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video vixen
video vixen
The notion of a "video vixen" has been a paradox for continuous analysis and judgement for decades within the hip hop and rap culture. It's platform has constructed a crucial site for media presence but it is paramount to the representation of women of colour through objectification and an idea of possession. The control and power these women have regarding this their social positioning within the industry is of constant discussion as to whether this identity is tainting all women of colour, or breaking the boundaries and taking ownership of their bodies.
Reflective on our current media circulation, it can be recognised that black women in the music industry are now using their sexuality as a tool for empowerment and defiance. This development highlights the importance of self love and respect before the input of anyone else, especially that of a man. The multiplicity of a women's personality can at times be contradictory to onlookers of whom have no intention to understand. However this complexity reinforces a women's ability to adapt, evolve and embrace all sides of herself, including her sexuality.
Identifying and addressing when a women of colour is being objectified within music is weakly challenged and seemingly goes unnoticed, but how do we engage with these oppressors if its what's been ingrained within our social concepts of acceptable? Speaking as a women of colour, this idea makes itself present in most aspects of life although especially in music. The freedom of expression and owning your sexuality through music videos and lyrics is stimulating but when do these concepts of embracing disrespectful references and applying these to ourselves as a sense of endearment start to suggest psychological and societal repercussions?
our many crowns
our many crowns
A black women's protection for her hair grows in time and understanding of self so when this is used for someone else's benefit purely being as an act of fashion, personal offence is felt.
The reality of non blacks taking physical reference and fashioning this without acknowledgment or understand of it's origins, purpose or value, undermines the culture of black hair entirely. Consequently, this fuels the oppressions black women face regarding the conformities of beauty standards. Widening the misrepresentation and placement for illiterate judgement and comparison between the authenticity a women of colour possesses with her natural hair to someone otherwise.
Although a black women's hair commands such intrinsic significance, it should be made aware that we are not only defined by our hair. It does not own us, however we own it.
Hair gives women of the colour the ability to express, be immersed and embrace their roots and beauty. Caring for our hair is a celebration and revitilyisment of our heritage and a true act of self love. It enables us to connect and reinvent ourselves regularly. Nourishing afro-caribbean hair is more than just management, its a time to cherish and nurture the soul and mind. Although we may endure challenges and difficulties with it's texture and unpredictable nature, we learn to utilise this to our advancement.
This extension of ourselves possesses incredible amounts of virtue and importance. However when this element women of colour own is objectified, commodified and incorrectly customised, the boundaries of cultural appropriation is acknowledged.
A website made by me, linking my own visuals and writing. This particular link directs you to a page I created surrounding a women of colour's connection to her hair.
protector / predator
protector / predator
The presence of a black male figure in a black women's life can either enhance her or oppress her. Through the history of our diaspora, an ancestry responsibility to protect and nurture our men is paramount for a sense of security and comfort. However, within our current times of disruption and misrepresentation, values have been lost and misplaced. Consequently, this has caused a reverse in respect and the roles in which male and female identities play in the black community.
The media's dominance has harshly influenced ideologies surrounding fantasy and the praise of commodification, severely damaging cultural honour and courtesy. In opposition however, the media can contradict itself by initialising platforms for empowerment and the embrace of cultural respect.
Modern day hip hop sees the configurations of some black male beliefs and understandings on the principles, responsibilities and assumed realities that black women should possess. Often objectifying and reinforcing old judgments made about women of colour, creating in house divisions and forming a new approach to black women exploitation and hyper sexualisation.
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