Nicki Minaj rap artist, pop star, and yes, part time female revolutionary. In the midst of her North American portion of her Pinkprint tour (last night she was in Atlanta), all her fans know that in every appearance she takes a moment to speak with her Barbz on the importance of staying in school and getting an education (see clip below), adding that it’s important that they not depend on a man for money. Often she will note that when women have their own incomes they won’t have to put up with bad treatment by a male partner, implying that dependency is part of the reason men exhibit shabby behavior toward their wives and girlfriends. Like some of her other messaging, including body image and how black women get shafted by pop culture, her recommendation that women work has feminist leanings, but in this case really Minaj is skipping all the philosophical talk and keeping it simple, hold your own money and you control your own destiny.
The message may seem generic, bland and even empty (especially for her poor and working class fans for whom not working has never really been an option), but in reality it is one that stands in stark contrast to those delivered not only by pop culture but by greater society overall. Yes, women are encouraged to stay in school and solid progress in terms of girls being educated has been made globally, but after that, the dominant message is that happy ever after is marriage and babies, and that the best mothers are mostly dedicated to the task of raising their children, not building a career or making money.
And despite progress when it comes to who holds all the cards it’s still men with women representing 40 percent of the world’s workforce but hold just 1 percent of its wealth with levels of disparity between men and women more pronounced in poorer countries, according to a World Bank 2012 study. And still to this day the world’s most powerful institutions whether corporate, religious or political are still dominated by male leadership, broadcasting a hostile environment where women are shown as not present, welcome or needed. It’s a truth that feeds into the power of Minaj’s words because one of the inherent messages is simply her showing herself to the world as a women of color in a position of power.
Money isn’t everything, especially for women (and men) of color who experience additional levels of hostile messaging and treatment when it comes to pay, advancement and basically everything. One has to assume that is why part of Minaj’s message is to not look to a man to save you and to stay in school, an avenue that at least provides the chance for women to move pass the grind of a paycheck to paycheck existence. And really, the hidden, sly message is that if you do have your own, why in the WORLD would you allow a man who mistreats you to hang around.
See some more of Minaj’s revolutionary quotes below.
