But reducing a Black woman’s intelligent thoughts and articulate expression to her tone is dismissive and disrespectful. For example, I’m sure you are understanding a lot about how I feel through the tone of this post, right? So chances are, if there’s something about a Black woman’s tone that’s “bothering” you, there is MUCH more bothering her worth taking some time to understand, regardless of how she expresses the feelings that she would be well within her right to have. Indeed, tone is meant to communicate feelings. Cole’s and many other men’s problem with a Black woman’s tone isn’t that their feelings are hurt, it’s that a woman dared to be anything other than the “nice”, demure, docile woman that society continuously tells her she should be. Cole reminds us that Black women aren’t afforded that luxury. Yet men with the same “tone” would likely be praised for being outspoken, or, at the very least, they would be heard. “Tone” is often the reason Black women lose outon promotions or outright get demoted. Men with the same “tone” would likely be praised for being outspoken, or, at the very least, they would be heard.Īs a teacher, I’ve seen first hand how “tone” can land a Black girl immediately in detention and suspension. In effect, what he’s actually saying is, “It doesn’t matter how smart you are, if you don’t say it to me the “right” way, that way I want to hear it, I’m not listening.” With one line, J.Cole discredits the intelligence and qualifications of Black women to her tone. Of course, as life has taught us, we know there is also a “but” coming.
Cole opens the song off by praising the intelligence of this “young lady.” (There’s talk about who this young lady might be but I’m just going to say she represents many Black women.) He notes how intelligent she is, even conceding that she is “way smarter” than him. “It’s something about the queen tone that’s botherin’ me” Here’s why “Snow on tha Bluff” is so problematic. Though the message of the entire song is problematic, I’m breaking it down by the most problematic lyrics. Cole, love his music, and saw no problem with what he said and maybe even related to his feelings a little. I’m sharing this most especially for the Black men who look up to J. Cole’s recently released song, Snow on tha Bluff, so much so that it makes sense for me to share. I don’t usually do this, though I must admit I’ve done something like this once before. J Cole’s Snow on tha Bluff just came out.
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