The Source’s December 1995 issue did a story on how Russell Simmons, rapper and Def Jam CEO, wanted to start a newsletter for rappers. Simmons said “No one’s political agenda is going to be serviced. We know what we don’t like (in the rap industry)... We need rappers to be aware of the things that affect them. We want them to be in touch with the people who generate information” (The Source, December 1995). Russell knew the value of information and wanted rappers to be more aware of things that affect them. Despite all of the commercialization, controversy, and consciousness, the hip hop community still finds a way to radiate sexism and forget about the contributions that women have made to build hip hop. The content in The Source shows how women have a presence in hip hop but are not thought …show more content…
In a reading titled Loving Hip-Hop When It Denies Your Humanity: Feminist Struggles and The Source, Shawn M. Worsley describes The Source and it’s issues with feminism. “The magazine’s portrayal of the hip hop community largely neglects the presence and contribution of women, or represents women in demeaning ways” (Worsley, 275). In addition to how The Source broadcast women, the first women 's Editor and Chief of the source was not treated with respect as well. She said that The Source “subjected women at the magazine to sexual harassment and unlawful discrimination based on gender” (Worsley, 281). The viewers can also see The Source’s sexism ooze out into their content. In the October Issue, Laini Lee from Country Club Hills, IL wrote in “Letters” a powerful statement about her disapproval of the way the editors write. “How does The Source expect to attract women readers with its ongoing sexist referrals to women? I will not buy a magazine to read about “boostin’ ghetto bi***es” or to learn a definition of a “bum bi***es.” Both terms appear in your August issue. Most surprisingly, most of these remarks do not come from the artists, but from contributing writers. If that is what they have to contribute, then I cannot support the magazine. I understand that the world of hip-hop is a very sexist one and I would not ask The