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Politics and Activism

A Letter for Rapper "YG" - Your Governor's Ball Exploitation

Not a musical performance, but a sexual harassment performance.

Sammi Minion

Jun 14, 2017

Cornell University

144

A Letter for Rapper "YG" - Your Governor's Ball Exploitation

SoSoActive

All weekend I'm sure you saw the pictures on Instagram from Governor's Ball or the endless albums on Facebook. From the outside, it looks like it's all fun and games - the singing, dancing and chanting. We all wish we could go, and I'm sure you also were upset when you saw the tickets were the price of a mortgage. However, rapper YG turned Governor's Ball into something else. I was scrolling through Facebook when I saw a post from a Facebook friend Sydney Luks, a young poet from New Jersey, whose Governor's Ball post was anything but the average. Sydney posted about an experience she saw at the music festival, and it wasn't about how good the lineup was or how extravagant all the food tasted. Sydney's post explained what she witnessed at YG's performance. Instead of a music performance, YG executed a sexual harassment performance.

During the rapper's show, the jumbo screen was set on a girl who looked around the age of 18. YG looked towards the girl and yelled, "I didn't come all the way to New York without seeing some titties!" You could tell a chill ran down her spine (and not in a good way). She shook her head no, but YG was relentless. The rapper was creating the show that will haunt this girl forever. YG got the entire crowd the chant "TITTIES! TITTIES! TITTIES!" in order to influence her to take her shirt off. All eyes were set on the girl as someone attempted to pull on her shirt. The girl continued to fight it and make it clear that it wasn't going to happen. However, YG and the crowd persisted. When it became clear she wasn't about to expose herself to thousands of people just because a famous rapper was harassing her from afar, YG dedicated his next song "Bitches Ain't Shit" to the girl who refused to show her chest in front of everyone. He then influenced the crowd to "Boo" her. Rightfully, she ran out of the show.

Dear YG,

You ruined not only a day this weekend but also a life. I'm sure this moment will run through this girl's head everyday, whether it be a terrifying flashback or a nightmare. You sexually harassed this girl, whether you realize it or not. Females face this type of harassment all the time and as in influencer you should be fighting it, not promoting it. Your little episode this weekend made it seem like it was okay for people to pressure women into exposing themselves when this generation has been trying so hard to prove the opposite. Maybe you thought it would be "funny" or "cool," but you don't know what this young girl has faced before. Maybe you weren't the first person to sexually harass her. Maybe she is already in therapy for a similar situation. Maybe she was at the festival to take her mind off a time tough she may be going through. No woman should ever be harassed or pressured in this way, especially at the young age of 18. YG, you not only condescended this girl to her face, but also you made sure it had an audience of thousands of people. So thanks a lot YG, for putting on quite the performance.

Sincerely,

The generation of girls who have been trying to prove ourselves to be more than a pair of breasts (or in your case, "titties").

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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A Letter for Rapper "YG" - Your Governor's Ball Exploitation

Not a musical performance, but a sexual harassment performance.

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

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