I Need a Tipdrill?

Maybe the fact that I do not watch music videos is what allowed me to think that things could not be as bad as people say they are. Don’t get me wrong; I used to watch them all of the time however, I found it increasingly difficult to watch music videos that denigrate women to no end, and particularly Black women. Recently, my friends kept telling me that I should see a video by Nelly featuring some of the St. Lunatics called Tip Drill. They all told me something to this effect; “You won’t believe what you’ll see.” Of course, I thought they were a bit overdramatic so I opted not to see it. The fact is that I genuinely was not interested coupled with the fact that the video only showed on the internet (I wasn’t concerned enough to find it) and on BET Uncut, which airs about 2 hours before I wake up in the morning.

But lo and behold, a friend of mine sent me an internet link with the video and told me that I had to watch it – if only to become angry. And if all I would have become was angry, I would actually be happier right now. But as I sit in front of this computer, my mind continually goes back to what my heart felt at the moment – those 8 long moments, more precisely – when I first viewed that video. Disgust; rage; embitterment. Several issues within the portrayal are problematic, disturbing and troubling. I sat and watched as if my own malehood were being assaulted, which I am certain is not the typical male response.

I do believe in free speech and I believe that every artist has the right to make and say what they will. I do not seek to limit Nelly’s creativity. What I am concerned with parsimoniously is the type of mindset that would allow someone to make a video of this nature. This video is only representative of a larger ethos that demeans women for the unrequited impulses of men. This isn’t pussy power – this is pussy pain.

The simulated sex of the video is soft porn at best. Women have historically been oppressed by patriarchal ideology. That women are inferior to men is a long-standing concept that has been reproduced repeatedly. Women have been objectified in media and this short film of sorts is no exception. In the video, there is a disproportionate amount of women to men – Nelly and his few friends to the seeming fifty or sixty women. They are all lined up, scantily clad and willing to do anything to appease these few men. The men have their choice of which women they want to grind on, the ones that will have the privilege of getting their ass smacked or to have their bodies contorted for the camera.

However, this idea, that there are a disproportionate amount of Black women to men is troubling and telling. In universities across the country, there is a disproportionate amount of black women to men. At my own university, University of Pennsylvania, the 2007 class has approximately 175 black students altogether, but black men comprising 35 students. The absurd number of imprisoned black men is mind numbing.

What this short film has successfully implicated is that Black women must be willing to accept any type of treatment from Black men. Even if that man has more than one woman, the onus is on her to accept his shenanigans (yes, I said shenanigans) if she wants anyone at all. If she doesn’t accept his ill-treatment of her, he can easily move on to one of the other many women that will allow his debauchery. In these situations, women are more often overly sexualized and objectified, demeaning their humanity. The sex that they engage in with men in these situations is “simulated”; that is, it gives an assumption or appearance of reality. However, this sex is void of love, trust, honesty or care.

I must assert that I have no problems with lesbianism. I believe that women and men can express love and fidelity with opposite or the same gender. Still, the short film features many same-sex acts only to excite the male imagination. The kissing, rubbing and fondling are all with a gaze directed at the men, not each other. This is very telling of whom they are trying to please. There is a fixation with doing anything to appease the man. As bell hooks wrote in From Reel to Real, they are “doing it for daddy,” although in this instance, “daddy” is a black man.

A friend of mine believes simulated lesbianism is included because some men tend to equate women with quantity of sex. Two women equals double the fun. This only serves to validate the implication of woman-as-object. Women are objectified so much so, her humanity doesn’t matter. The only thing that is regarded is what she does to appease men. Only in the world of same-sex/simulated-sex eroticism can she gain attention of men. She must gain it through his desires, not her own.

There is a line in the song that says, “…It ain’t no fun ‘less we all get some…I need a tip drill, we need a tip drill.” Pervasive sexual violence against women is no game and should not be lighthearted fare. To me, this statement is indicative of gang-rape, something that is done in violent fashion. All of these acts serve to empower the male, to reinforce his sexual prowess and lust for women; it gives power to the dick. Concurrently, women are devalued by their continual usage adding pain to the pussy.

In a culture where most women do not report sexual violence; where rape is often committed by an acquaintance, not a stranger; where sexual violence against women is often blamed on the woman, it would seem that statements that sensationalize sexual violence would produce outrage.

“It must be your ass ‘cause it ain’t your face,” is objectification magnified. We do not want to look into the face of someone that we are degrading. Why look into the face where the true countenance is ascertained? While the body may be involved in these sex-acts, the emotions are not. There is a disconnection between the body and the soul which allows for these types of occurrences. Men and women become voyeurs of each other in this instance. We are called upon to look away from the humanity and rather focus on the object – the booty. There is even commentary within this short film, which asserts, “Everything is pretty but her face.”

This is tantamount to public shaming. This shaming is what causes us to look down rather than hold our heads up and be strong, courageous and proud. It victimizes women, telling them all they have to offer men is their bodies. They must become living sacrifices in the religion of dick. The “face” is more than the eyes, mouth, nose and cheeks – the face is the passion, the love, the emotion, the happiness, the sadness; all that makes the reality for people. A call for men to look at the booty rather than the face is likewise debase. As long as you do not look into the face, you will not feel humanity.

The song also does a good job at making women into functional roles of children. The usage of the word “girl” in conjunction with “mama” and “baby” personify this concept that women are nothing more than big girls – children. Children need to be told what to do, where to go, whom to stay away from, etc. Children need guidance and direction. Children are vulnerable to attacks because of their naiveté, their trusting nature and calm manner.

Patriarchal thinking reinforces this woman-as-child theory. Patriarchy tends to fashion womanhood as inferior to manhood. This short film displays women with controlled thoughts and actions. Their thoughts are towards the men – even when engaging in homoerotic activities. The men control their actions as well. Whatever the women are told to do, they engage. No back talk. No lip. They do what they’re told. This is the pinnacle of womanhood – doing anything for dick.

“It must be your money, ‘cause it ain't your face.” Perhaps I’ve drawn a picture of women standing idly by while the men whip them into submission. But this is far from the case. Indeed, women (or one woman, more precisely) was able to break through the ranks to speak. And when she spoke, she told us that she’s only interested in the money. This is not empowerment. This is asserting that prostitution is a viable option – giving yourself out for money is nothing more than fun and games. But it is interesting that the woman still calls us away from the “face” to an object. The object is seen as a means to pleasure and happiness. But as Biggie said, more money, more problems. One woman even allows a credit card to be swiped down her butt. This implies that all women have a price by which they can be purchased. Women have no integrity – only long for money.

What this short film has done, successfully, is conjure every negative stigma against Black women and harped on those cords. There is no humanity here and maybe Nelly didn’t want it to be. This is reality, though. The flippant nature in which we are presented this story is troubling because it is indicative of the psyche. There are far too many men that believe women are bitch-hoe goddesses and are here only to fulfill our pornographic gazes and sexual lusts. As well, there are far too many women that have bought into these concepts and are actively seeking to replicate these messages. The male gaze is on the female body and the female gaze is on the money. No one is looking at each other. We are so preoccupied with objects that we don’t see faces. When and how can we learn to love each other when we continue to look away in shame?