Rap And Rape Culture

1682 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Gender and violence in todays music 2018

Eighteen million women and three million men. These are the numbers of women and men that have been raped at some point in their lives. (Tjaden & Thoennes, 2006.) Many advocates would say this is proof that we are living in a “rape culture”. A label coined by second wave feminists in the 1970’s, in response to the on-going prevalence of rape in the United Sates. Over the years, there have been many definitions of rape culture, but for the sake of the research paper, rape culture will be defined as a society where sexual violence is normalized. If you’ve ever heard of the responses: “She asked for it.” “He didn’t mean to.” “She wanted it.” “It wasn’t really rape.” “She’s clearly lying.” This is what a rape culture conditions us as a society to think or even verbalize when a story of sexual assault or rape is presented. Conversely, other advocates and feminists recoil at the use of the label “rape culture” because of what the label institutes about our society or progressions we’ve made in trying to eradicate …show more content…

While, other music genres such as rock and country are known to depict women in subordinate roles, rap is seen to do this in a more sexually explicit and graphic way. (Kurbin & Weitzen. Vol. 1. Pg. 3.) For instance, the rap song U.O.E.N.O, Rick Ross raps the lyrics “put molly all in her champagne/she ain’t even know it. /I took her home and I enjoyed that/ She ain’t even know it.” What’s startling in all these cases is that those involved refuse to see the problem or even the impact it might have on viewers. As Kate Harding perfectly sums up “The entertainment we consume both reflects and reifies the rape myths we cherish. We owe it to ourselves to take it seriously and expect better.” (179.) Unfortunately, there are those, opponents to rape culture, who seemingly do not take it seriously and see the claims of rape culture as exaggerated

Show More
Related

  • Analysis Of Susan Griffin's Rape: The All-American Crime

    928 Words  | 2 Pages

    Susan Griffin’s Rape: The All-American Crime touches on many issues within American society. She begins by recounting how she was taught to be afraid of strange men from such a young age that she had not yet learned what it was she was so afraid of, and then goes into her experience with harassment, an experience shared by every woman at some point in her life. Griffin recounts the belief that all rapists are insane and the proof that they are just normal men and dispels the myth that rape is normal activity that is prohibited by society. However, she goes on to clarify that our culture views rape: “as an illegal, but still understandable, form of behavior” (Griffin 514). It seems that the wrongness of rape is determined by the situation in

    Read More

  • All Men Are Created Equal: Except Women

    1347 Words  | 3 Pages

    One of the most horrible things that has erupted from the subjugation of women is rape culture. Rape culture is the downplaying of the crime of rape to appease the violator, the accusation that the victim made a choice that led to their rape, or even jokes that suggest rape. According to Jessica Valenti’s, “In Rape Tragedies, the Shame Is Ours,” in today's world many people give in to rape culture by participating in these acts that somehow change our mindsets into believing that, “it is more shameful to be raped than to be a rapist”. Once ...

    Read More

  • Rape - The Plague of the Modern World

    2187 Words  | 5 Pages

    Rape is a virus that infects every nation, culture and society. It is constantly referred to as “the unfinished murder”, because of the deep state of despair the rapist leaves the victim in. There is no common identifiable trend that determines who will be a rape victim. Women are not assaulted because of their attitudes or actions, they are attacked simply because they are present. With rapists, just as with their victims, there is no identifiable trend. The old myth that only “sick, dirty, old, perverted men” commit rapes is a lie that society tells itself in order to sleep better at night. The startling truth is that most rapists work under a veil of normalcy. In order for the percentage of rapes to decrease, we have to change our ideas about rape and let go of the old myths of the past. And until this happens, rape will continue to plague our world at large.

