http://femficatio.com/2012/07/19/drag-the-illusion-of-femininity-black-face-and-has-it-gone-to-far/
Until the premier of Rupaul’s Drag Race in 2009, drag was a largely undiscussed sub culture. Drag queens were seen as a novelty by the general public, not as a legitimate form of entertainment. While the show has given drag a much needed spotlight, it also a different way of representing both masculinity and femininity. Holding to the general stereotype that females are expected to be in the background, or seen and not heard, drag queens offer a different representation. The normal drag personality is very loud and strong that will not be walked over by anybody for any reason. This female representation can be a motivator for real women to adopt that kind of strength. However, this also carries the subtextual message that in order for women to be stronger, the must be like men because, underneath the makeup, hair, and padding, drag queens are fully male. Men who do drag are seen as overly feminine and while they are in drag are seen as performing misogynistic caricatures of women, often compared to blackface, as seen in the article above.
http://www.logotv.com/video/misc/859981/bonus-episode-6-season-1-rupauls-all-stars-drag-race-raven-routine.jhtml#id=1697970
Above is a scene from the comedy challenge of the All Stars season finale on 11/26/12. This comedy skit, like the majority of drag comedy, is very crass and sexually charged. In it, Raven claims that her relationships last, “at least long enough for me to fix my makeup and start the car”. This type of humor pervades the show. For example, each week the queens are asked to show of their Creativity, Uniqueness, Nerve, and Talent (C. U. N. T.), or play mini games like In Da Butt Ru (a parody of the Newlywed Game).
Another personality trait that is portrayed on Rupaul’s Drag Race is alcohol culture. The show itself is sponsored by Absolut Vodka, which has been a strong supporter of LGBT rights throughout the years. The contestants are often complaining that they need a drink, or plugging Absolut. A strong example of this in drag culture is Kasha Davis, who, although she has not been on the show, is popular on the internet. In her cooking video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CT2FdG97MQ), she teaches how to make “Kasha’s Balls of Love”, with many references and consumption of cocktails.
Also, seeing how the queens interact on a personal level is something that can be translated as femininity. In drag culture, calling someone a bitch or a cunt is a term of endearment. There is also the habit of playfully insulting or, “reading” other queens. While this is done in jest, if done in such a public medium as Rupaul’s Drag Race is, it will put that message forth that’s it’s okay to do to anyone. Drag really is its own culture, and there are certain norms and regulations that don’t fit in normative American culture which may be translated through the show.
Having been a drag performer for the past year, I have seen all of these aspects represented on the show in bars and clubs, but on an amplified scale. Most drag queens have had a least two drinks before the club is even partially full, and the hosts are constantly making alcohol and drug references. The sexual overtones are also very prevalent and overwhelming. I myself have been called to stage by the host saying, “She’ll suck you off behind the dumpster for a McDonald’s cheeseburger, welcome Sheena Le Femme!”. While this is done to get the crowds energy up through humor, it still represents the female gender as cheap and slutty. Since the majority of drag audiences are gay males and straight women, both groups will get specific representations of femininity which they may possibly adopt.
While drag, and Drag Race does represent women in these negative and possibly misogynistic ways, it can also have a positive influence, specifically in terms of body image. A strong example of this is Season 4 Miss Congeniality, Latrice Royale. She is a larger queen, who, in the modeling industry as stated before, would be shoved into the box of “plus size”, as different than the other girls. In drag, she is extraordinarily respected for the confident way she puts herself across and the way she loves her body. She even describes herself as “Large and in charge. Chunky yet Funky. I am Latrice Royale”. Drag is completely about loving your body and accepting a person for every part of them, which also commonly highlighted in the show.
The success of the show has also given queens a voice for lgbt culture and rights. Willam Belli, from season 4, has utilized this newfound voice the best, by releasing a viral music video about the fast food chain Chik-Fil-A.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO-msplukrw
Through this satirical approach, Willam was able to educate the masses on the oppressive views of the chain. It also gave him the ability to voice his opinions in the 2012 election with this youtube clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcc0EMPcfhg
In this clip, it is clear that Willam has women’s rights in min and is genuinely trying to rally support for Obama, through his trademark flippant style.
