Degradation of Women in Caribbean Music Essay - 1748 Words

As one moves past the initial onslaught of rhythmic beats that calypso has to offer, it is difficult to miss the way in which it reverberates with negative and demoralizing images of women to their male counterparts. Whether it is within the lyrics of Sparrow’s â€Å"Drunk and Disorderly† or Square One’s â€Å"My Ding-a Ling†, an ample number of verses are often dedicated to making lewd comments about the female body and the suggestive body language described through thinly veiled rhymes and puns, can be offensive depending on the listener. The half naked models being displayed on the various album covers of calypso, soca and rap mix tapes further reinforces these negative connotations. This bandwagon has been jumped upon by many, including the†¦show more content†¦I observed within Manuel’s chapter titled â€Å"Music, Sex, and Sexism† that many sentiments expressed within Caribbean music reflect attitudes and values of a specific region and are products of social conditions. Family values come in to play when considering the role of importance that a male figure can impact upon his family. Many local networks of friends and family provide a sort of glue that bonds the populace in many regions throughout the Caribbean. One instance that comes to mind is a local beer and fish corner shop located in Christ Church, Barbados. Owned by a very old couple, it is a staple location that provides familiar faces to the locals of the poverty stricken beach front location. This popular hang-out spot for the locals, demonstrates the importance of humble communal connections. It can be inferred that due to the lack of monetary funds in a specific household, the interaction of a functional mother-father-child relation may not always be there. It has become increasingly common for male figures to abandon their family or to have only loose ties with their children when faced with economic hardship. It can also be infer red that this occurrence of lackadaisical family bonds transcends from earlier times of slavery which in fact diluted the role of the standard male provider. In reference to music, more specifically the calypso genre, the male and female bond as equals is communicated as being strained. ThisShow MoreRelatedThe Hip Hop Generation And Its Impact On Society1371 Words   |  6 Pagesmanifestation in many complex ways into the American influencing each genre of music leading to Hip Hop. There is a better view of how the founding fathers such as DJ Herc, and Afrika Bambaataa were attempting to accomplish by codifying Hip Hop. Hip Hop then becomes viewed from a different perspective than what has been portrayed in the Hip Hop generation via mainstream media today. (http://www.tedtalk.edu) The evolution of Hip Hop music began in South Bronx, New York in 1973 by Kool DJ Here. Later, becomingRead MoreAn Analysis Of Margot In Here Comes The Sun1319 Words   |  6 Pagesquestion. 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