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Matt Wasem
Professor Fielding
Writing 103
11 February 2018
Women’s Representation in Music
“DJ turn me up, ladies this your jam/I’m gon’ sip Moscato, and you gon’ lose them

pants/then I’m gon’ throw this money while you do it with no hands,” Wacka Flacka Flame

raps in No Hands. These lyrics are highly controversial and can be considered degrading

towards women however, they are played almost every weekend at parties. Individuals

determine these lyrics to be degrading, because they portray a loss of respect while

humiliating individuals. In the article “Degrading Lyrics Don’t Harm Women,” Chelsea

Fagan uses ethos, logos, and pathos to build an effective argument against degrading lyrics.

Fagan does not view the lyrics as derogatory but, in fact she finds “these songs,

beyond not upsetting [her], actually making [her] feel quite positive as a whole” (Fagan 1).

Additionally, Fagan talks about how she enjoys some of the music, “2 Chainz’s music about

how much he loves them strippers, [Fagan] can't help but agree with his tastes. Seeing a

woman completely in control of her body and her sexuality, dancing to songs that were meant

to objectify her but only end up highlighting the power of her autonomy, is viscerally

attractive” (Fagan 3). Fagan clearly enjoys listening to music that most people nowadays

consider to be degrading. However, her perspective on this topic is a common belief with the

younger generation. People who find rap music degrading towards women seem to be older

generations who are not accustomed to this music genre. These two quotes are prime

examples of Fagan using ethos throughout her article; to appeal to the ethics of the reader and

convey her credibility on the subject.

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In this article, she also supports the people who are being attacked in rapper’s lyrics,

such as strippers and prostitutes. People who are working “in dangerous, extremely low-paid,

menial jobs—who will never be respected or viewed as a truly useful part of society—we

would never render moral judgments on their character” (Fagan 6). What everyone should

keep in mind is that “the important [thing] is that [everyone] finds what makes [them] feel

happy and respected. And sneering at what might be part of that journey for another woman

helps absolutely no one” (Fagan 5). These two quotes are superb examples of Fagan utilizing

logos in her article to defend dancers and other low-income jobs. Fagan believes that society

should be accepting of everyone. She is able to portray this message with logos, because she

is attempting to persuade people logic and reason in order for them to see where she is

coming from.

Fagan finds other genres of music degrading towards women, such as the Beatles and

Taylor Swift. These seem like an odd combination, especially when people look at Taylor

Swift and see a sweat country singer. In her article she states that “[she] is repulsed by The

Beatles' number which starts off with the delightful lyrics ‘[She]'d rather see you dead, little

girl, than to be with another man.’ [Her] eyes roll out of [her] head and up through [her]

sinuses when [she] hears yet another Taylor Swift oeuvre that portrays women as completely

incapable of being the agents of their own destiny” (Fagan 7). Fagan views music as

degrading when the female is not in charge of her own destiny. Fagan enjoys the music from

parties because, “it is just one of those essential girls' nights that affirms friendship and the

feeling of total liberation” (Fagan 2). Not only do the lyrics intrigue her but, the connection

between her and her friends when the music plays is just another thing she enjoys and gets

out of these “degrading lyrics.” These two quotes from the text are decent examples of
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pathos. Fagan is using pathos throughout this article in order to draw out the readers

emotions. In doing so, the reader will begin to create an emotional response about the topic.

Overall, the author is effective because she portrays her point of view on the sensitive

subject effectively and efficiently by getting straight to the point and sharing her experiences.

The author primarily uses ethos, logos, and pathos to tell the reader that she does not believe

music is degrading towards women. In fact, it is not uncommon that women will go out and

party to the music that some people consider degrading. The author can strengthen her article by

adding other people’s opinion on the subject. If she had done this, the article would offer more

than just the author’s point of view. This argument is current and relevant, because the music

industry is being taken over by rap/hip-hop music, which is what the younger generations listen

to. However, it is a bit disconcerting that the younger generations would listen to music that

degrades women and consists of vulgar language, as it will influence them to repeat what they

hear.
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Works Citied:

Fagan, Chelsea. "Degrading Lyrics Don't Harm Women." Are Graphic Music Lyrics Harmful?,
edited by Noah Berlatsky, Greenhaven Press, 2016. At Issue. Opposing Viewpoints in
Context, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010969208/OVIC?u=viva_jmu&xid=20f
24848. Accessed 15 Feb. 2018. Originally published as "I Am a Woman, and I Am
Empowered by Degrading Music,", 26 July 2013.