    Read More

  • Rape Myth Acceptance: The Blame On Women

    1166 Words  | 3 Pages

    It is not a topic that is brought up often, especially at schools or at gatherings, yet it is crucial that everyone be educated, or at least informed on a topic that affects women every day. “Given that sexual violence continues to occur at high rates in the United States, it is vital that we understand attitudes and cultural norms that serve to minimize or foster tolerance of sexual violence” (Aosved, 481). Growing rates of sexual violence goes to prove that it is not taken seriously by many, especially when myths excuse the actions of the perpetrator and instead guilt victims into thinking they are responsible for the horrible act. Burt (1980), in her article titled, “Cultural myths and support for rape” attempts to make sense of the importance of stereotypes and myths, defined as prejudicial, stereotypes, or false beliefs about rape, rape victims and rapists- in creating a climate hostile to rape victims (Burt, 217). Examples of rape myths are such sayings as “only bad girls get raped”; “women ask for it”; “women cry rape” (Burt, 217). This only goes to prove that rape myths against women always blame and make it seem like it is the women’s fault she was raped and that she deserved it for “acting” a certain way. McMahon (2007), in her article titled, “Understanding community-specific rape myths” explains how Lonsway and Fitzgerald (1994) later described rape myths as “attitudes and beliefs that are generally

    Read More

  • The Exploitation and Objectification of Women in Rap

    1182 Words  | 3 Pages

    Women have consistently been perceived as second-class citizens. Even now, in times when a social conscience is present in most individuals, in an era where an atmosphere of gender equality 'supposedly' exists, it is blatantly apparent that the objectification and marginalization of women is still a major social issue. In reality, progression in terms of reducing female exploitation has been stagnant at best. Not only is the degradation of women a major problem that to date has not been eradicated, but it is actually being endorsed by some music celebrities. There are a growing number of people who purchase rap albums that support the fallacy that women are mere objects and should be treated as such. As the popularity of rap continues to climb at unprecedented rates, so too does its influence on the perception of women. In the vast majority of hip-hop songs, the depiction of women as sexual objects, the extreme violence directed towards them and the overall negative influence these lyrics have on the average adolescent's perception of women make rap the absolute epitome of female exploitation.

    Read More

  • Portrayal of Women in Rap and Music Videos

    1724 Words  | 4 Pages

    Misogyny and degradation of women is present in almost every genre of music, yet the one genre that completely revolves around demeaning women is rap. Over the years rap and rap music videos have continually become more sexual and degrading towards women. Rap has been criticized numerous times for this reason, and that is because rap is one of the most popular genres of music for the younger generations. It is more than a genre of music, it is a complete industry filled with clothing and other merchandise. The reason this constant demeaning of women exists is because rap as a genre that rewards the objectification of women. The excuses used to justify the misogyny in rap are incomplete and lack accurate support. The most effective way for this continuous cycle ends, is if the fight and protest comes from the women themselves. Men are the problem in the objectification of women but in order for it to stop, women need to step up and take control of the situation.

    Read More

  • Rape Culture

    1619 Words  | 4 Pages

    Many of the attitudes, beliefs, and mistaken ideas about rape have been with us for centuries. By looking at myths, such as “women ask for it,” and “it would do some women good to get raped,” from a historical perspective, lead us for better understanding how they evolved. Women are still seen as the property of men, are protected as such. Men and women are still taught to occupy very different roles in today’s world. Men are usually more aggressive, and women are seen as passive. (Vogelman) This socialization process is changing, but slowly.

    Read More

  • Rap Music's Influence Upon Teenagers

    1389 Words  | 3 Pages

    Dixon, Travis L., TaKeshia Brooks. “Rap Music and Rap Audiences: Controversial Themes, Psychological Effects and Political Resistance.” Perspectives. 7 April 2009. .

    Read More

  • The Rape Culture Lie Analysis

    1359 Words  | 3 Pages

    Heather Wilhelm’s article titled “The Rape Culture Lie,” is a highly opinionated work that dismisses rape cultures existence, while portraying it as a concept that stems from the historical misconception on the relevance of sex as a deep and intimate part of life. She does not argue that rape is not a big deal, but instead offers an overlooked perspective on rape in society. Wilhelm notes, “But the perpetrator, ironically, isn’t a massive, oppressive ‘rape culture’. It’s the ‘sex means nothing’

    Read More

  • Acquaintance Rape

    2622 Words  | 6 Pages

    Many of the attitudes, beliefs, and mistaken ideas about rape have been with us for centuries. By looking at myths, such as “women ask for it,” and “women secretly enjoy rape,” from a historical perspective, can lead us for better understanding how they evolved. Much stems back to the idea that women are still seen as the property of men, and are protected as such. Men and women are still taught to occupy very different roles in today’s world. Men a...

