Author: Fred

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Sex and Hip-Hop Beyond Misogyny

Many have stated that sex sells with regards to commodities, hip-hop culture in particular. However, in recent years the industries surrounding sex and hip-hop have developed a symbiotic relationship. For example, rappers often use strip clubs to premiere records and circumvent mainstream radio payola. In turn, the porn industry employs rappers to promote its DVDs and websites. This connection not only allows the two industries to benefit financially, but also results in their mutual exploitation.
Traditionally, hip-hop scholarship and commentary has focused on the misogynist and sexist nature of cultural products. That is, until now, academic debates about how sex is addressed by the hip-hop community have centered primarily on topics such as the treatment of the video girl, Nelly’s “Tip Drill,” depictions of rappers as violent, sexual predators, etc.

For the forthcoming issue, “Sex and Hip-Hop Beyond Misogyny”, Words. Beats. Life: The Global Journal of Hip-Hop Culture invites scholars, students, and practitioners to submit nuanced takes on gender and sexuality within hip-hop culture. Topics may include sex trafficking, sexual education, hip-hop and sex in film and literature, queer hip-hop, boyhood and girlhood, and representations of the body. We hope to push ideas about sex and hip-hop beyond simple investigations of misogyny in this issue.

Submissions Process
All submissions are accepted on a continuous basis and need not be limited to the themes outlined.

All submissions designated as scholarly require an abstract of 150 words or less and up to five key words to accompany each submission.

All scholarly submissions should follow the APA style guide.

Submission Formats
Research Papers: 3,000 words
Essays:1,500 words
Editorials:1,500 words
Short Stories: 3,500 words
Lyrics:150-300 words
Featured Poet:150-300 words (4 poems, bio, and photo)
Featured Artist:PDF or JPEG (5-7 pieces, bio, and photo)
Scholarly Reviews: 2,000 words (albums, books, and films)
Interviews:1,500 words

Submissions and Inquiries:
E-mail: journalstaff@wblinc.org

Mailing address:

Words Beats & Life
Attn: Journal Staff
1525 Newton Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20010
The Journal is the world’s only peer-reviewed academic journal dedicated to hip-hop culture used by organizations and in university classrooms, including Harvard, Morgan State and the University of Maryland, around the country. Please contact us if you are interested in becoming a peer reviewer.

We look forward to receiving and reviewing your submissions.

Sincerely,

Simone Jacobson
Cipher Director

Breaking Through: Women Leading Museums
A Panel Discussion Celebrating Women’s History Month 2009

In celebration of Women’s History month, four women who direct museums in Washington, D.C. will candidly explore the role of women in our nation’s cultural life in a panel discussion at the National Museum of Women in the Arts at 6:30 p.m. on March 26, 2009. The program is co-sponsored by ArtTable, the leadership organization for professional women in the visual arts, and the National Museum of Women in the Arts, dedicated to recognizing the contributions of women artists.

At the panel, Breaking Through: Women Leading Museums, nationally renowned interviewer and N.P.R. Morning Edition special correspondent Susan Stamberg will moderate a lively conversation with directors whose institutions reflect Washington’s broad range of museums:
• Camille Giraud Akeju, Director, Anacostia Community Museum, Smithsonian Institution
• Leslie Buhler, Executive Director, Tudor Place Historic House and Garden
• Dorothy Kosinski, Director, The Phillips Collection
• Susan Fisher Sterling, Director, National Museum of Women in the Arts

“Women are making extraordinary contributions to our nation’s cultural life, but still face marked challenges, from the gender pay gap to work-life balance,” said Elizabeth Ash, Chair of the D.C. Chapter of ArtTable. “These museum directors will offer their unique perspectives on how to succeed at the highest levels and what they wish they had known sooner.”

During the evening, the panelists will share their professional journeys, offer advice to emerging professionals, and communicate their vision for leading museums today and beyond.

Admission is $20 for ArtTable members, $25 for non-members, and $10 for students (with ID). Tickets are available at www.arttable.org or 212-343-1735 x 25. For general information about the program, call 703-231-5242. The National Museum of Women in the Arts is located at 1250 New York Avenue NW, two blocks north of Metro Center. Additional directions can be found at www.nmwa.org.

Founded in 1980, ArtTable, Inc. is the leadership organization for professional women in the visual arts.ArtTable’s purpose is to increase the effectiveness, visibility and diversity of women in the field. Through activities and initiatives, ArtTable is dedicated to: supporting women in the visual arts at all stages of their careers; documenting outstanding achievements by women past and present; increasing opportunities for women; and in so doing, enriching the nation’s cultural life. For more information, visit www.arttable.org.

National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) is the only museum solely dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women in the visual, performing and literary arts. Founded as a private, not-for-profit organization by Wilhelmina Cole Holladay in 1981 and opened in 1987, the museum’s collection features 3,000 works from the 16th-century to the present by more than 800 artists. Highlights include works by Lavinia Fontana, Alma Thomas, Louise Nevelson, Lilla Cabot Perry, Frida Kahlo and Nan Goldin along with special collections of 18th-century silver tableware and botanical prints. NMWA offers multidisciplinary programs for adults, young people, and families, including role model workshops, film, music and literary events. Located at 1250 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC in a landmark building blocks from the White House, the museum is open Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday, noon–5 p.m. For more information, visit www.nmwa.org.