Freedom of Expression - Revisited

The other day I spent a few hours watching the top 50 Hip Hop videos of all time, in the opinion of that particular music channel, of course. I found some of the videos were so predictable i.e. half-naked girls prancing around or writhing their backsides; and the guys driving around in their cars. I didn't watch the videos till the bitter end though as it was getting really late and I needed my beauty sleep.

The next day, my brother and I discussed Hip Hop songs and videos. He said the way women are being portrayed on these videos must be degrading to women. I said while I find a lot of them predictable, laughable even, I never find them offensive. He said a lot of men wouldn't like their girlfriends or wives being portrayed as sexual objects and yet they don't mind watching girls on these videos. I said that maybe if guys stopped seeing women as the Madonna/whore and see their partners as having different attributes, they might not feel the need for those videos. I know I have different aspects of myself: masculine and feminine. That's why a part of me likes chick flicks like Pretty Woman while at the same time loving macho films like Top Gun. I reckon it's my male side that enjoys these kinds of videos. :-) I am also a sexual being who enjoys expressing her sexuality and have no problem seeing others doing the same.

While we were chatting, we were riding in my brother's car and he had the radio switched on to a channel that specialises in RnB and Hip Hop music. The host and a guest were discussing Hip Hop videos. The DJ said it was about time society tackled these derogatory images of women. I thought it was hilarious that our conversation was being mirrored back at us.

I didn't agree with the DJ and host. My view is that if I don't like something, I simply don't watch it. I don't see the point watching something I don't like so I can complain about it.

I also believe that when I try to put limits on how someone should express themselves, I am putting that limit on myself.

If I want to be free, I need to give others the same freedom to be and explore what life means for them.

I release all to their good.

Enocia

Related articles: The Problem with Oneness; God Helps Those Who Help Themselves - Revisited; The Problem with Censorship; Freedom of Expression; On Being a Maverick; What is Freedom?; Your Box is Empty; Be True to Yourself; Cut the Ties that Bind; Consideration