Journal Article Analysis

Pimps Up, Ho’s Down: Hip Hop’s Hold on Young Black Women is an interesting article. The author is T. Denean Sharpley-Whiting. The article is about the hip hop culture and the young black women. The author addresses the ways in which the young black women connected to Hip Hop culture, she also appeals to an audience of young black Americans to review and understand its influences in their social relationships. The author eludes that if a young black male does not have sexist attitudes or behavior toward black women; by the time mainstream hip-hop spreads its influence the subliminal message of misogyny will affect him. Within her title the author gives subject-specific terms; Pimps Up, Ho’s Down as “America’s whipping girl and boy on issues form sexuality to declining family values.”  This article shares how the Hip Hop culture became an approved part of society for both the young men and women of black Americans.  The author explores the younger “millennium generation” that grew up in hip hop’s wake.  It is unfortunate that hip hop music has been twisted, perverted from its original beginnings and has corrupted the minds of young black men to have a Sexual violence and distrust toward the black woman. 

The author states that the success of hip hop is largely contingent on black women.  Young black men have joined a culture of music that promotes, and maintains a negative image of black women.  When viewing the hip hop videos it is obvious that black women are seen in the hip-hop culture as nothing more than sex objects. Almost every hip-hop video has women dancing around men using very provocative and suggestive moves, not wearing much clothing.  The clothing that they do have on enhances their sexuality and the cameramen are focusing on any body part that would be considered sensual. While these images are being shown explicit lyrics are being rapped that usually suggest that women are not worth anything more than money. Hip hop describes the only thing that women good is for sexual relations and the singers or rappers portray themselves as being a pimp. Most raps are musical lyrics of young men celebrating the lifestyle of a rapper as a pimp, which at times gives the impression of the women to be prostitutes and suggest violent or harsh acts against women.

The author wants people to see with this image of black women being portrayed, it has affected the social relationships between young black men and women.  It also, promotes verbal, physical and sexual abuse for young black women. Unfortunately, it is evident in today’s society that some young black women have become captivated with the “bad boy” pimp illusion.

Sharpley-Whiting wraps up her article by stating she realizes that hip hop did not create the actual misogynistic attitude that young black men have toward young black women.  But the hip hop culture actualizes this behavior and increases the participation of this unacceptable lifestyle.  She also writes that white males are hip hop’s essential consumers.  With that point made the overall article clearly states the role hip hop plays within the social culture of the young generation of black Americans.

References
Sharpley-Whiting, T. (2007). Pimps up, ho's down hip hop's hold on young black women.
The Journal of Popular Culture, 41(4), 735-737.