Issa Rae wins emerging entrepreneur award at the WIF gala and wants you to know that she did that S**t all by herself
At the 2019, Women in Film Gala, Issa Rae gave an empowered speech about the notion of women and and social etiquette. In true Rae fashion, she spoke with frank, humorous candor and stated, very plainly, that, for far too long, women have been made to feel as though self assuredness and tenacity is unacceptable conduct. Yet, in a man, that quality is a desirable and necessary trait in navigating society seamlessly. After winning the Emerging Entrepreneur Award, she threw out those social constraints that coerce women into subjugation and an inability to truly value and celebrate your wins.
The award winning screen writer and actress, discussed gender norms, and its relation to hip hop and the disparities that social norms have had as a fan of the genre in relation to her womanhood. Epitomising all that hip hop is rooted by: bravado, the speech went a little (largely) like this: “I’m the first, so, you future hoes better bow down. You’re ready to catch my fade with your weak ass”.
As a “hip hop head”, I think back to interludes and intros that made me burst with glee. To this day they’re the lyrics I remember the most. I look at artists, like Mystikal, who exudes, just an unabashed level of swagger. Take the single, Mind of Mystikal, for instance. The beat begins; he laughs. There’s no greater flex than an artist jumping on a beat and making an incoherent utterance. I remember Drake’s Pusha T diss, Duppy Freestyle intro: “I’m in shock. The nerve, the audacity. okay” and thinking, how can you be so over something you haven’t yet started? Following it up with the deepest sigh and a singular tut. Not to mention the time on Kanye West’s Graduation album where he called the fine people of Japan Bitches for no apparent reason. “Fresh off the plane, konichiwa bitches” just because. And Jay Z. Essentially, Hip hop is rooted in sheer, unadulterated braggadocio. Which harks back to its origins. It was a sport. Groups would travel near and far to battle for titles, status; their legitimacy and to validate their right to exist within the game.
At it’s very core, it is disgustingly cloaked in toxic masculinity and heteronormativity- yes, but, now mind you, as a woman, and a lover of the genre (as mentioned, by Issa Rae) and appreciator of the skill set necessary, to not only make you feel, but to make you listen and learn; it’s a great joy for women-a like. Of course, in our subconscious, or rather, now, with growth and our ongoing process of unlearning toxicity, a huge part of being a woman, who enjoys the genre, is that yes, there will be unsavory discussions about women, and yes, it is very misogynistic, on and off stage; in the industry and around it; but, there’s something to say about the requirement of self empowerment, nonchalance and mere candor. IT has served itself in the conscious of black men, a self fulfilling prophecy of sorts. For that reason, Issa Rae has set a standard not only for women in film, but women at work, in education, in life to brag, be bold, bast about your wins and commemorate the losses, after all, men do it daily. If you don’t love yourself, than how can anyone else?
