Real with Rue

Liberation from Patriarchy.

Women and sexuality was such a taboo subject until the early 1960’s. Today, female empowerment and sexual liberation seem to be going hand in hand. More and more people are associating being sexually free, with being free from the strongholds of male patriarchy. This is the reason for the rise in the ‘Hot girl’ and ‘City girl’ movement. I believe this movement started as a way to empower women and make us feel in control of our lives and our choices. The idea behind these movements is to live a ‘carefree’ life, with little to no thought as to male opinion.

Is this the taste of freedom?

In all honesty, I was pro (and still am I) live your best life, as long as you are not hurting anyone. I have always felt some way about women being ‘controlled’ by male views. Honestly speaking, hearing ‘Women should’ rubs me up the wrong way. Although, recently I think my views have changed, as I learn more about my role as a Christian woman. Furthermore, personally have never subscribed to the idea that sexual liberation means you need to be loud, that you’re having sex. This does not mean I am anti- to the movement, but now consider myself as an observer.

Firstly, the way in which people are trying to reclaim derogatory words such as ‘Hoe’ has failed. These words had taken these terms and you often see in music videos with women being sexually open and its seen that it promotes being promiscuous as a good thing.

However, in real life, people (including us women) use these same terms against other women. By name calling each other hoes in arguments and shaming others for a similar lifestyle, but the same lifestyle they sing about. It appears you can only be a ‘hoe’ and sexually free within marriage, which to me defeats the point and actually supports patriarchy by censorship.

The younger generation:

I think the greatest change in my view is due to having a younger sister, who loves TikTok dance crazes. She pours her heart and soul into learning new dance routines, (Instead of her to focus on her books). Recently, when WAP came out, I did not think TikTok would create dance moves as the song was super explicit. When they did and I was shocked seeing children so young replicating sexual moves, which made me feel uncomfortable. I personally think that it sends the wrong impression of female empowerment and exposure to sex at a young age. I believe that children should be protected from certain things, before their time in a hyper-sexualised world.

If in doubt, make music for shaking bum

Another reason is because I’ve realised; it’s all a facade and really places (Black) Women into a box. It appears as if to be popular, or the music I’ve seen be most popular is the sexual content. Take Cardi B, I really loved a song called ‘Be careful’ and she reported people were annoyed she included this as its not her brand.

This does not mean I disagree with women choosing to make such music, but it is now easier to be popular by going singing songs about twerking and description of sexual acts. The problem maybe down to the consumer, as a society this is what we now prefer to hear from most women, and if theres a demand, I guess someone has to be a supplier.

It’s been real,

Rue x