Who said the ladies couldn’t make it, you must be blind
If you don’t believe, well here, listen to this rhyme
Ladies first, there’s no time to rehearse
I’m divine and my mind expands throughout the universe
—Queen Latifah and Monie Love, “Ladies First”
Are you a lady who is empowered or has empowered others? Do you know any powerful women who have or are presently paving the way for others? Perhaps this person is your grandmother, mother, sister, daughter, teacher, colleague or mentor.
In honor of “Women’s History Month,” I would like to acknowledge one of the great female lyricists to command respect as an MC and a person. Queen Latifah, aka Dana Owens, may only be known to some as an actor, or a Cover Girl model who occasionally releases a jazz and R & B compilation. Nevertheless, there once was a time when she was a force on the microphone as a rapper. Over twenty years ago, Queen Latifah teamed up with London rapper, Monie Love, to give women a voice and to acknowledge how far we have come and why we are deserving of respect from our male counterparts.
Queen Latifah implores the listener to not simply accept what others say but to create her own destiny. “Who said the ladies couldn’t make it, you must be blind.” Most people have heard the old cliche phrase, “Sometimes people are their own worse enemies.” Unfortunately, many women give up or choose to use their sexuality instead of their brains before they even get a chance to enter the game of life because they do not think they are capable of meeting their goals or being respected as women because of brainwashing and conditioning. Even though women may need to assert themselves in a more fastidious way than their male counterparts at times, this does not mean that they cannot or will not be victorious.
We are all “divine,” but women must also recognize the power of the mind. It starts with a thought; then it will manifest itself throughout the universe. Be positive, embrace your “womenhood,” and do not allow anyone to suggest that you should come second; take care of yourself first. If you are a man, embrace the women in your life. Support them in their endeavors; give them the respect they deserve. Just think, Queen Latifah’s song, “Ladies First” started out as an idea and became a classic empowerment rap anthem for ladies. It has definitely impacted my life and a multitude of others. Don’t let this Women’s History Month go by without paying homage to those women who have impacted you directly or indirectly.
Please feel free to share your thoughts
~Anonomz aka Tanya Harris
Bonus English Lesson:
Queen Latifah uses the standard couplet rhyme for these specific lyrics. However, she does employ a slant rhyme for the first couplet focusing on the assonance of the sound: Blind and Rhyme. The long “I” sound resounds.
Journey of Anonomz 
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