S. Samuel
Ashley Judd has responded to criticism received following the release of her new memoir, All That Is Bitter & Sweet, in which she labels hip-hop as a "rape culture".
Using rap mogul Russell Simmmons‘ Global Grind network as a platform, Judd inked her mea culpa, clarifying her grievances against hip-hop.
“I have looked closely at the feedback I have received about those two paragraphs, and absolutely see your points, and I fully capitulate to your rightness, and again humbly offer my heartfelt amends for not having been able to see the fault in my writing, and not having anticipated it would be painful for so many. Crucial words are missing that could have made a giant difference. It should have read: “Some hip-hop, and some rap, is abusive. Some of it is part of the contemporary soundtrack misogyny (which, of course, is multi-sonic). Some of it promotes the rape culture so pervasive in our world…..” (Global Grind)
Judd also said too many people glimpsed at certain excerpts without interpreting the book’s content as a whole.
“Also, I, ideally, would have anticipated that some folks would see only representations of those two paragraphs, and not be familiar with the whole book, my work, and my message. I should have been clear in them that I include hip-hop and rap as part of a much larger problem. It is beyond unfortunate that I am talking about some, for example, of Snoop Dogs‘ lyrics, an assumption has been spread I was talking about every single artist in both genres. That is false and distorted. Here, I am again aware that it would be impossible for me to get this “exactly right”. Some will find fault, no matter how careful I am, no matter what.” (Global Grind)
Last week, producer 9th Wonder publicly called out Judd for her statements.
“@ashleytjudd if u would like to get educated on what the TRUE essence of hip-hop culture is, there are ways you can be enlightened….,” he tweeted April 8th.
“@ashleytjudd your opinions is based off what u see on television and in the media…which is a very warped sense of reality”
“It is proof positive that racism is some form or fashion still exists in dealing with Ashley Judds comments”
“Ashley Judd has basically called all of us criminals and savages in one fail swoop.” (9th Wonder’s Twitter)
Within her memoir, Judd specifically cited lyrics from rap stars Snoop Dogg and Diddy as being distasteful toward women.
“Along with other performers, YouthAIDS was supported by rap and hip-hop artists like Snoop Dogg and P. Diddy to spread the message … um, who?” the actress reportedly says. “Those names were a red flag…as far as I’m concerned, most rap and hip-hop music – with its rape culture and insanely abusive lyrics and depictions of girls and women as ‘ho’s’ – is the contemporary soundtrack of misogyny,” she argues. (New York Daily News)
Check out Ashley Judd discussing her new memoir below:
