Name:
Jacqueline Brown
Journalism 50 Section 4 M-R, 8:00 a.m. Carroll
Title of Topic:
The portrayal of African American females in rap videos in the new millennium
Section I:
The portrayal of African American females in rap videos in the new millennium
Musicians use music videos to illustrate their song lyrics. The videos are not only used to explain their point of view, but to appeal to a specific audience. The music video industry is full of innovations, developments and ideals. As we move into the new millennium artists are willing to try new techniques to keep the attention of society.
The musical genre of rap has always dealt with some of the most controversial issues: sexism, obsenity, homophobia and hatred. Rap is considered to be one of the strongest politically and culturally offensive gestures among African Americans today. Although it has become a cultural expression, rap has also become a societal pitfall as far as its portrayal of African American women in its videos. The rappers discriminate within their race by choosing women that are light-skinned, light- eyed, with long hair. The men also display women as sexual objects by placing them in shower scenes, sex scenes, and strip clubs. The women are usually dressed in clothing that is revealing and degrading. Even though males have portrayed African American women in music videos as gold-diggers and sex objects, artists such as Lil’ Mo, Missy Elliot and Eve have steered away from the norm and brought a new respect for females throughout the industry. Their display of independence and talent have brought hope to the rap industry and an equal playing field for females and males in the music industry for the new millennium.
Through my research on this topic, I would like to understand what aspects of music videos help them sell in society? Is it the talent of female rappers or the appearance of females in videos, that appeal to members of society? These questions, when answered, will allow one to understand the amount of progress being made by African American females in the music business, specifically in the genre of rap.
With this topic, I am targeting anyone interested in not only media issues, but issues within the African American community and their portrayals in the media. I am also targeting young adolescent and teenage males and females, to help them understand the numerous stereotypes placed upon their generation, with hopes of them working to change them in the new millennium.
UNC Library Catalog:
African American women and music videos
Negative portrayals and music videos
Search engine on the web http://www.google.com
African American portrayals and music videos
African Americans and music videos
w/5 rap!
(African Americans) AND rap
Section II:
Dines, Gail and Jean M. Hunez. Gender, Race and Class in the Media. California: Thousand Oaks, 1995. P96.5422 U64
Roberts, Robin. Ladies first: Women in music videos. Jackson, Miss: University Press of Mississippi, 1996. ML82.R63 1996
Section III:
King, Susan. "Rap for Animal Take." Los Angeles Times, Home Edition, 22 June 2001, 4. Database on-line. Available from Academic Universe: http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe [22 June 2001].
Pacheco, Patrick. “The Latest Entertainment News and More.” Newsday, All Editions, 2 May 2001, A12. Available from Academic Universe: http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe [2 May 2001].
Pevere, Geoff. “Jive-talkin’ skewers black cliches.” Toronto Star, Ontario Edition, 1 July 2001, D06. Available from Academic Universe: http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe [1 July 2001].
Pool, Hannah. “Spirit and Beauty: The New Black.” Guardian Weekend Pages, 14 July 2001, 53. Available from Academic Universe: http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe [14 July 2001].
“Soft Sitter Cinema.” The Times-Picazrse, 13 April 2001, 4. Available from Academic Universe: http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe [13 April 2001].
Video Monitoring Services of America. “Newsnight.” WMPT-TV, Monday, 11 July 2001. Available from Academic Universe: http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe [11 July 2001].
Section IV:
Title of Web site: Mediascope: Youth and Violent Music
Address: www.mediascope.org/pubs/ibriefs/yvm.htm
Description: This web site focuses on teen interests in music’s violent lyrics and how they lead to degrading portrayals of females. The article also deals with the long-term psychological effects of music videos on children.
Source of web site: Mediascope Research Organization
Address: www.aap.org/policy/01219.html
Description: This page focuses on the impact of rap videos on children in lower income families. It also discusses the negative portrayals of females and the effects of these portrayals in society.
Title of Web site: Convention Abstracts
Address: www.aejmc.org/convention/abstracts/2000%20/mac.html
Description: This web site discusses the portrayals of African American women in all types of media. The page also gives other sources to refer to for more information.
Source of web site: AEJMC Organization
Title of Web site: Media and Adolescent Sexuality
Address: www.w-cpc.org/sexuality/media.html
Description: This page focuses on the impact of sex in different forms of media, such as music videos on children and adolescents, and how it effects their attitudes and behaviors. The page also displays several statistics about music videos and female portrayals in them.
Source: Alan Guttmacher Institute
Title of Web site: Popular Music and Society
Address: www.findarticles.com/cf_0/m2822/4_22/56952172/print.jhtml
Description: This site is dedicated to the discussion of how women are portrayed in popular song lyrics and music videos. The site is regularly updated to contain the most popular songs and the most recent criticisms.
Source: Popular Press
Is your computer at risk?
Beware of viruses on the web
Computer viruses have been the source of many technological problems throughout the world. Viruses such as the Melissa virus and the Chernobyl virus have gummed up major computer networks all over, such as Microsoft and many others.
Computer viruses are extremely costly and destructive. Security experts predicted that the real cost of computer viruses and other threats are incalculable and could cost companies billions of dollars. Many companies are unprepared to deal with this threat to their company networks. Many did not even know how to install anti-virus software properly to protect their core resources and networks. (1)
Due to the frustration of dealing with these viruses, Lance Concannon stated, “Sometimes it feels like us Net users are forever under attack from hackers and crackers with new viruses.” He also stated, “They should get a life and stop ruining everyone else’s fun.”(2) We can learn to protect our intellectual resources, data, and computers by taking advantage of alerts, warnings, and advisories that are available from several government agencies, non-profit organizations, academic research institutions, and anti-virus program producers who have joined together to fight these irritating viruses. (1)
As computer users and owners, we do not have to allow viruses to destroy our information. Although our computers may be at risk, we can prevent these viruses from entering our systems and creating problems. If we continue to update anti-virus programs and stay on top of computer developments and innovations we can definitely save our “at risk systems.”
Gordon-Murnane, Laura “Cyber Threats: Protect Against Computer Viruses with Alerts, Warnings, and Advisories,” Searcher, July-August 1999, v7 i7 p.59 Also Available [Online]: NCLIVE [Accessed 16 July 2001].
Concannon, Lance, “Hacked Off,” Internet Magazine, July 2000, p. 43 Also Available [Online]: NCLIVE [Accessed 16 July 2001].