So... we're going to big up Megan Thee Stallion for using a Malcolm X quote on Black women and a Tamika Mallory quote re: Daniel Cameron...
but we gon' ignore the lyrics of that song and the strip club representation of Black women in her dancing?
If we doing that, we trippin.
but we gon' ignore the lyrics of that song and the strip club representation of Black women in her dancing?
If we doing that, we trippin.
I agree that Black women are the least protected and honored members of our society. But we need to have a conversation about how *we* value them right along with the conversation about protecting them. "I'm savage" ain't it. Sexual exploitation ain't it.
I'm sorry. But it's not "heroic" to, on the one hand, seek fame and wealth by portraying the images and messages that dehumanize black women, while on the other hand decrying the other actors that exploit, abuse, demean and harm black women. It's not OK b/c you're a black women.
One of the reasons I long for African Americans to have a greater controlling share in entertainment production, curation, etc. is because I'm hoping there's a cadre of us who will actually self-consciously and constructively change the images and messages we're selling about us.
Last time I wrote about the image of Black women in society and media, questioning the sexually exploitive and inconsistent messages of Black women artists, a young sister wrote me off as "some old pastor in his 50s." Okay. But right is right. And we need to talk @ what's right.
If we're demeaning and exploiting ourselves, we can't be surprised if others want to continue doing it, too.
Necessary first step in stopping others: Let's stop doing it with and to each other.
Very close/simultaneous second step: Let's shut down others.
Necessary first step in stopping others: Let's stop doing it with and to each other.
Very close/simultaneous second step: Let's shut down others.
Agency must be coupled with high standards of responsibility and morality. Otherwise, "agency" is simply unaccountable autonomy, recklessness in the name of freedom, and often exploited by capitalist motives.
True agency is self-control harnessed to constructive goals.
True agency is self-control harnessed to constructive goals.
We need a lot more true agency. We have a moment in which to seize it. But we're going to need to have a difficult conversation about expectations we have for ourselves, esp our high-profile entertainers and artists who inform and influence so powerfully through their mediums.
/E
/E
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
