The most successful black women's magazine, Essence, is in the middle of a campaign that could have monumental cultural significance.
Essence is taking on the slut images and verbal abuse projected onto black women by hip hop lyrics and videos.The magazine is the first powerful presence in the black media with the courage to examine the cultural pollution that is too often excused because of the wealth it brings to knuckleheads and amoral executives.
This anything-goes-if-sells attitude comes at a cost. The elevation of pimps and pimp attitudes creates a sadomasochistic relationship with female fans. They support a popular idiom that consistently showers them with contempt. We are in a crisis, and Essence knows it.
Click here for the whole story. I have often asked why women go along with this, and man, they do. It was wierd, I worked for a show that had a huge impact (still does) on rap culture, and the whole culture bleeds into the workplace. But you would never see a woman call anyone on some of the stuff that went on. Now, if I tried anything, I am sure they would have thrown the book at me, but...
Anyway, I was REALLY encouraged!
1 comment:
This is really off topic but I just noticed that the picture in your profile was taken at our house. :)
Amy
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