rap album, I'd say great. But most of them are so blinded by bling and greed that it's the last thing on their mind, much less within the realm of their talents. So with Ludacris as an example, do I believe that he wants to make inspiring music? Maybe, since not many rappers get involved in politics. But as his song reveals, he's completely unqualified to do so, otherwise his message would be more "Obama can help everyone, come see how" rather than "Let's give middle fingers to all these haters of Barack Obama".

[JustifiablyParanoid]

I'm sorry -- but the very fact that you stated "not many rappers get involved in politics" -- proves quite conclusively to me (not that I needed further proof based upon your previous post) -- that you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.

Seriously. Why don't you educate yourself a bit more before posting such obviously ignorant statements.

It would help.

[alsm9]

Public Enemy is/was one of the most influetial rap/hip hop artists EVER. And they are VERY political. They never rapped about bling, they followed in the footsteps of Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye, R&B artist who were very vocal about urban life and oppression. REAL rap is ALL about politics imho! Rap isn't suppose to be inspiring, it started out as protest music with groups like Grand Master Flash. If you are going to way in on this issue you should probably know a little more about it.

As for Ludacris, I too think some of the lyrics are offensive and unfortunatly, like rock, hip-hop has branched off into this capitolist, vain, souless garbage. Not all hip hip artists are like him though....

[BBDisk]

"Ludacris is repeating nothing, however, that hasn't been said or acted out in a million different ways throughout history. As Hooks notes, these ideas are not a " a black, male thing." These ideas are encouraged and promoted by the dominant culture in this country."

Cut the crap. Ludacris is carrying on the very tradition of rap music that makes it so appealing to young men - adolescent posturing with heavy doses of misogyny. While larmarch5 wants you to look at the studio heads benefitting from the mysic scene, the fact remains that - if it weren't so damn appealing to the culture, they wouldn't be interested in trying to sell it.

Wake up and smell the cultural catastrophe. Rap is toxic.

[hoos30]

Who is this "Bell Hooks"? I read a couple of pieces by bell hooks while I was in college, but this other woman I don't know...

[Amie Newman - Huffpost Blogger]

Yes, when I wrote the piece it was written as "bell hooks" throughout and through editing was changed to "Bell Hooks" to my dismay when I logged into read the piece. Thank you for pointing it out in comments!!

[Raymondf]

Obama Nation a great read. Everyone should read it. Very factual.

[th20]

He called one woman a bitch. Not the best choice of words, but he didn't indict all women of all colors. He was speaking about a specific woman. Honestly, you quote the line and then fail to accurately interpret its meaning. And this showcases a general ignorance of rap. It isn't that all women are hos, there is a dichotomy where you have queens and hos. It's unfortunate that the dichotomy exists but unless you are accurately speaking to these men about misogyny and reflecting their actual constructs you aren't going to make progress. And you know what? Some women probably thought Hillary Clinton was a bitch too. Remember one thing, your feelings =/= feelings of all women every where. Assuming it is, assuming you are the universal norm is also a legacy of white supremacy and white privilege.

[PixelMarx]

I wouldn't look to pop culture to draw a conclusion as to the extent of sexism in America. If you did you'd come away with a terribly skewed perspective. You have to look also at the workplace, and corporate America. Only 6 of the CEOs of Fortune 500 companies are black men, 12 are women. Do the math.

[iambusto]

and whose fault is that? thank goodness the fortune 500 companies dont keep separate quotas... gee..

look at high school dropout levels too. look at single women household with kids too. 78% of black kids born today are to single moms compared to 50% latino, 35% white and 15% asian.

why are asians more successful than blacks as a community. ever think about that ?

[ms.understood]

Ever wonder why Asians are more successful than whites? If you really care about what goes on in any community outside of your own, then why don't you address the issues instead of pointing out differences between certain communities. The fact of the matter is that some cultures value very different things, so in certain areas of life and family aspects, those values will show more than in others. If you look at test scores, whites do not outperform asians and they probably never will. There is also the fact that African blacks outperform both american blacks, whites, and asians, so really, it's not a black thing, and it's certainly not a thing that blacks just "can't" learn, but it does have to do with the values that your family and culture imprints in an individual's mind. And looking at the statistics, there is a lack of family and therefore, there will be a lack of values to teach the children.

[DAVESEAN]

Apparently, the elder Hiltons had breathed a sigh of relief that Paris was starting to get her act together since hitting rock bottom with her stay in jail last year, when all of a sudden the McCain ad compares her unfavorably to Britney Spears and Barack Obama.

I suspect that heads will roll at the McCain headquarters - if not within the staff, then I wouldn"t be surprised if Steve Schmidt starts looking for a new consulting firm for the next round of ads. This is a reminder to my brethren at the Campaign: don"t bite the hand that feeds us.

Paris Hilton isn"t just a tabloid tart to be tossed around willy-nilly. She"s the living brand name of one of America"s most successful global corporations. It"s no wonder her grandfather"s upset: every time Paris is in the news, fewer people stay at their hotels. Try explaining that to The Blackstone Group - the hedge fund firm that bought into Hilton Hotels last year. Blackstone chairman Peter G. Peterson gave $30,800 to the McCain campaign this year. Guess who also called the campaign today?

[robXdion]

bell hooks and feminists should know the inverse they tout of misandry, sexist, and matriarchy isn't the way to go either. Ludacris and rappers, America's boogeymen, didn't invent misogyny and patriarchy, and they aren't the only ones to doing it now.

[larmarch5]

For the real picture on rappers, go one step up the ladder to see the faces of the men who own the recording and distribution companies. Look into the faces of the concert promoters. Look into the faces of the radio station owners. Ludacris smuticris. Now I hope he does a rap song about the importance fathers in the home with their children. Then I hope he does a song about how important it is to actually register and vote.