Pam the Funktress

So on Tuesday we were lucky enough to have Pam the Funktress from The Coup visit our Social Justice and Communication class.  For those who don't know who Pam is she is an amazing D.J. who has been representing women in the hip-hop and D.J. world for more than 20 years.  Pam started D.J.ing for The Coup in 1993 and has been with them ever since.  Although she seems to be a bit tom boyish... she fully identifies as a women and is proud to say that she is a FEMALE D.J.!

Through out her career Pam has experienced many set backs from the hip-hop industry, based on the fact that she is a woman.  Before she established herself men used to criticize her as just some girl trying to be like Spinderella, and although Pam looked up to her she was just trying to do her own thing!  Of course once she walked off the stage and shown the room what she could do these men didn't think she was just a  poser.  For example, one night after Pam did her thing on stage a security guard came up to her and said, "you're one bad bitch."  She said that she wasn't quite sure how to react, because even though she knew he was trying to complement her, she was offended that he used that language to express himself.

A classmate asked her if she has ever wanted to quit becaue of the sexism she has experienced.  Her response was inspiring.  She said that there had been times when she did want to just give up, but ultimately she loved what she was doing and wanted to "rep the women."  Another question asked if Pam wanted people to be gender blind and just see her as a D.J. and not a female D.J..  She was very firm with her answer that she is a woman and wants to be embraced as one.  "I am a Female D.J." 

Pam the Funktress is an inspiration to women, because she has stuck out her dream and ultimately succeeded despite the constant ridicule.  In a culture ruled by men, Pam has laid her claim and has proven that ANYONE can be a great D.J. if they have the drive!