This is for the Guys! How do you feel about overly exposed women of today on the hip hop screen?

It's sad because the rappers and those who produce those mtv's are exploiting the women to sell the product. The downside is, it's the women not the product that gets noticed. This exploitation is not exlusive to african-american women but to women in general and the perpetrators are not only the rap artists. The 'Amazing' video for example, clearly cashed in on the sensuality of the then very young Alicia Silverstone which I find unnecessary since the song per se is okay with or without her.

I might be in a minority of video watchers, but personally I hate it. I mean, when it's done right (that is, with taste and not just for its own sake), it can be appealing. But lately these "artists" are throwing as many of these women onto the screen just to get you to watch their video, even though the song kind of sucks.

Besides that, there is the problem that it objectifies women; that it is contributing to the overall idea in our culture that only a certain body type is beautiful; that beautiful women are to be seen and not heard, and that they are trophies we men get once we just get rich enough, and that the richer you are, the hotter your girl should be, as a status symbol. It contributes to the idea that women are out there in the world just to gratify the sexual or ego-based needs of men. And it's a little too close to the idea of the harem, that the rich and powerful can round up all the available beautiful women for themselves and leave the rest of the men out there spanking it and angry, an idea that's very undemocratic. I have problems with this whole mindset that overlooks what's really in people, and that focusses on a philosophy of material gain and macho posturing over nearly all else.

You can't take it with you...

Your impression of the Hip Hop society is not accurate in that you lump bad behavior towards women with all male performers. Its not just Rappers (blacks) but many men who have slipped back into ancient times where women are possessions and lower humans. Perhaps the women feel that way or can not protest because of economics. To correct this mistreatment women and other men must get back to common decency and courtesy towards each other.

Spartawo...

The rap videos are made that way to sell and its not just rap videos its alot of the videos to sell. I would hope men arent foolish enough to believe women are all like that. I do not believe that for one bit. Maybe if you are maybe 15 years old and cannot seperate reality from make believe. Other then that I think men do know the difference. Just like women realizing there are alot of men that dont come close to the portrayal of men in the same videos. In reality men wake up with hair tossled they burp and belch and that is reality. Women know this as well.

I don't get offended because I am not the stank in the video. There's enough positive role models in the Black community that there's NO NEED to be defined by the portrayal of "some" woman in the hip hop culture. That's THEM, not me. If they aren't talking to me I don't care what they say. I can pick and choose what I listen to. My own personal actions determines how I get treated, and I demand respect.

I'm no connoisseur of hip hop, but it seems to me that somewhere between 90% and 99.9% of rap and hip hop music is degrading and derrogatory toward women. It strips them of their minds, talents, and personalities and portrays them as nothing but objects for sexual gratification.

I don't see how men who listen such music can claim to respect women. I don't see why women would beleive such a claim. I don't see why women who listen to it can expect to be respected.

You can't surround yourself with negetive influences and pretend to be unaffected. You become the music you listen to, the shows you watch and the people you surround yourself with.

That's their mentality, we can't change it. Ofcource people who like hip-hop, they will follow these words. But the whole world is not hip-hop. We guys who are answering your question are different. So do not think that we also look at you that way.

But if you follow the fashion of hip-hop video girls on the street, then that is the consequences. We can't change that.

I feel that black women should have more pride, dignity, and respect for themselves. They don't have to pop there coochy like they are trying to prove something to a man. And a man have less respect for the women when she's out there in publicly like that. Its not just black women its white, latino's etc...I would love to have a fine black women who shows respect for herself, you know just kinda get back to the basics. I think also that the black man is using them as prostitutes, there body in the media for their fat pockets. Shame, shame, shame.

I think its horrible. I often get told "I treat women with TOO much respect" even by women! But I think 100% equality is the way it should be.

I agree, treat your women and girls with respect, treat your men and boys with respect, too