    Read More

  • Rape: A Living Nightmare

    3121 Words  | 7 Pages

    The society we live in is rape-conducive, rape-friendly, if you will. Despite the anger I feel joining those two words together, I know the sad paradox holds within it a great deal of truth. We are a violent society that has shrouded rape in mystery and shame. To stop this nightmare’s venomous crusades, all people must wage a private war to eradicate their own acceptance of the savage crime. While it is only a minority of men that actually commit rape, it is everyone’s silence that tells them it’s ok.

    Read More

  • How Does Rap Music Promote Violence Against Women

    774 Words  | 2 Pages

    Rap music has been known through their lyrics to openly promote violence against women and many other things. An example would be the well-known rapper Lil Wayne song called “Mrs. Officer.” In the song, Lil Wayne is describing a scenario himself having rough sex with a female officer with using different forms of metaphors. This obviously degrades women as just being sex objects or sexual fantasies to men, but not all rap music is meant to be about “rainbows” or “unicorns.” Rap music is not the only industry that degrades women through their lyrics. Music like rock and roll or pop music have also been known for displaying women as being sexual beings through lyrics. Songs like these give the misconception that this all rap music is about and all it would ever be, but that is incorrect. Rap music also displays positive images through their lyrics and not just the bad. It goes to show that rap music is not as people portray it as being and just a

    Read More

  • Rap Music And Violence Analysis

    559 Words  | 2 Pages

    The second article is about rap music and violence. The article’s authors, Jeanita W. Richardson and Kim A. Scott, explore rap music’s history and place in American culture. The article discusses the ways in which rap music is related to violence, by looking at the creators and listeners of this genre. They argue that it is not primarily about violence towards others, it began as a way for urban youths to express themselves and their unfortunate lot in life and frustration in their situations, with less education opportunities available, poverty, heavy drug influences, and police brutality. The violent lyrics are simply a reflection of a culture of violence in America. As with all people, youths are willing to spend money on things that they are drawn to, whether it is music, movies, etc. and violence is what sold. The authors explain how younger audiences are drawn towards more violent media as that is what has been promoted for them in the media from an early age, as cartoons and regular children’s commercial television are riddled with violent acts. Later in rap’s history, 7 out of 10 youths who bought rap albums

    Read More

  • Effects Of Rape On Women

    1146 Words  | 3 Pages

    Webster’s Dictionary describes rape as the crime of forcing another person to submit to sex acts, especially sexual intercourse. Rape is a crime in which most women cannot defend themselves. The fear of rape plagues every woman at some point or another in her life. The traumatic effects of rape vary from mild to severe, from psychological to physical. This paper will evaluate rape, as well as the effects it has on women, the theory behind male dominance and patriarchy, and differences in demographics.

    Read More

  • Rap Music And Its Impact On Society

    279 Words  | 1 Pages

    Rap/Hip Hop music is widely understood, mostly in part due to the influence of the media. The media usually focuses on rap music when something negative comes up and often use it as a catalyst for the country’s problems such as teen pregnancy and drug abuse. Many rappers talk about the struggle it was for them growing up and having to overcome those obstacles in life to become successful. It is a solace for both the artists and listeners who may be struggling with the same issues. Music in general brings people together, but the youth of today can relate to the struggle and difficulties that most rappers talk about. Many rappers rap about poverty and their struggles in inner-city America while growing up. Once they achieve success, they talk about overcoming obstacles and rising to the top. This message can give hope to many youths across America who live in similar circumstances.

    Read More

More about Rap And Rape Culture

Open Document