It is a sad, but true fact that rappers typically throw the word
bitch around like confetti at a parade. This trend is not new. It's not even a trend. It has become the new normal. Certainly there are exceptions to the rule, however, in the rap world, the rule is that women are bitches and men are niggas. I remember Queen Latifah's anthem "U.N.I.T.Y." As a respected female artist, she proudly proclaimed that not only was she not a
bitch, but that NO woman deserved to be called that name. Both men and women united around this song and its message. Be respectful.
For a short time,
bitch was seen as the trump card. The word you saved for a certain level of anger with a woman. It was the ultimate form of disrespect. If you wanted to start fight, call a girl a
bitch. Earrings will be removed, Vaseline will be applied, a melee will ensue. That was then. Now,
bitch is either a compliment of profound diva behavior, which is a good thing, or the previously stated ultimate form of respect resulting in a good old fashion beat down. So how do you know when to be offended or be proud? In a society that is increasingly politically correct, how did
bitch get left off of the "Don't Say That" list?
Which brings me to Trey Songz. Women love him, go to his concerts, buy his CDs, and idolize his every utterance. His music is sensual, seductive, and down right sexy. Trey Songz is our generation's Marvin Gaye. He oozes sex and once proclaimed that he invented it. And we believed him. He's just that good. He takes his mother to all of the "it" events, and we love him even more. If you love men, you are infatuated with Trey Songz. So why does he use
bitch gratuitously in his new single "Two Reasons?" On the radio version, he sings "I only came for the ladies and the drinks," but on the album version he sings "I only came for the bitches and the drinks." Why don't his 90% female fan base say or do something? Because its accepted. Trey Songz can call us
bitches on one track and sing us out of our Victoria Secret's on the next track because we allow it.
As a society, we have decided that it is okay to disrespect a certain group without question. Women. I propose that we treat bitch the same way we treat nigga. If you don't have a vagina, you should not use the word. And ladies, if we want respect we must demonstrate and demand it.
I found you through a post on LinkedIn. This is really a good blog! I'm going to see what else you've written. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteWe just talked about this matter n song. Its sad that black artists produce such music as this song that disrespects women. And most just sing along as if its ok to be called a bitch!! When we stop supporting n buying this kind of music maybe artists will go back to making good music. I miss the old R&B and Hip Hop from the 90's when we were growing up!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you Tiff. As long as we let it happen it will.
ReplyDelete