What is 304 Culture?
The internet is the center of adolescent slang, which has an endless stream and is always re-inventing itself. Within the past two years, TikTok has been the most popular social media for Gen Z and Gen Alpha slang. You may have had the number 304 pop up on your For You Page — either in videos, captions, or comments. You may have heard it on television and in music. But what does it mean?
Screenshot Media sources Urban Dictionary to define 304. The culture can be best characterized as “a euphemism for a ‘promiscuous’ woman, who expresses her sexuality freely and openly, or a sex worker.”
But you’re still probably wondering why this culture is named after 304. And no, the answer is not as simple as an area code, for example. Its origin is far more clever. TikTok explains that if you take an old-school LED calculator, type the number 304, and flip it backward, it should read h*e.
The Evolution of 304 Culture?
Now that we know the definition of 304, we must figure out how it started. 304 is a lifestyle. And like many lifestyles, it did not appear out of thin air. Sexually liberated women have been around throughout history — in their own ways and according to the times.
One of the earliest examples known to man was Mary Magdalene. She was a proud sex worker chosen by Jesus Christ (as the legend goes) to help him pioneer Christianity and Catholicism. A famous example from the beginning of the “modern age” is Marilyn Monroe. Monroe, a famous actress, was very open and proud about her sexuality in her interviews as well as her movies. Back in the golden age of Hollywood, she caused a stir in nuclear suburbia with her seductive persona and her fashion choices. She was even the center of a case of infidelity involving the 35th president John F. Kennedy.
Another example was Adina Howard. She caused controversy after the release of her song “Freak Like Me” back in February of 1995. The song symbolized her open sexuality, consisting of overtly sexual lyrics and a sex-positive message. Later that same year, many people protested, demanding that the song be taken off the radio and stripped of any royalties, as it was “vulgar and inappropriate for children.” Similarly to Lil Kim, the notorious sexual artist of the 1990s, Howard was constantly facing criticism throughout the decade. Several pop culture publications as well as Howard herself (though years later) admitted that the song caused her to be blackballed from the music industry.
The Modern 304 Girl
The modern 304 girls specifically target African-American female rappers, including Cardi B, Megan the Stallion, Sexy Redd, and countless more. These rappers have re-defined modern 304 culture in their songs. Some indicators are: revealing clothing that surpasses past generations, advocating for their physical pleasures, gaining financial independence, and looking good at the same time. Social media has been a massive game changer, making 304 culture more accessible and amplifying its role within our society. However, it has not been entirely welcomed with open arms. Some people have accepted and even incorporated aspects of 304 culture into their daily lives, while others have protested against it, arguing online that 304 culture is harmful to children and normalizes toxic values.
Backlash Against 304 Culture
Thanks to social media and societal shifts, the 304 culture your grandmother grew up with is not the same as today. Apps like TikTok have pushed the culture to be more graphic and open. While researching the topic, I was in a state of confusion and shock, as I found little to no resources with actual journalistic integrity. Instead, the internet provided me with hours of unsupported opinions, and the majority came from men.
The men’s reasoning was very similar to the previous section — that 304 culture was harmful to children and destroyed black families and cultures. However, another reason stirred up controversy as well. Male TikTok users have stated that the culture simultaneously diminishes the quality of a woman and awards low-value women.
In response, women highlighted the observation that men have done the same thing, only to go unnoticed or even be rewarded. 304s themselves pointed out that despite male backlash, men still consume their services.
Is the Heat of 304 Culture Fueled by Misogyny?
After seeing the backlash, I wondered if the double perception of 304 culture primarily stems from misogyny.
304 culture claims to be and perhaps is indeed a flip on gender roles. It challenges centuries of gender standards that largely did not involve female input. It is a strive for equality similar to feminism. That is what makes 304 so controversial — but it does not necessarily make it misogynistic. The definition of misogyny is “dislike of, contempt for or ingrained prejudice against women.” Thus, misogyny is more so exemplified by the people who judge 304 content.
In 2021, The Breakfast Club’s Angela Yee reported that after the backlash toward her VMA performance of “WAP” with Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B stated on her social media that the song was not about female empowerment nor for kids. She emphasized that people should not permit their kids to mold their identity based on her content. She strongly advocated for parents to improve their efforts when deciding what content their children should consume. Cardi B wanted to express that her content is simply a reflection of who she is.
Now don’t get me wrong — I am not saying that women who identify with 304 culture cannot be oppressive towards men. Many 304 female artists like Megan Thee Stallion have been accused of such. But a couple of bad apples does not mean that people should paint 304 culture in a bad light. For all groups — racial demographic, economic status, or nationality — we should refrain from determining their reputation solely based on a few stereotypes.
Can 304 survive the revolution?
Throughout the article, I highlighted the impact of social media, which allows for issues and culture to be easily expressed, understood, and magnified. These issues span women’s right to vote, the surge of women graduating from college, the invention of birth control, and sex discrimination in workplace reforms from the 1970s to the current day.
Now that women in Western society have so much freedom, one question arises: How do advancements impact 304 culture? Many are hesitant after some downward turns with government decisions. However, we still have headstrong women such as AOC and Maura Healy who serve as electoral representatives in Washington D.C.
The shifting of politics during each election season may tip the scales. Our attention naturally goes to those who represent Congress and the judicial and supreme courts. Many elected officials already in office, along with the new ones to come, have communicated strong disdain for the overturning of Roe v. Wade and wish to set it back in women’s favor. 304 culture can use this opportunity to make new advancements and preserve their values of unapologetically open sexuality.
Regardless of the potential fate of 304 culture, we should not demonize someone just because we do not agree with certain life choices. One of the best things about life is the possibility of choice. Despite the barriers of race, gender, economic status, and nationality, most of us still have some say in how we live our lives. It is important to acknowledge, especially with society hiding behind screens, that humanity can only thrive if we let it. And we will not do that by constantly criticizing and tearing down others.
