You might've already seen the video for Lupe Fiasco's single "Bitch Bad," since it's been out for about a week now (if you haven't yet, take a look below). That's enough time for the video to get over half a million views and counting on Youtube, and for plenty of viewers to chime in on a complex conversation about the kind of message Lupe's sending. It seems that the question comes down to this: should the artist be hailed as some kind of hero for speaking up against hip-hop culture's tradition of disrespecting women? Or is he out of line in his approach, actually demeaning women as he claims to honor them?

Full disclosure: I enter this conversation as a longtime fan of Lupe Fiasco's work, particularly because of the way he challenges the status quo, breaking away from the misogynistic attitudes found in so many mainstream hip-hop songs.

But I'm also not one to give somebody a pass simply because they have good intentions. Addressing misogyny is a complicated matter, and it's possible for Lupe to make mistakes. It can be hard to discuss the issue in hip-hop without falling to one extreme or the other – how can we criticize the objectification of women's bodies without contributing to ideas based in shame around black women's sexuality? Is it possible to have this conversation while thinking outside of the virgin/whore dichotomy?

Some argue that with "Bitch Bad," a song that sets up a hierarchy of women (“bitch bad/woman good/lady better"), Lupe speaks against misogyny from the wrong angle, by slut-shaming, and by honoring only a certain type of woman – the chaste, mother-figure type.

I'm following my usual habit of seeing this conversation as more complex than just one conclusion or the other. Sure, Lupe's video misses a few parts of the complicated issue. But he also does a few things right, starting with the fact that he's willing to create this concept and contribute to a conversation about the issue in the first place. I agree with Akiba Solomon and Rahiel Tesfamariam on this one (and I link to their articles because I believe they've said it all already, and better than I can say it myself). It's not enough to have good intentions alone, but it's a good start, better than starting from a place of maintaining the problematic status quo.

Here's the video, so you can take a look and decide for yourself where the message lands. What do you think?

QWOC Media Wire has a great article on The Lost Bois, a queer music duo that uses hip-hop beats, jazz styles and insightful lyrics to make some powerful music. In their own words, "We write, we sing, we speak for people like us: queers, dykes, black folks, brown folks, to dance, to fuck, to smile, laugh at and along with." Read more: The Lost Bois: Transforming Queer Hip Hop through Black Feminism.
 
The Lost Bois have a dynamic style, so their songs range from fun to thoughtful to sensual, or all of the above. They work hard, so it can take a while to get the full range. I'll just leave these here to get you started. Enjoy.

Today's the last of CUAV's Fall Wellness Wednesdays, until we resume on January 11, 2012. From 4-8 pm, LGBTQ survivors of violence can join us for healing, art, food and fun. Visit CUAV's website for location and details. 

One of the great things about Wellness Wednesdays is that everyone is free to come as you are. That means any and all types of backgrounds, sexualities, genders, in any mood, at any point in your healing journey. Come with a smile on your face, or tears on your cheeks. Come searching for community or just seeking some dinner.

Some of us have no choice but to come as we are, to any place. No matter how hard we try to hide, our truth emerges, whether it's in the quiver at the edges of a forced smile or in the colors of a piece of art. I'm not always bold enough to make my truth immediately visible, but I draw strength from those who do.

This makes me think of a film I've seen - "Pick Up the Mic" is a documentary that shows that the term "queer hip-hop artist" is no oxy moron. And although mainstream hip-hop may be full of hetero-normative expectations and even homophobic attitudes, the artists featured in this film are bold enough to come to the stage as they are. It's an inspirational reminder that opening our lens to the whole range of diversity in any field creates a beautiful picture.

Here's the trailer for "Pick Up the Mic." You can watch the whole film for free on Hulu here.