“No
action is unmotivated”
-Political communication (Dan
F. Hahn)
Sex,
sexuality, civilization and conflict have walked hand in hand since man became
the rational animals we are today. Described as a mystic union by some, a
sacred act by others and something unclean by many, sex has always been a
driving force of humanity. Before
artificial methods and adoption became chic, we got down and produced children
the old fashioned way. In fact entire cults (really spiritual ways of life) are
dedicated to the cultivation of this natural force. As celebrated as sex is, it is also a source
of great confusion and pain. But why?
Power,
specifically political power, is a goal of various groups of people or governments. Power is not gender specific. Systems designed and acted out by man
consolidate power. Patriarchy, matriarchy, Shaira law, etc are simply systems
of political expression or repression depending on who is on top. In the end politics is a human thing. As such, sexuality is a means of political expression,
and on a more personal scale cultural transmission.
In
truth you can learn so much by observing how people of a specific culture view
sexuality. For instance sexuality in a predominantly Christian country is
strikingly different than in an Islamic country. Indeed as a culture transforms, sexuality is
often a catalyst or a by product of that generations’ differing view and
movement. So much of our views on sex
and war come from our culture. To each man or woman there is a personal outlook
on war and sex. However, when examined deeply enough components of each persons
view are found to be shared throughout the culture he or she belongs to. This is expressed in a variety of ways. For example many Muslim women wear the hijab
to conform to Islamic law as decreed in the Quran. In addition to following
their law, the hijab adds a sense of modesty and empowerment to female Muslims.
By
deciding to wear or not wear the
hijab, a woman effectively takes control of her sexuality at the individual
level, while at the same time maintaining her position in the overall culture
of Islam. Of course this is only half the story, well in all actuality
33%. The other 66% is the male view of
women in Islam and the rest of the world’s view of the interaction of both man
and woman.
In regards to power, religion historically has used morality to
control the minds of the people thereby coalescing political power in their
hands. Often sex and sexuality come under attack as religious leaders seek
power. Case in point: “
As a result of original sin, human nature
is weakened in its powers; subject to ignorance, suffering, and the domination
of death; and inclined to sin. We therefore hold, with the Council of Trent, that original sin
is transmitted with human nature ‘by propagation’.” That is taken verbatim
form the Catechism of the Catholic Church, arguably the biggest religion in the
world.
“To propagate means for a man and woman to engage in coitus, which then
results in the woman becoming pregnant” (Clayton Sullivan). Shape peoples
morals and it becomes easy to shape them to your will.
Taking
from Nietzsche: “In contrast to
laisser-aller, every system of moral is sorts of tyranny against “nature” and
also against “reason”, that is, however, no objection, unless one should again
decree by some system of morals, that all tyranny and unreasonableness are
unlawful. What is essential and invaluable in every system of morals, is that
it is a long constraint.” This to me, speaks to a systematized restraint
against the lower nature/behavior, resulting culture and tradition; social law
so to speak. Eventually as form families
and families form tribes, leading up to forming a nation the morals become
codified or the literal law of the land.
However the emotion of morality is
the question. In terms of politics and
sexuality what are the emotions stirred up that leads to the repression or on
the opposite spectrum liberation of the people?
One
can argue that in order to plan the oppression of people using sexuality as a
means to power certain callousness must be inherent within the character of
that person or persons implementing the scheme.
With callousness a sense of entitlement follows. After all if “we” don’t rule, chaos is sure
to follow, right? Indeed we can see evidence of this when we look at
Christianities’ view on sex and sexuality throughout the ages.
“What does such assertion indicate about
him who makes it?” (Nietzsche) More to the point what does the process used
reach these conclusions say about the character of him who says it? For example
the feminist movement started in the 19th century was to some extent
deeply polarizing in American mainstream culture. Societal constraints placed
on white women by the white male patriarchal social conduct was challenged by
there opposite-white women. The consolidation of power in the hands of white
men harkens back to and possibly beyond the puritanical age. So to speak on character, let us look at a
reasoning process.
Taking
from Chinese Taoist masters the 8 point system known as Pa-kua can shed some
light.
Chou, suan, ce, qi zhing, jie,
ganchi, sheng, bai
In order:
1)
To measure
-form and energy
2) To
calculate
-Advantage
-Disadvantage
3) To plan
4) To
scheme
5) Direct
and indirect
6) Timing
and Space
7) To
penetrate
8) Victory
and Defeat
Understand
that in order to effectively put into place policies that effect people’s
lives, those in a position to make those decisions must undergo a reasoning
process. There are many to go about it but the result is the same: factors are
considered and a decision is reached to enact policy that serves someone’s best
interest, often at the cost of another.
So
let’s look at what some have dubbed the war on woman in hip hop. First we have
record executives in charge of finding talent.
They measure the energy of
the times. Where are the current trends
heading? Who is the audience who will buy so we can become rich? Now keeping in mind that these same record
executives are in the same circles as the media moguls, (i.e. the ones who own
the television and radio stations) as well as governmental figures, a certain
type of image is required to sell, so they manufacture it. Now in order to be sure that a steady supply
of talent is available, a certain environment is needed. This is where cold calculation comes into
play.
For
instance in order to perpetuate a culture of misogamy and sexism that
translates into dollars a few things is needed. Please note there are always
exceptions and differing circumstances to be considered. But generally speaking
there are a few constants.
One:
an environment devoid of a positive, structured home front. The man must either absent or unable to
provide a safe, successful home.
Two:
The mother must be the end all be all, while at the same time be an enabler of
ignorant behavior. Often her own psyche
is damaged by the images and actions of her community resulting in a certain
culture. Usually alcoholism, drugs, rape
and violence in general are some side effects.
Now,
as music stems from life, if the daily activities and the ideal life involves
sexual promiscuity, drug abuse, self hate (gun culture), then it follows that
the music will address those things.
Indeed depending on the momentum of the people the music will either
fight against these behaviors or embrace them.
Seeing this and having a vested interest in keeping the talent
subservient to executives and the public unthinking record companies push this
by rewarding rappers liquor deals and marketing a certain vision/image in the
videos made. As children grow up
listening and viewing this type culture the behavior that is manufactured will
seek to act out the images portrayed in the sonic and concrete environments
they grow in.
Of
course in terms of sexuality, politics and warfare in hip hop the prime target
is the minds of black youth. For it is the mind that spurs the hand to spend
dollars in pursuit of a lifestyle portrayed in slickly contrived ways to our
children. Over sexualization of women,
hyper and the feminization of the males are simply direct and indirect forces
used for the goal of draining our dollars.
So
what is the future regarding sexuality and politics? As long as the character of the people “in
charge” and everyday people remain the same, domination and warfare will continue
to occur. Morality is the weapon of tyrants
indeed! For as long as the impulse to conquer each other exists there will
someone or some people that will use morals as an excuse to war; instead of an opportunity
to build bridges.
Peace.
Yet the
quirky paradox is that logic and emotion give rise to one another. They give life texture and beauty. Imagine a world without at least the semblance
of emotion, without feelings. How then
can we enjoy the cool rain providing a break from the scorching sun? Or that sense of unease that prevents us from
walking down that dark alley only to read a headline “Couple found stabbed”? Without the capacity to translate information
from your senses and move naturally with them what exactly are we? We might as
well be robots operating in an uncaring unfeeling fashion. 
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