Especially in today’s world, the words used to describe women of color are under increased scrutiny. With cases like Imus taking over front pages one must really think about the words they use to describe someone, especially if those words are public.

However one growing aspect of entertainment seems to not have such limits or restrictions: the rap and hip-hop industry.

With lyrics degrading women every other line and blanket statements about a woman’s “role” towards her man, it’s a wonder that anything could be considered appropriate.

T Denean Sharpley-Whiting looks at this very issue in her book “Pimps Up, Ho’s Down: Hip Hop’s Hold on Young Black Women.” She bravely opens her book with the statement that even she, a professor of African American studies and feminist, fell into the grasp of hip hop’s appeal. She points out that she went into a women’s rights class at Brown University singing the lyrics from Dr. Dre’s 1992 album “The Chronic” as she walked through the door. A CD that refers to women openly as whores and sluts.

Yet through her well researched book full of interviews from colleagues, women in the industry, and everyday women, she reveals just how this has come to be accepted. And also fires back against its popularity. Showing examples of women trying to create themselves in the image of hip hop, including the girls in the videos trying to fulfill the roles set in the songs, Sharpley-Whiting displays just how accepted these ideas have become.

Sharpley-Whiting goes further with this argument by also using examples of African-American girls trying to deny their heritage to become less hip hop and more socially acceptable. These examples include girls from America’s Next Top Model vying to either have their hair straightened or fighting to keep it wavy and natural.

Solid research and an articulate argument make this a convincing read for people of any race and gender.

Briana King is a freelance writer from Boston