a letter to black women: we have the power but we still do nothing but hate eAch other

The issue of women not supporting women in hip-hop has been a recurring topic of discussion from the artist's perspective. But we never consider the fan base. With the increase of representation of lady artists in hip-hop, very few see extraordinary success, despite the female side of the fan base having so much influence on the genre, but only wielding their power to put on men. It's weird and problematic. And it begs me to ask women, with this power, why do we do nothing with it?

I recently attended an open mic hosted by a female artist that featured both male and female acts performing music from rap and R&B perspectives. There, I witnessed the men getting more love from the female audience members than the female artists performing. In fact, I personally did not feel a welcoming energy from the women in the room and I usuallly do. And it's not as if these male artists were actually singing to these women. They were not. The music was for their boys and the streets (if you could understand what they were saying). But the women in the audience were engaged and supportive and it made me sad for female artists, especially ones that look like me.

Black women in particular have been at the helm of launching some mainstream rappers, only to be pushed to the side once these acts acquired an elevated level of fame, influence and status. Side eye to those who shall not be named. Frankly, I find that to be an embarassing trend and you would think it would encourage black women to be a little more discerning of who we support and put on, but that does not seem to be the case based on what I witnessed. And it is clear that the patriarchal structures within the industry and society shape how black women see themselves and their peers, oftentimes encouraging the disenfranchisement of women in the industry, even if it's to our own detriment.

The habit of black women falling on the sword for men who probably wouldn't piss on their burning body is WILD to me but where is the love for female artists? And if not other black women, where does that love for such artists come from? Help me to understand this because I'm confused.