Gender

 By: Mara Brewster  

Figure 1: Women activist protesting for their right to vote.

Aoccrding to Blacks Law Dictionay, gender is defined as, “differnces between men and women based on culturally and socially accepted mores”(Black’s Law Dictionary 2018). The differences between men and women vary based on cultural context. The differences began in hunting and gathering societies where men (because of size) went hunting, and women stayed to care for the young. At the time each of these jobs held equal importance. As societies changed and technology was invented it lead societies to agricultural, industrial and now post-industrial societies but a stigma was left on women. Stereotypes and discrimination have left lasting impressions on the role women carry into society in the United States. Being born into a status of man you are automatically privileged with opportunity and power. According to the novel Feminism and Suffrage by Ellen Carol Dubois, the women’s rights movement developed long before the Civil War and “had two sources. On one hand, it emerged from women’s growing awareness of their common condition and grievances. Simultaneously it was an aspect of antebellum reform politics, particularly of the antislavery movement”(Dubious 1973). In 1848 women began to fight for their agency in an organized manner. The institutions fighting for civil rights for women and African Americans lead to the 14th and 15th amendments. These amendments promise equality and give African men the right to vote. Although the amendment stressed equality there still was not freedom, “When we talk freedom of opportunity for all nations, the mocking paradoxes in our own society become so clear that they can no longer be ignored”(Takai p.341). It was not until 1920 that the 18th amendment was passed giving women the right to vote and we are still dealing with inequality of gender in America.

Figure 2: Artwork symbolizing the wage gap.

 

Gender and Society

Gender stratification is “The unequal distribution of wealth, power and privilege between men and women”(Macnois 2019). We can see gender stratification take place in the work environment. “6 percent of the S&P 500 companies in the United States have a woman as their chief executive officer (CEO)”(Macanois 2019).  There is also an imbalance in the wage gap for men and women. In 2015, “median earnings for women working full time were $40,742, and men working full-time earned $51,212”(Macanois 2019). You can also see gender stratification in America today through the pink tax, rape, and homelessness.

Figure 3: Artwork depicitng wage discrimmination through differnt races.

Gender and the Music Industry

There is a lot of work in making music. Artist gets signed a deal with a record label most of the time before their music is able to gain headway in the industry. The top 10 highest paid and most influential labels are run by men.  The wage gap with an artist in the music industry is relevant. In 2018 according to BBC, the highest paid male artist is Toby Keith making $500 million. According to 411mania (music news), the highest paid female artist is Katy Perry in 2018 making $83 million. The rap music industry has been in the spotlight for discrimination against women especially, this is because it does not want to sign them. Rick Ross said to the Breakfast Club (a popular music podcast) that he wouldn’t sign women because he couldn’t keep it in his pants. Ross said he wouldn’t want to sign a female rapper because what he would do to her could end up messing up his business. His statement sounds almost unbelievable until you look at the other major rap labels in the industry. 300 entertainment(Atlantic) in 2017 had 47 artists signed and 6 female artist and no females who rap. Def Jam (Universal) had 36 artists signed, 8 female artists and one female who raps. G.O.O.D. music founded by Kanye West had 9 artists signed, 2 female artist and no female rappers. Top Dawg Entertainment had 9 artists signed, 1 female artist named SZA who quit due to frustration. OVO sound (warner bros) had nine artists signed none of them being female. The rest of the list from Pitchfork taken in 2017 had similar statistics. Not only do women struggle with being able to get jobs in the music industry there are also examples of the ones who do being taken advantage of.  Indie pop star Zara describes her abuse to Vice, “It’s taken me two years and a lot of therapy to realize I was being abused”(Zara). Zara’s fellow bandmate had raped her and threatened her through power. He said he could do this because he got her position in the band.  Due to contracts, it is difficult for women to escape their abusers in the music industry. Artis rely so heavily on their labels, giving them power over their lives and opportunity to take advantage. Kesha a famous pop star went to court recently because of abuse she was facing from her producer which was sexual and emotional. Women are at risk in the music industry due to the field being dominated by men who hold power over them in society. This is true to throughout the entertainment industry and America is starting to see it through the #metoo movement.

Figure 4: G.O.O.D. production team featuring only one female compared to 8 males in 2019.

 

Sexist Lyrics

The leaders in media today, “worry less about satisfying the demands of their discipline than the demands of good showmanship”(Postman p.98) The people who write, produce and sing songs with sexist lyrics don’t care about making good music with a purpose, instead they care about a catchy beat for club music. Unlike in previous times were people would seek out tasteful media because the “audiences were made up of people with intellectual lives”(Postman p.47) The one’s writing music do not necessarily have to worry about people paying attention to the music media they expose themselves too after all it is just entertainment… Popular music displays sexist lyrics which are a reflection of the deeply rooted sexism in Americans master narrative. The song Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke is about a man wanting a girl who is not interested. “I know you want it, but you’re a good girl, I hate these blurred lines”(Robin Thicke blurred lines. Tech n9e released a song called Areola, “see her walking around prettier than vogue, taken over by an unadulterated player”(Tech n9ne). This song is basically about how is going to take over this female and make her do things. There are a lot of songs whose main context is taking advantage of women who don’t want it or do not have a say. This reflects rape culture in the united states.

Figure 5: Infographic depicitng rape culture.

 

Gender and Black Lives Matter

Ebony Miranda from Black Lives Matter is my community partner for this assignment. I asked her How Black Lives Matter was helping women of color, Ebony stated, “Black Lives Matter was founded by three African American women and has continued to be a woman-run organization. I would say that in itself is a huge step for women and encouraging other women to take leading roles in organizing”(Miranda). I also asked about her personal experience in the school and workforce, I asked if it was a struggle due to her gender, “yes, I have been told that I wouldn’t be capable of achieving certain things, or that I shouldn’t do certain things because of my gender. I’ve experienced many microaggressions”(Miranda). So how do we help fix this issue of gender inequality? You can donate to Black Lives Matter which fights for equality for all people and women of color suffer from inequality. You can ask to volunteer or sign up to take action. You can post about the importance of the issue on media outlets and post about what Black Lives Matter is. Education is also important, to get educated on topics as you yourself are a member of society.

Figure 6: Screen capture of conversation with Ebony Miranda.

This blog post contains possible copyright material that is used for educational purposes regarding the portrayal of  gender in American music. We are able to use this material on this website because of the Digital Millenia Act of 1998 that added on new regulations regarding digital copyright laws. However, this blog post is compliant with the copyright laws due to the fact that the material used gives proper credit to the original authors and the information used is for educational purposes only.

 

References

Postman, N. (2006). Amusing Ourselves to Death. New York, N.Y., U.S.A.: Penguin Books.

Takaki, R. (2008). A Different Mirror. New York, NY: Back Bay Books.

Dubois, E. (1978). Feminsim and Sufferage. Cornell University, Cornelle University Press: Itcha and London.

Blacks Law Dictionary. Free Online Legal Dictionary 2nd Edition. Macionis, J,J. (2019).

Macionis, J. (2019). Sociology (17th  edition). Retrieved from http://https://revel-ise.pearson.com/courses

Ebony Miranda