Chapter 40 Summary: "There Are Bitches and Hoes"

Tricia Rose's chapter "There Are Bitches and Hoes" focuses on the way hip hop music portrays women as "bitches and hoes" and is extremely sexist. She discusses that many rappers brag about controlling women and promote the black pimp culture in which women are see only as sex objects. The music can also affect how other people think and act because the music promotes the idea that women have to be "bitches and hoes" in order to get attention. The hip hop music culture makes it seem as though men have to be the "black gansta" stereotype in order to gain money and fame, while women are put into the position of having to be hyper-sexual in order to make any gains at all. It is very unfortunate that music that so many people listen to reinforces these gender stereotypes and affects many people. Rose says that we have to actively work against the sexism and it can be very difficult because men and women are socialized by sexism and it is difficult to break when society rewards you for being sexist. 

Another point that this chapter brings up is that many people defend this sexism because they don’t believe it affects them or is about them. It is something that always happens and by doing nothing the hyper-sexism in hip hop music is affecting many young children.  Rose uses a quote from Byron Hurt’s Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes as an example of this; “It’s funny when I hear women say, ‘when these rappers are calling women bitches a ho’s, they’re not talking about me” (388). This may be true that the music isn’t specifically about them, but the music helps to spread the idea that women are to be controlled and sexualized. By separating themselves from these “bitches and hoes” women are allowing the sexism to continue. It is terrible that these views of women are in such popular music and many people don’t see a problem with it, but it affects the way people think about women and the “black gangsta” culture. Young people hear the music and are affected by the messages of hyper-sexualized women and it can have a negative impact.

The one thing that really stuck out to me was when Rose was discussing how we can fix all of this. She said, “We have to work hard against what destroys who we are, what prevents up from reaching our best selves and stalls our effort to create a truly just society” (390). This is important to realize, because although it may seem like it is just enjoyable music, it can put many different limits on us as people. Overall I found this chapter to be informative and eye-opening because something as simple as music can carry a huge message.