Sexist or not?

1. Sexist or not? Ashley Lovett Yazmin Gonzalez Sean Brasel Jaime Guzman

2. Sexism • Sexism is defined as discrimination based on gender, in particular prejudice toward women and behaviors that promote stereotyping of social roles based on gender

3. Our project For our project we chose the top 5 songs from 4 different genres of music. We found these songs at Billboard.com. Looking at the top 5 songs gave us an understanding of which genres used sexism in their lyrics the most. The genres used were Hip Hop and R&B, Pop, Country, and Rock. Although some parts of this project were straightforward, we found this much harder than we had planned for.

4. Why we chose the focus of songs We chose to focus on song lyrics for: • We felt that we would all enjoy the subject • Felt we had a lot to work with • We all shared the interest in music • We felt that sexism is present in such a large part of the music we listen to today

5. Songs used for the project HIP HOP AND R&B • It Kills Me by Melanie Fiona • How Low by Ludacris • BedRock by Young Money Featuring Lloyd • Say Aah by Trey Songz Featuring Fabolous • Say Something by Timbaland Featuring Drake COUNTRY • American Honey by Lady Antebellum • Highway 20 Ride by Zac Brown Band • Gimmie That Girl by Joe Nichols • Ain't Back Yet by Kenny Chesney • The Man I Want To Be by Chris Young ROCK • Between The Lines by Stone Temple Pilots • Your Decision by Alice In Chains • Savior by Rise Against • Uprising by Muse • The Good Life by Three Days Grace POP • In My Head by Jason Derulo • Rude Boy by Rihanna • Need You Now by Lady Antebellum • Telephone by Lady Gaga Featuring Beyonce • Hey, Soul Sister by Train

6. How do we determine? We felt it was important to have the same set of rules for each individual song. In order to do this we made a checklist that we used for the lyrics to each song. If the song had any one of the following it should be labeled sexist. • One gender using derogatory terms/language which undermines the other gender • One gender is talked about in higher position, more powerful • Stereotyping one gender • Comparing a gender to an object

7. As mentioned before, determining if a song was sexist or not was actually much more of a challenge than we were planning on. Although it seems as if it would be straight forward, many of the songs drew a fine line between simply talking about sex or being sexist. This problem was found especially in the Hip Hop and R&B genre and the Pop genre.

8. Lets all try Using the checklist provided, determine if the song is sexist or talking about sex. After everyone has come to a decision, we will discuss as a class.

9. Lyrics from pop genre:Rude boyRhianna Come here rude boy, boy Can you get it up Come here rude boy, boy Is you big enough Take it, take it Baby, baby Take it, take it Love me, love me

10. We determined… Although there is a fine line between talking about sex and being sexist, because the words are intimidating, and put the female position higher than the males, we determined this song was sexist. “Can you get it up” “Is you big enough” “take it” • One gender using derogatory terms/language which undermines the other gender • One gender is talked about in higher position, more powerful • Stereotyping one gender • Comparing a gender to an object

11. Lyrics from pop genre:Rude boyRhianna Tonight I'mma let it be fire Tonight I'mma let you take me higher Tonight Baby we can get it on, yeah We can get it on, yeah

12. We determined… Although it is clear that these lyrics are referring to sex, when looking back to the checklist, the lyrics didn’t fit any of the requirements. Therefore we determined this song was not sexist. • One gender using derogatory terms/language which undermines the other gender • One gender is talked about in higher position, more powerful • Stereotyping one gender • Comparing a gender to an object

13. Lyrics from pop genre:In My HeadJason Derulo Just stay with me now. Say the word and well go. I'll be your teacher. I'll show you the ropes. You'll see a side of love you've never known. I can see it going down, going down.

14. We determined… Although most of the lyrics shown seem harmless, we found the lyrics to still put the male position higher than the females, we determined this song was sexist. “I'll be your teacher. I'll show you the ropes” • One gender using derogatory terms/language which undermines the other gender • One gender is talked about in higher position, more powerful • Stereotyping one gender • Comparing a gender to an object

15. Lyrics from Hip Hop and R&B Lyricsgenre:How LowLudacris But if you come to the crib, Then I might show you girls a thang or two, Yea I think you a superstar wit a** like that you gotta blow, Before you make it big, Theres just one thing I gotta know How low can you go?

16. We determined… When referring back to the checklist it was clear that this song hit on more than one requirement, therefore we labeled this song as sexist. “With an a** like that you gotta blow” “I might show you girls a thang or 2” • One gender using derogatory terms/language which undermines the other gender • One gender is talked about in higher position, more powerful • Stereotyping one gender • Comparing a gender to an object

17. Lyrics from Hip Hop and R&B Lyricsgenre:BedRockYoung Money Featuring Lloyd Baby, I be stuck to you like glue baby wanna spend it all on you baby my room is the g-spot call me mr.flintstone I can make your bed rock

18. We determined… Although it is clear that some parts of these lyrics are referring to sex, when looking back to the checklist, the lyrics didn’t fit any of the requirements. Therefore we determined this song was not sexist. • One gender using derogatory terms/language which undermines the other gender • One gender is talked about in higher position, more powerful • Stereotyping one gender • Comparing a gender to an object

19. conclusion • Pop & Hip-Hop R&b were the most sexist • Gender representations in the media promote sexism without the public being aware