culture Text by AANYA KUMAR Additional reporting by AUDREY KERNICK
v
Art by FAUSTINE WANG
WO MEN AGAINST PATRIARCHY
S
DEFINING THEIR OWN SEXUALITY
OAKING WET and dancing ankle vagina, it’s the end of the world?” Empowerment through music deep in a pool, Cardi B and Megan Many listeners, including Palo Alto Some women might find their sexualiThee Stallion are surrounded by High School junior Jaelyn Mitchell, note ty to be something that they are ashamed of backup dancers — each wearing that this inequality is evident beyond because negative depictions of female sexa black leather two-piece set and fishnet “WAP” and is endemic in the rap indus- uality are common in mainstream media. stockings. The deep try. Women receive Being able to dance or sing along to a bass of their song a disproportionate song uncensored in sexual content is em“WAP” pounds in the It might not seem imamount of criticism powering to women who feel constantly background. than they deserve on scrutinized by the standards set upon them portant, but it is beWhen the song the basis of their gen- by modern society. was released on Aug. 7, cause it normalizes der. Paly junior Marilyn Yin enjoys listenthe world stopped for female sexuality and “Men demon- ing to female rappers because their songs a second. Raking up ize Black women give a voice to women, allowing them to 93 million streams in allows for other girls to constantly in their celebrate their sexuality and break from the its first week, Cardi B feel comfortable.” songs,” Mitchell sense of shame cultural norms have imand Megan Thee Stalsaid. “People hate on posed upon them. — MARILYN YIN, junior Black women all the lion captured sexuality, “It [music from female rappers] might empowerment, confitime … that’s why as not seem important, but it is because it dence and opulence in three minutes and a Black woman you can’t seem aggressive at normalizes female sexuality and allows for seven seconds. It’s safe to say the world was all because you don’t other girls to feel comlistening, but amid the love for an empow- wanna be perceived fortable,” Yin said. ering anthem was a problem Black women that way. Any note of Any note of confiWhile Megan in rap always face: blatant misogyny. confidence or power dence or power is Thee Stallion, Cardi B is seen as aggression and Nicki Minaj have Backlash in the industry and anger to society.” seen as aggression become household The worldwide popularity of “WAP” One hater of the and anger to society.” names, women are still shined a light on the way women who song is James Bradley, fighting to be heard — JAELYN MITCHELL, junior and respected within proudly present their sexuality are received a Republican running poorly by the public. However, this is noth- for the House in Calrap, as well as in the ing new — double standards are prevalent ifornia’s 33rd District. Bradley tweeted, broader music industry. within the entire music business and espe- “Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion are what “You got all these guy rappers out here cially within the rap industry. happens when children are raised without who ain’t really talking about a lot, but we “A man can talk about how he’s about God and without a strong father figure. all would commend them, as many as they to do all of these drugs and then come and Their new ‘song’ The #WAP (which i heard come,” Megan Thee Stallion said in an inshoot your house up,” Megan Thee Stal- accidentally) made me want to pour holy terview with Billboard Magazine. “So I was lion said in an interview with Marie Claire. water in my ears and I feel sorry for future really excited that a lot of women got their “But as soon as I say something about my girls if this is their role model!” shine this year.” v
“
“
VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 43
