My Dilemma

I’m a newcomer when it comes to feminism. As Nicole (my bestie and co-editor) puts it, she has seen me have a “feminist awakening” over the past semester. And as a newcomer, I’m still discovering issues I did not know where there – ones that I’m not sure how to feel about.

Last Friday night, my sorority had our formal. I was sipping wine, chatting away with my date and friends when the DJ played a certain song.

“That’s my jam!” I cried out in all my glory, while I ran to the dance floor in my heels just in time to start booty shaking to the opening lines.

The song was “Get Low” by Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz. A favorite of mine for at least six years now.

Monday morning, one of my classes was discussing pornographic images and gender representations in pop music and music videos. My professor called us out.

“What the hell are you guys listening to? What the hell are you buying?”

Well, now I’m looking at what the hell I’m listening to – what my jams are – and I don’t really know how to feel. The lyrics to "Get Low" refer to women as bitches and hoes. Some of the more heinous lines are as follows…

            “Pa pop your pussy like this”

“Now can I play with yo panty line club owner said I need to calm done security guard go to sweating”

“Let me see you get low you scared you scared”

“Pop that ass to the left and the right ya”

The song is catchy and has a great beat and it is super easy to dance to. But looking at these lyrics and the insinuations that this man is being aggressive with a female he obviously does not respect, it makes me wonder if I’m even allowed to like this song. Can I enjoy, support, and dance to a song that teaches women that dancing and twerking has to be done to please a man who refers to us as ‘bitches’ and ‘pussy?’ Is it okay for me to embrace my own sexuality while dancing to this song or does that invite men to treat me like the women in the song are treated – for them to see me as scared on the dance floor and them in a position of power to instruct me to “bend over?” Would I want my daughters to dance to this or my sons to sing along? Or am I just getting worked up over nothing?

These are not merely rhetorical questions. I honestly want your opinions. Like I said, I’m new to this and this topic of music with questionable lyrics has been on my mind. Because, as sad as it is to say, if I stop listening to music with any questionable lyrics, I feel like there won’t be much left!

Let me know how you all deal with this issue, what you think of these kinds of songs, and how you find a balance between appreciating music but still following your ideals in the comments below!

By Jenna