Feminism and Hip Hop Conference
DATE: Thursday, April 7-Saturday, April 9, 2005
TIME: See conference schedule
LOCATION: See conference schedule
In today’s increasingly mediated environment hip hop remains the most pronounced cultural identifier for young Americans regardless of gender, class or ethnicity. Alongside its various aesthetic contributions, the culture operates as a springboard for discourse surrounding the politics, desires, and activities of today’s youth and young adults. And while a substantial literature has emerged detailing the history and the current cultural domination of hip hop, there has also developed substantial writing and some research warning of the possible negative impact of hip hop culture on young African Americans, stemming from its focus and promotion of sex, drugs, crime, misogyny, consumerism and nihilism. It has been argued by commentators and casual observers that the imagery and lyrics of popular rap music and videos normalizes or even promotes the degradation of women, especially Black women. And while such opinions are expressed readily in newspapers, magazines and general conversation, there has existed little opportunity for extended discussion, research and debate to seriously explore such claims.
The Center for the Study of Race, Politics and Culture has decided to host this national conference on the topic of hip hop and feminism as an attempt to provide the needed space for debate and discussion about the impact of hip hop culture on the sexual, gender and racial understandings of young people around the world. This conference will provide a forum for scholars, students, artists, activists, community members, and members of the media interested in analyzing the relevance of feminist agendas to the hip hop generation. This event will also highlight the work of scholars, activists and artists across the country who are fighting for progressive representations of women in hip hop culture as they reshape feminist discourse and politics.
Confirmed participants include: Moya Bailey, Yvonne Bynoe, Hazel Carby, Rosa Clemente, Alison Duke, Melyssa Ford, Farah Jasmine Griffin, Tamika Guishard, Beverly Guy-Sheftall, Byron Hurt, Cheryl Keyes, Felicia Miyakawa, Jessica Care Moore, Joan Morgan, Marcyliena Morgan, Mark Anthony Neal, Kim Osorio, Imani Perry, Gwendolyn Pough, Rachel Raimist, Rokafella, Tricia Rose, and Akiba Solomon. To view bios on the participants, click here.
This event is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required. To register, click here. The deadline for registration is March 18, 2005. For additional information about the conference contact the Center for the Study of Race, Politics and Culture at (773) 702-8063 or csrpc@uchicago.edu. If you are a member of the press who would like to cover the conference, please click here. Persons with disabilities who may need assistance should contact the Center in advance of the event.
The “Feminism and Hip Hop” conference is made possible in part by a grant from the Illinois Humanities Council, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Illinois General Assembly. The views expressed during the conference do not necessarily represent those of the Illinois Humanities Council or the National Endowment for the Humanities or the Illinois General Assembly.
The event is also supported by a UChicagoArts grant from the Arts Planning Council at the University of Chicago. Additional funding for the conference was provided by the Andrew and Gail Brown Fund for Undergraduate Initiatives, the Center for Gender Studies, the Committee on Cinema and Media Studies, the Department of Music, Division of the Humanities, Franke Institute for the Humanities, the International House Global Voices Program, the Office of Minority Student Affairs, and University Theater.
Conference Schedule
Conference Online Registration
View Participant Bios
View the Poster
HipHop Feminism Egroup
Additional Information
Accommodations
Direction to the University of Chicago
Parking Near
Campus
Neighborhood
Dining (Hyde Park)
City of Chicago Guide
