Cardi B uses her platform to show how privileged women are dominating the platform. It’s time to listen to the poor women, sex workers, queer women, disabled women, and women of color who deserve for their voice to be heard.[/pullquote]Cardi B, formerly known as Belcalis Almanzar, is one of the few women in the rap industry and continues to excel with the success of songs like “Bodak Yellow”. Her latest album Invasion of Privacy has diverse rhythmic styles and feminist messages. The album features riveting collaborations with Migos, Chance the Rapper, Bad Bunny & J Balvin, Kehlani, 21 Savage, and SZA. All the while, Cardi B is set to go on tour with Bruno Mars for their collaboration “Finesse”. Her heightened success from her humble origins as a stripper is a true feminist manifesto and testament to the hard work of women of color everywhere. In the midst of all of her success, Cardi B is also having a baby, showing that you can simultaneously have a career and a child.

The Bronx native didn’t always have the public’s grace. Earlier this year she was under fire for using the slur “tr*nny”. Cardi B showed remorse for making the comment but wanted to encourage a sense of dialogue amongst the LGBT community.

According to New York Daily News, Cardi B said, “I keep getting called transphobic because two years ago I used the word tr*nny. I didn’t know that was a word that you cannot use, especially because my trans friends use it. Why don’t you educate me and say, ‘Hey, you’re not supposed to use that word, you know that’s derogatory.’”

Cardi B was also criticized for defending rapper and husband Offset after he had said “I don’t vibe with queers”, according to New York Daily News. He claimed that he meant the word queer in its literal definition instead of referring to the LGBT+ community. In a video she posted on social media to defend him, she said that we should educate instead of debate.

“Why don’t y’all educate people?” Cardi B said,” A lot of people are not aware about what’s wrong or right in the LGBTQ community.”

While Cardi B thought she was making a good statement, it was very offensive to the LGBT+ community. Minorities constantly advocate that it is not their job to educate people. People must take the initiative to educate themselves before asking incredibly personal and probing questions to marginalized persons. Regardless, these incidents hardly damaged Cardi B’s career. She is still on the rise and the release of her new album has elevated her higher than ever.

Invasion of Privacy consists of 13 songs, including “Bodak Yellow” which was released June 16, 2017. Cardi B’s album touches on her relationship with Offset (“Bartier Cardi” and “Thru Your Phone”), ideas of femininity (“I Do”), and her success (“Best Life”, “Bodak Yellow”, “Get Up 10”, “Money Bag”). The rapper has a “boss mentality” that aligns with the feminist movement. Her song “Get Up 10” has the statement  “knock me down nine times, but I get up ten” which she also posted on her Twitter. The song serves as a motivational feminist anthem. Cardi B is also involved in feminist movements like the #MeToo movement where she advocates for women of color and sex workers. In an interview with Cosmopolitan she gave her views of sexual harassment for sex workers and video vixens.

This criticism of the #MeToo movement shows how mainstream white feminism, feminism that excludes racial and sexual minorities, doesn’t stand up for poor women, sex workers, queer women, disabled women, and women of color who are all affected by sexual assault. This criticism is necessary. Poor women of color who don’t receive a formal education are disregarded in mainstream feminism. Cardi B uses her platform to show how privileged women are dominating the platform. It’s time to listen to the poor women, sex workers, queer women, disabled women, and women of color who deserve for their voice to be heard.  Women of color are also heavily criticized during their pregnancy, and women everywhere are discouraged from having a baby at the start of their career.

The stigma of being a “welfare queen” sticks with black and latino women with children. Cardi B has been criticized for having a baby out of wedlock and starting a career with her child. Cardi B, however, is more sure of her capabilities as mother and artist, as she said in an interview with Power 105.1.

“I’m a grown woman. I’m 25 years old. I’m gonna say this in the most humblest way — I’m a schmillionaire. And I’m prepared for this,” said Cardi B.

Cardi B’s not stopping her career for a baby, and it’s definitely inspiring. Women have time and time again proven themselves capable of raising a child while keeping their career. At the end of the day, it’s a woman’s choice on what to do with her body.  This feminist attitude in a male-dominated field is an inspiration to the women of color everywhere who are often criticized for their decisions. The feminist manifesto and life choices of Cardi B can encourage women everywhere to take charge of their lives, bodies, and careers.