Abstract

In this thesis I investigate the portrayal of women in Hip Hop as either a sista' or a ho, a dichotomy that mirrors the Freudian Madonna-whore complex prevalent in Western Society. Belittled and disparaged by the sexism implied by this dichotomy, women have become victims of various forms of misogynistic abuse. Queen Latifah stands up against this misogyny, using Hip Hop in the very way it was designed to be used “as a voice for the disenfranchised“ speaking out against the sexism in Hip Hop in the same way African American males use Hip Hop against White mainstream society. She thus challenges the sista'-ho dichotomy and becomes empowered to decry gender discrimination in the same way African American males become empowered to denounce racism through the performance of Hip Hop.

Degree

College and Department

Humanities; Comparative Arts and Letters

Rights

http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/