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Chickenhead (sexuality) final edits

Introduction

"Chickenhead" is an American English slang term that is typically used in a derogatory manner toward women. The term mocks the motion of the body while performing oral sex on a man, but contains social characteristics and cultural relevance as well, and is frequently heard in popular hip-hop music. More recent uses of the term have seen it taken back by hip-hop feminists and entertainers as a symbol of sexuality and power. "Chickenhead" is also a term used in overseas sex trafficking for individuals that facilitate and monitor a persons transition into sex work.

Etymology

Contemporary use of the term may have originated in African-American sexual slang and gained popularity through use in hip-hop, notably the 1996 skit "Chickenhead Convention" on the album Muddy Waters by Redman. Additionally, the song 'Chickenhead' by Project Pat (featuring La Chat and Three Six Mafia) introduced this black vernacular term to a more mainstream audience.[1] "Chickenhead" was defined as "hoochie" or "fellatious woman" when featured on the Dave Chappelle show. Singer Cardi B recently released a remix of Project Pat's song in 2018, titled 'Bickenhead', changing the message from largely mocking women to an expression of empowerment and sexual ownership. The song has been largely well received, debuting at number 43 on the Billboard Hot 100 list in April 2018.

Use of the term "chickenhead" predates this and extends across the demographic makeup of American society. Examples include John Steinbeck's 1952 Novel "East of Eden", in which the (white) proprietor of a brothel indirectly refers to the working girls of her establishment as "chickenheads"(citation added in article). Dr. R. Flowers Rivera used the term "chickenhead" more recently, in a poem that identifies it as a woman who is impoverished and an alcoholic lacking empathy.

Derogatory Meaning vs. Empowerment (changed from history)

Ronald Weitzer and Charis Kubrin note that "A favorite rap term is 'chickenhead,' which reduces a woman to a bobbing head giving oral sex." Bakari Kitwana argues that many rappers refer to women, black women in particular, as "bitches, gold diggers, hoes, hoodrats, chickenheads, pigeons, and so on." Johnnetta B. Cole argues that hip hop's tradition to refer to black women in such terms disrespects and vilifies them.

In Joan Morgan's When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost, she notes the derogatory tendency of the term "chickenhead", and further defines it as a woman who uses sex to achieve the things she wants. As a black, hip-hop feminist, Morgan offers that chickenheads simply use the tools afforded to them when other means are not efficient, and that all women may have something to learn from the use of sexual power .

Chickenhead (sexuality) edit

Intentions of edit:

1) Add citation to original copied statement (Steinbeck, "East of Eden") *Edit applied to article

2) Add another examples of how the term "Chickenhead" has been used outside of hip-hop music.

3) I would also like to comment on the reception and critical success of the song Bickenhead by Cardi B. Cardi B believes the song is a strong representation of her sexuality.

4) Joan Morgan's When Chickenheads Come Home To Roost deserves some mention. The book is a of essays written by the author in culturally rich language about her views on the black feminist movement. Further explanation of the term chickenhead is offered, and how chickenheads themselves can be valuable to the back feminist movement.

However, widespread use of the term almost certainly predates this significantly, extending across the demographic makeup of American society. Examples include John Steinbeck's 1952 Novel "East of Eden", in which the (white) proprietor of a brothel indirectly refers to the working girls of her establishment as "chickenheads".

R.Flowers Rivera is a prominent African American writer and poet. Among other accomplishments, Rivera has a Ph.D and M.A in English. Rivera wrote a poem that appeared in a spring 2000 issue of Obsidian III that features the term "Chickenhead." The poem directly references the term "chickenhead" in a derogatory way, using it to describe the "other woman" in the subject's marriage. Rivera elaborates on the term with references to poverty and alcoholism, inferring that she will go hungry due to the relationship with the "chickenhead".

This is significant and relevant to this article because it widens the understanding of the term "chickenhead" as applied in literature in African American culture. The main theme of this article is the usage of the term by men in rap/hip-hop music to degrade and slander women. The way it is used by Rivera, while still derogatory towards women, offers more meaning than the typical sexual references of being "easy" or the "physical motion of performing oral sex."

Proposed Edit:

However, use of the term predates this and extends across the demographic makeup of American society. Examples include John Steinbeck's 1952 Novel "East of Eden", in which the (white) proprietor of a brothel indirectly refers to the working girls of her establishment as "chickenheads"(citation added in article). Dr. R. Flowers Rivera used the term "chickenhead" more recently, in a poem that identifies it as a woman who is impoverished and an alcoholic lacking empathy.

