Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion just dropped one of the sexiest, steamiest songs and videos to come from a female rap duo. Here is the issue…
There’s Some Hoes In This House! There’s Some Hoes In This House!
WAP starts off with a provocative chant that sets the stage for the rest of the song. In an age where more and more women are owning and proclaiming their sexuality, here’s why the song and video got me to the point of writing this blog post.
I have seen a range of reactions from men and women to the song. Some folks support it, some folks just critique the artistic direction and cameo appearances, some folks think it is shameful and disgusting. And everybody is entitled to their opinion.
However, one thing is for sure, the song has served as a starting point for a social conversation about women’s sexuality and its place in modern day culture.
What do I think? Personally, it’s upsetting me and my homegirls (reference to the phrase here) to see other people so up in arms about what grown women choose to do with their bodies. Women’s bodies have been policed long enough and I think it’s time we all just accept these 3 things:
1. Women Are Sexual Beings (GASP!)
I think it goes without saying, but: Women have reproductive systems. People are born because women have sex and use their reproductive systems to grow and birth them.
Now that we’ve got THAT part out of the way…
Sex isn’t new. Unfortunately, neither is the misogyny that comes along with sexual expression.
Yes, women get aroused. Yes, women desire sex. Yes, women need language and context to communicate those desires.
Being sexual is part of being a human being and perhaps the bigger issue is that women are still not seen as fully human.
We are still seen as accessories to men’s fantasies and pleasure. We are not allowed to have our own, especially when they are outside of the request of a man.
Women should be able to express their sexuality in whatever way they choose without losing respect for their humanity.
Sexuality is a different experience for everyone and if someone’s expression doesn’t match yours, it’s okay and if it’s not okay, well then…
2. Your Reaction Is More About You Than Them
What a grown adult chooses to do with their body has no affect on what you do with yours. Freedom of choice is a God-given right to all of us and yet, some people get offended when other people choose differently than them.
If something is of no direct harm to you or anyone else and it offends you, it’s time to do some soul searching.
Ask yourself:
1. Is this harmful to me or others?
2. If not, why am I so upset by it?
You may find that there are unresolved issues in your life, unlearning that needs to take place, or it’s really not an issue at all because at the the end of the day you can…
3. Do With It What You Will
Again, as an adult, you have agency. It’s a beautiful thing. No one is forcing you to play the song or (hate) watch the video.
As it relates to children, there is content that is purposed for children and content that is purposed for adults.
An artist is not your child’s parent. It is the responsibility of the parent to monitor their child’s media intake and shield them from sexual content, if that is their choice.
If you don’t like the song, don’t play it. If you don’t like the video, don’t watch it. But PLEASE don’t hate comment to those that do. You’re wasting your time.
And that’s just how I feel.
+*<3,
Ms. Melody Monroe