This analysis of Nicky Minaj videos

[msrisotto]

Nicki Minaj's ass and feminism

I watched this and was really surprised at how much I did NOT agree with what these women were saying. I respect their credentials and opinions but I cannot get on board with ideas like how great it is that Nicky Minaj is expressing her sexuality as black women's sexuality is so problematic to society. Women of any race are hyper sexualised in the media. She's playing into it, not controlling it IMO. That might be a more effective argument if ONE of her videos was sexually out there and explicit, but it's EVERY video!

The women who introduced the piece started to make an excellent point about how black women in the media were/are portrayed - animalistic, unrapeable and circus freakish - but doesn't go on to critique how Nicky Minaj reinforces those stereotypes.

I dunno, maybe I shouldn't have expected less as it is Jezebel, but some of those commentators were professors of womens studies at Universities. I thought they would have been more critical.

Am I missing a good point here?

[Cocoaone]

I agree - although my thoughts/feelings are laced with doubts. As a white female I obviously have no idea about the culture surrounding black women, especially American black women. But to me there is a difference between owning your sexuality and getting implants (breast and ass) in order to become a caricature of the culture. I don't think she's a good role model to women - she raps about being a 'boss' but then links it to her ass.

[Badonna]

I though NM was British? But that doesn't really matter.

When I was younger, I did find it exciting to wear revealing clothing and be leered at by men. I cringe thinking back, but I truly believed it was part of my unique sexy persona. (Yuck, yuck, yuck in retrospect. I imagine I'd been groomed by the culture we live in. Or am I making excuses for myself? Talking in circles?)

It has struck me a lot recently, how very very impressionable and eager to please young women are. This isn't a new insight, but the sheer level of it is something I can see clearly all around me. Of course, young men are impressionable, too. But what I see is both young women AND young men being used by older menvery much including those men involved in the mass media/marketing/music and film businessto keep the patriarchy firmly in place.

I guess my point is that I believe women like Nicky Minaj may truly think they are empowered by allowing themselves to become sexual objects. Perhaps because that is the only avenue for grabbing a little bit of "power" that society has ever made visible and viable. Perhaps for other reasons.

Personally, I find the entire idea of power distasteful. But I guess that is a-whole-nother discussion.

[msrisotto]

I guess I don't want to criticise her, I don't see much point in that but I object to the idea that it is empowering or really under her control.

[FayKorgasm]

I think this is a unique sort of feminism,a sort of inoffensive, strong women but not really because we need a man, oh look heres my vagina sort of feminism that is watered down to appease American conservativeness. It seems to be quite an American thing. Lots of very strong feminist black African women or black Caribbean women or black anywhere women who don't need to portray this man titillation. Does anyone get what I mean? Like Beyonce gives this whole feminist girls run the world attitude but is basically a puppet of her husbands management.

[diamonds4me]

Yes faykorgasm I agree and thought I was the only one that thought that about Beyonce. She seems so strong, and all about girl power, then has to remove some of her clothes in her videos and be hyper sexualised? Which changes the meaning.

How many male singers/boy bands sing with just their pants on? The answer- not many, because they would be ridiculed and not taken seriously by other men. Men have to be respected for what they do, sing, women have to sing and titilate the men in the media as well.

[BertieBotts]

Totally agree, House and Fay.