Until the premier of Rupaul’s Drag Race in 2009, drag was a largely undiscussed sub culture. Drag queens were seen as a novelty by the general public, not as a legitimate form of entertainment. While the show has given drag a much needed spotlight, it also a different way of representing both masculinity and femininity. Holding to the general stereotype that females are expected to be in the background, or seen and not heard, drag queens offer a different representation. The normal drag personality is very loud and strong that will not be walked over by anybody for any reason. This female representation can be a motivator for real women to adopt that kind of strength. However, this also carries the subtextual message that in order for women to be stronger, the must be like men because, underneath the makeup, hair, and padding, drag queens are fully male. Men who do drag are seen as overly feminine and while they are in drag are seen as performing misogynistic caricatures of women, often compared to blackface, as seen in the article above.
http://www.logotv.com/video/misc/859981/bonus-episode-6-season-1-rupauls-all-stars-drag-race-raven-routine.jhtml#id=1697970
Above is a scene from the comedy challenge of the All Stars season finale on 11/26/12. This comedy skit, like the majority of drag comedy, is very crass and sexually charged. In it, Raven claims that her relationships last, “at least long enough for me to fix my makeup and start the car”. This type of humor pervades the show. For example, each week the queens are asked to show of their Creativity, Uniqueness, Nerve, and Talent (C. U. N. T.), or play mini games like In Da Butt Ru (a parody of the Newlywed Game).
Another personality trait that is portrayed on Rupaul’s Drag Race is alcohol culture. The show itself is sponsored by Absolut Vodka, which has been a strong supporter of LGBT rights throughout the years. The contestants are often complaining that they need a drink, or plugging Absolut. A strong example of this in drag culture is Kasha Davis, who, although she has not been on the show, is popular on the internet. In her cooking video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CT2FdG97MQ), she teaches how to make “Kasha’s Balls of Love”, with many references and consumption of cocktails.
Also, seeing how the queens interact on a personal level is something that can be translated as femininity. In drag culture, calling someone a bitch or a cunt is a term of endearment. There is also the habit of playfully insulting or, “reading” other queens. While this is done in jest, if done in such a public medium as Rupaul’s Drag Race is, it will put that message forth that’s it’s okay to do to anyone. Drag really is its own culture, and there are certain norms and regulations that don’t fit in normative American culture which may be translated through the show.
Having been a drag performer for the past year, I have seen all of these aspects represented on the show in bars and clubs, but on an amplified scale. Most drag queens have had a least two drinks before the club is even partially full, and the hosts are constantly making alcohol and drug references. The sexual overtones are also very prevalent and overwhelming. I myself have been called to stage by the host saying, “She’ll suck you off behind the dumpster for a McDonald’s cheeseburger, welcome Sheena Le Femme!”. While this is done to get the crowds energy up through humor, it still represents the female gender as cheap and slutty. Since the majority of drag audiences are gay males and straight women, both groups will get specific representations of femininity which they may possibly adopt.
While drag, and Drag Race does represent women in these negative and possibly misogynistic ways, it can also have a positive influence, specifically in terms of body image. A strong example of this is Season 4 Miss Congeniality, Latrice Royale. She is a larger queen, who, in the modeling industry as stated before, would be shoved into the box of “plus size”, as different than the other girls. In drag, she is extraordinarily respected for the confident way she puts herself across and the way she loves her body. She even describes herself as “Large and in charge. Chunky yet Funky. I am Latrice Royale”. Drag is completely about loving your body and accepting a person for every part of them, which also commonly highlighted in the show.
The success of the show has also given queens a voice for lgbt culture and rights. Willam Belli, from season 4, has utilized this newfound voice the best, by releasing a viral music video about the fast food chain Chik-Fil-A.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO-msplukrw
Through this satirical approach, Willam was able to educate the masses on the oppressive views of the chain. It also gave him the ability to voice his opinions in the 2012 election with this youtube clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcc0EMPcfhg
In this clip, it is clear that Willam has women’s rights in min and is genuinely trying to rally support for Obama, through his trademark flippant style.
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