Degree Date
6-2024
Document Type
Dissertation - Public Access
Degree Name
Ph.D. Doctor of Philosophy
Academic Discipline
Community Psychology
First Advisor
Raymond Legler
Second Advisor
Suzette Fromm-Reed
Third Advisor
Judah Viola
Abstract
This dissertation, titled Shake Ya Ass, But Watch Yourself: An Intersectional and Decolonial Approach to Exploring the Sexualization of Female Recording Artists and the Empowerment of Women in the United States, critically examines the phenomenon of sexualization of women in the music industry and its impact on female empowerment. Through an intersectional and decolonial feminist lens, the study delves into the historical and socio-cultural contexts that shape the portrayal and perception of female recording artists in the United States.
The research traces the roots of feminism and the commodification of racial stereotypes through music, exploring how female empowerment has been influenced by these dynamics. It questions whether the sexualization of female artists serves as a form of empowerment or perpetuates patriarchal oppression. By analyzing contemporary examples, such as the works of Lil' Kim, Cardi B, and Megan Thee Stallion, alongside historical contexts from blues to modern hip hop, the study seeks to uncover the complexities of sexualization as both a potential tool for liberation and a mechanism of subjugation.
Empirical data is drawn from surveys with diverse participants, examining their perceptions of empowerment through sexualization. The study employs frameworks of empowerment theory, intersectional feminism, and decolonial approaches to provide a comprehensive analysis. Ultimately, it aims to understand the real impact of the sexualization of female recording artists on women's perceptions of empowerment and contribute to the discourse on gender, race, and power in the music industry.
Recommended Citation
Rebeka, H.B., "SHAKE YA ASS, BUT WATCH YOURSELF: AN INTERSECTIONAL AND DECOLONIAL APPROACH TO EXPLORING THE SEXUALIZATION OF FEMALE RECORDING ARTISTS AND THE EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES" (2024). Dissertations. 839.
https://digitalcommons.nl.edu/diss/839
Included in
Africana Studies Commons, African Languages and Societies Commons, American Studies Commons, Appalachian Studies Commons, Art Practice Commons, Community Psychology Commons, Education Commons, English Language and Literature Commons, Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commons, Film and Media Studies Commons, History Commons, History of Art, Architecture, and Archaeology Commons, Music Commons, Social Justice Commons, Social Psychology Commons