Ashley Judd Condemns Misogynistic Rap & Hip Hop, Then Takes It Back
In her newly released memoir, All That Is Bitter and Sweet, actress and Democrat Ashley Judd condemned rap and hip-hop music "with its rape culture and insanely abusive lyrics and depictions of girls and women as 'ho's'" as "the contemporary soundtrack of misogyny."
Predictably, Judd has experienced a backlash from rap and hip-hop artists for her statements. From the looks of it, no one directly disputes Judd's characterization of the genres as misogynistic, but rappers don't appreciate being singled out. The Roots drummer Questo, for example, contends that "EVERY genre of music has elements of violence."
But instead of standing her ground and refuting the bogus claim that every genre of music is violent -- can anyone legitimately argue that classical, opera, jazz, folk, and country music contain violence? -- Judd has issued a lengthy mea culpa in which she states:
I fully capitulate to your rightness, and again humbly offer my heartfelt amends for not having been able to see the fault in my writing, and not having anticipated it would be painful for so many.
Thumbs up to Judd for taking her initial stand against the misogyny promoted by the rap and hip hop genres. Thumbs down for her embarrassing capitulation.
(h/t NY Mag)
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Comments :
Jan '11
Re: Ashley Judd Condemns Misogynistic Rap & Hip Hop, Then Takes It Back
"I fully capitulate to your rightness" to a rap star?
Kent Brockman, call your office!
Jan '11
Re: Ashley Judd Condemns Misogynistic Rap & Hip Hop, Then Takes It Back
I really hate it when I can't anticipate that something I say or write might be so hurtful and painful to people I consider to be violent, misogynistic rapists.
Jul '10
Re: Ashley Judd Condemns Misogynistic Rap & Hip Hop, Then Takes It Back
"...painful for so many."??
I can just imagine all those hip hop "artists" moping around their cribs, shedding copious tears of anguish.
Tragic.
Jul '10
Re: Ashley Judd Condemns Misogynistic Rap & Hip Hop, Then Takes It Back
Of course, there is the 1812 Overture, with those gratuitously violent cannon...
Sep '10
Re: Ashley Judd Condemns Misogynistic Rap & Hip Hop, Then Takes It Back
For partisans like Judd, party always trumps principle, no matter how embarrassing. What a putz.
Oct '10
Re: Ashley Judd Condemns Misogynistic Rap & Hip Hop, Then Takes It Back
Have you read the book Diane? What do you think of it?
You know this reminds me of a similar issue regarding Islam. There's a fear of criticizing extreme aspects of it due to the potential backlash that it could cause. The irony is that it proves the criticism legitimate, the implicit assumption being that they ARE violent and that we don't want to provoke them.
I'm laughing considering the idea of a news headline: "Man shoots up local bank; Incited to violence by Goldberg Variations."
Jul '10
Re: Ashley Judd Condemns Misogynistic Rap & Hip Hop, Then Takes It Back
From her apology:
Hip-hop and rap—which are distinct from one another, although kin—stand for a lot more than a beat and vibe. They represent more than I, an outsider, has the right to articulate.
Jan '11
Re: Ashley Judd Condemns Misogynistic Rap & Hip Hop, Then Takes It Back
And then there's Cab Calloway's Minnie the Moocher. "Hi-Di-Hi-Di-Hi-Di-Ho"? Rank misogyny!
Edited on Apr 12, 2011 at 10:52amDec '10
Re: Ashley Judd Condemns Misogynistic Rap & Hip Hop, Then Takes It Back
"every genre of music has elements of violence." When I watched Lance's posting this morning of "Ode to Joy" I just went off into a rage, trashed my house and shot at the police when they arrived. It happens every time...
Jan '11
Re: Ashley Judd Condemns Misogynistic Rap & Hip Hop, Then Takes It Back
Well, in opera there's often a lot of bodies scattered around at the end, and Mozart's operas contain some elements of misogyny here and there . . . .
However, I'm unable to recall the use of the word "ho" in any libretto.
May '10
Re: Ashley Judd Condemns Misogynistic Rap & Hip Hop, Then Takes It Back
Who is Ashley Judd, and what does she do?
