W.A.R. (Women Armed and Ready)!:Defining the Reel Images of Women in Hip-Hop

Submitted by Martha Diaz on Sun, 01/27/2008 - 5:39pm
Short Description: 

This candid interactive workshop focuses on the role media plays in the portrayal of women in Hip-Hop, and the issues and effects that women have to deal with as a result. From Queens to whores, the roles of women have changed dramatically over the last 30 years. From misogyny to hypersexual behavior, a whole generation of young men and women have been desensitized and programmed through negative media images. It’s time to confront the media outlets, and step up as media-makers and concerned citizens to take control of our images, redefine ourselves and create a new perspective of women.

Presenters
Presenter One Name: 
Moderated by Martha Diaz – President of the Hip-Hop Association
Presenter One Info: 

Martha Diaz is a filmmaker, educator, social entrepreneur, and the founder and president of the Hip-Hop Association. Now in its 5th year, the H2A is a Union Square Arts Award Recipient and considered one of the leading Hip-Hop educational institutions, producing the largest International Hip-Hop Film Festival. The H2A recently published, The Hip-Hop Education Guidebook Vol. I.

Presenter Two Name: 
Toni Blackman - Hip-Hop Ambassador, Artist, Writer
Presenter Two Info: 

Toni Blackman is an international champion of hip-hop culture, known for the irresistible, contagious energy of her performances and for her alluring female presence. An award-winning artist, her steadfast work and commitment to hip-hop led the U.S. Department of State to select her to work as the first ever hip-hop artist to work as an American Cultural Specialist. Highly respected as the founder and director of Freestyle Union, a cipher workshop that uses free styling as a tool to encourage social responsibility, Blackman’s work has held great influence in the world of hip hop activism.

Presenter Three Name: 
Maori Karmeal Holmes – Producer and Director, Scene Not Heard
Presenter Three Info: 

Maori Karmael Holmes is a media artist and producer whose work sheds light on that which exists on the margins. She has produced short documentaries and music videos about contemporary pop art and culture. She is a communications consultant for the Leeway Foundation, manages several hip-hop artists and is president of the Black Lily Film & Music Festival.

Presenter Four Name: 
Melissa Ulto – Editor, The Art of Love and Struggle
Presenter Four Info: 

Melissa Ulto is a multidisciplinary artist who utilizes modern and traditional mediums to create her works. She is a professionally photographer, filmmaker, designer, VJ and artist. Melissa has performed as a guest video artist at the MoMA and the Brooklyn Museum of Art. She is a published writer, poet and photographer. Melissa is also an educator, having taught seminars on democratizing media, critical thinking, social activism, vodcasting and post production processes.