I think the song Bickenhead by Cardi B is relevant and worthy of mention in this article. "Bickenhead" is a remix and answer to the song "Chickenhead" by Project Pat (currently mentioned in article), features vulgar lyrics, but changes the message to be sexually empowering for women. The term Chickenhead is not used in the song, but the title and critical success makes it culturally relevant.

Purposed Edit:

Contemporary use of the term may have originated in African-American sexual slang and gained popularity through use in hip-hop, notably the 1996 skit "Chickenhead Convention" on the album Muddy Waters by Redman. Additionally, the song 'Chickenhead' by Project Pat (featuring La Chat and Three Six Mafia) introduced this black vernacular term to a more mainstream audience.[2] Singer Cardi B recently released a remix of Project Pat's song , titled 'Bickenhead', changing the message from largely mocking women to an expression of sexual ownership. The song has been largely well received, debuting at number 43 on the Billboard Hot 100 list in April 2018.

Chickenhead (sexuality) potential additions and bibliography

1) A more complete description of the term "chickenhead", including description, several sources. *Description at top of article feels incomplete.

2)Term "chickenhead" used in modern poetry, used to describe impoverished, alcoholic mistress of woman's husband (used by a woman about a woman, which goes against ordinary use of term, men degrading women). *Used outside common hip hop context. Interesting take.

3)Cardi B recently completed a remix of Project Pat's popular song "Chickenhead". Changed title to "Bickenhead". *Cultural relevance to derogatory term used towards women, mainly women of color, by a woman of color? Numerous references to women as "nasty hoes", "hoes", graphic sexual slang terms.

-Term "chickenhead" not used through duration of song.

4) The term "chickenhead" is also used to describe individuals involved in overseas sex trafficking.

-Basically serves as a term for "pimp".

-Chickenheads help women transition into the sex trade.

-Provide transportation, identification, lodging, networking.

-Abusive in nature

-Typically work alone, are some known networks.

5) "Chickenhead" used as the term for dance moves by two sources

-Used to refer to "Chickenhead as a dance" and "Chickenhead as a person" in poem.

Bibliography

• Weems, Mary, White, Carolyne, McHatton, Patricia Alvarez, Shelley, Clarence, Bond, Time, Brown, Ruth, Melina, Lois, Scheidt, Lois Ann, Jackie Goode, De Carteret , Pheonix, and Wyat Jonathan (2009). Heartbeats: Exploring the Power of Qualitative Research Expressed As Autoethnographic Performance Texts. Qualitative Inquiry Vol 15, Issue 5, pp. 843 858 First Published April 10, 2009https://doi.org/10.1177/1077800409333155

• Ko-lin, C., & James, O. F. (September 17, 2012). Going Down to the Sea.

• Chin, K., & Finckenauer, J. (2011). Chickenheads, agents, mommies, and jockeys: the social organization of transnational commercial sex. Crime, Law & Social Change, 56(5), 463–484. https://doi-org.ezproxy.plu.edu/10.1007/s10611-011-9329-

• Hunter, M., & Soto, K. (2009). Women of Color in Hip Hop: The Pornographic Gaze. Race, Gender & Class, 16(1/2), 170-191. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/41658866

• Ralph, L. (2012). “Love, Peace, and Soul”. Transition, (108), 19-31. doi:10.2979/transition.108.19

• Rivera, R. (2000). Legacy To Our Daughters. Obsidian III, 2(1), 84-93. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/44511599

Article Evaluation

I reviewed the article Chickenhead...

-Chickenhead is a demeaning term used towards women.

-Refers to a tendency to engage in oral sex with men.

-Derogatory meaning perpetuated mainly through hip hop music.

-Popularized in the mid-nineties by artist Redman

- noted use by Steinbeck in 1952 Novel.

-Only 4 references, all dated post 2000.

-Need more references and wider range of research for distinct use of the term.

-Predominately referenced in articles relating to African American culture and hip hop music.

- Should explore use in other cultures.

-Article leans heavily toward viewing the terms as derogatory, used mainly in african american culture

-Citations yielded 2 abstracts, a book description, and an article database homepage

-"project pat" links to website with song success history to justify popularization

-Page filled with subtle, biased opinion, not fact.

- Defense of specific meaning when used would be tough, but doable

-Article part of 3 wikiprojects: Gender Studies, African diaspora, and sexology and sexuality

-rated stub class, low-importance in each group

-content of article represents each wikigroup

-single addition of rap song titled "chickenhead" suggested in talk page.

-Suggested this song had more to do with popularization than mentioned hip-hop songs.