Dec '10
Re: Ashley Judd Condemns Misogynistic Rap & Hip Hop, Then Takes It Back
I think she's now become the latest useful idiot.
Re: Ashley Judd Condemns Misogynistic Rap & Hip Hop, Then Takes It Back
Palaeologus: From her apology:
Hip-hop and rap—which are distinct from one another, although kin—stand for a lot more than a beat and vibe. They represent more than I, an outsider, has the right to articulate. · Apr 12 at 10:41am
I has no right to articulate...
Ouch.
Jun '10
Re: Ashley Judd Condemns Misogynistic Rap & Hip Hop, Then Takes It Back
"...can anyone legitimately argue that classical, opera, jazz, folk, and country music contain violence?"
They absolutely all contain violence. The difference is....they don't celebrate it. They explore it as part of the human condition. They deliver a moral message, or, at the very least, invite us to give it some thought.
Chris Thiele sums up bluegrass in three words: Whiskey, Murder, Jesus.
It's probably hard to find an opera without violence. Does a country album exist without a song or two involving violence? I doubt it. Irish traditional ballads are famous for tales of war and rebellion. But they aren't singing about maids grinding their pelvises.
Dec '10
Re: Ashley Judd Condemns Misogynistic Rap & Hip Hop, Then Takes It Back
Holding Hip-Hop accountable for Rap is about as ridiculous as holding Rock N Roll accountable for Death Metal. Any genre of music is going to have sub-genres who distinctions are meaningless to people that don't listen to the music. That doesn't mean that upon being educated about the difference one shouldn't acknowledge it.
How is labeling all of Hip Hop "the contemporary soundtrack of misogyny" because N.W.A any less ignorant that calling all of Rock "the devil's soundtrack" because of Marilyn Manson and Slayer?
Edited on Apr 12, 2011 at 11:12amFeb '11
Re: Ashley Judd Condemns Misogynistic Rap & Hip Hop, Then Takes It Back
StickerShock: "...can anyone legitimately argue that classical, opera, jazz, folk, and country music contain violence?"
They absolutely all contain violence. The difference is....they don't celebrate it. They explore it as part of the human condition. They deliver a moral message, or, at the very least, invite us to give it some thought.
Chris Thiele sums up bluegrass in three words: Whiskey, Murder, Jesus.
It's probably hard to find an opera without violence. Does a country album exist without a song or two involving violence? I doubt it. Irish traditional ballads are famous for tales of war and rebellion. But they aren't singing about maids grinding their pelvises. · Apr 12 at 10:55
I can't say it any better than that, StickerShock.
Feb '11
Re: Ashley Judd Condemns Misogynistic Rap & Hip Hop, Then Takes It Back
Ajax Telamônios
And then there's Cab Calloway's Minnie the Moocher. "Hi-Di-Hi-Di-Hi-Di-Ho"? Rank misogyny! · Apr 12 at 10:43am
Edited on Apr 12 at 10:52 am
There is an old Hebrew children's song with an English version that begins "Here we go, with spade and hoe." A two-fer.
Re: Ashley Judd Condemns Misogynistic Rap & Hip Hop, Then Takes It Back
Judd's capitulation underscores the fact that Hollywood personalities really, really want and need to be liked. Their careers depend on this more than anything else, which is why they never say anything controversial. And on occasion, when they let something controversial slip, they immediately apologize.
Of course, there are notable exceptions...right here on Ricochet!
Sep '10
Re: Ashley Judd Condemns Misogynistic Rap & Hip Hop, Then Takes It Back
Alternate title for this post:
Le Donne E Mobile
Oct '10
Re: Ashley Judd Condemns Misogynistic Rap & Hip Hop, Then Takes It Back
Diane Ellis, Ed.
Palaeologus: From her apology:
Hip-hop and rap—which are distinct from one another, although kin—stand for a lot more than a beat and vibe. They represent more than I, an outsider, has the right to articulate. · Apr 12 at 10:41am
I has no right to articulate...
Ouch. · Apr 12 at 10:54am
Does she has the right to gradulate?