Response to "Black Girls Rock"



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As a consequence of sin and darkness, the depiction of men and women around the world has been demoted from what was originally intended, but women - being the more vulnerable sex - have bore the brunt of that consequence. The media is constantly telling women what they should or shouldn't’t look like and how they should or shouldn't’t behave according to worldly standards.

Case in point, hip hop music surely hasn’t painted a Biblical depiction of any women - lest of all black ones. It doesn’t just demean women, but it verbally dehumanizes them while reinforcing stereotypes and self-hatred. It promotes violence, drug activity, sexual immorality, materialism, anti-intellectualism, and vanity.
As if hip hop music alone was not enough to deceive women, the media at large tends to depict women in a very shallow, superficial light. All too often, this proves to be a self-fulfilling prophecy as women believe the hype and try to live up to the world’s elusive
standards of womanhood.
　
The media would have women believe that “extremely thin” is the ideal size, and women who don’t fit that bill are often judged harshly. For example, Howard Stern publicly bashed actress Gabourey Sidibe. “[She's] the most enormous, fat black chick I've ever seen.” Other women are literally dying trying to fit the bill. Sadly, rapper Kanye West’s mom died after a tummy tuck gone bad. A doctor had advised her that the surgery was dangerous considering her pre-existing health conditions. To her detriment, she ignored that doctor’s advice and decided to proceed with the cosmetic surgery. Some have become so obsessed with fitting into that “extremely thin” box that are willing to forgo being pregnant for adoption or surrogacy, so they won’t “ruin” their bodies. The trainer on Biggest Loser - Jillian Michaels - admitted that she feels this way.

The media would also have women believe that overtly sensual women are more desirable. Hip hop starlets like Beyonce, Rihanna, and numerous others are famous for putting on racy performances while being scantly clad. Recently, performer Erykah Badu took the cake when she stripped off all of her clothes in front of shocked bystanders during the public videotaping of her Window Seat music video. Tragically, the list goes on and on.

After all this being thrown into the faces of women, it’s no wonder many are confused, stressed, and depressed about who they are or should be. Thankfully, the world is not capable of defining women; it’s only capable of stereotyping them. Only God can define! After all, he is the Creator. Who can know his creatures better than him?

So, what’s the solution? Sisters of all races and ethnicities need to develop Bible-centered identities. It’s time for sisters to ask themselves: who does the Bible say I am and/or should be?

Males and females are the same in Christ. Galatians 3:28
Therefore, women (like men)…

• are made in God’s image. Genesis 1:27
• are created to fear God and obey his commandments. Acts 1:27, Ecclesiastes 3:14, 12:13
• should help others. Ephesians 2:10
• are called to wisdom. Proverbs 1:20-33
• should build her house through wisdom. Proverbs 14:1
• are loved by Jesus. 1 John 3:1
• belong to God. Deuteronomy 10:14, Psalms 24:1, Acts 17:24
• Jesus died for. John 15:13, John 3:16, Romans 5:8
• were made by love, to be loved, and to demonstrate love. 1 John 4:7-11, 1Corinthians 13:4-7

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope (NIV, Romans 15:5). Accordingly, modern women can learn from and be encouraged by the examples set by wise women in the Bible.
Like…

• Deborah a prophetess and Judge of Israel, women can spur others to good deeds. Judges chapter 4, Hebrews 10:24
• Hannah, women can pray fervently to the Lord. 1 Samuel chapter 1, James 5:16
• Abigail and Zipporah, women can turn away anger with wisdom. 1 Samuel 25, Exodus 4:24-26
• Pilate’s wife and Huldah a prophetess, women can spread knowledge. Matthew 27:19, 2 Kings 22:14-20
• midwives Shiphrah and Puah, women can be blessed as a result of fearing God and refusing evil. Exodus 1:15-20, Proverbs 31:30
• Lydia the businesswoman, women can set Godly examples that impact their households. Acts 16:13-15, Joshua 24:15
• Queen Esther, women can use their influence to save their own lives and the lives of those in the community. Esther 7:3

Women …

• are designed for biological and/or spiritual motherhood. Judges 5:7
• receive honor when they are kind and gracious. Proverbs 11:16
• should be modest and discreet. Proverbs 11:22
• don’t have to fear old age, when they reverence God. Proverbs 31:25

Note: This list isn’t even the tip of the iceberg because God’s word is so comprehensive. That’s why it’s very important to study the word yourself. 2 Timothy 2:15

www.thefreedictionary.com defines rock as "a person that’s
dependable, unchanging, or providing firm foundation." According to that very earthly definition of rock, it’s feasible to say that women rock. But more importantly, God is the Rock! 2 Samuel 22:3
Women everywhere need to discover who they are according to the only Rock that matters, and no secular broadcast - no matter how well intentioned - can compare to that.

Author: K. Martin