"In this Article we will address the controversy and open the conversation. How thick is the line between imitating femininity and womanhood? And how exactly can one uplift a woman while being a female impersonator?"--Jada White
Opening the Conversation on Drag-
When addressing the topic of Drag Queens and Kings, opinions differ. Some may say, they are the pioneers of gay culture, others may not. In this Article we will address the controversy and open the conversation. How thick is the line between imitating femininity and womanhood? And how exactly can one uplift a woman while being a female impersonator?
Well impersonating femininity is mimicking societal laws. Like wearing a dress or a skirt. Or even wearing makeup, which fortunately is becoming more normal (for someone who identifies with the male gender). But the difference between that and womanhood is a big one. Woman hood is something every woman is born with, including transgender females. In order to obtain womanhood, you have to deal with all the negativity there is to being a woman. And if you don’t identify as a female, then you can’t relate to that type of oppression.
Well to uplift a woman while being a female impersonator isn't a hard task. This can relate to how filmmakers can make characters without offending anyone. If you’re a female impersonator, then do your thing without making jokes toward half the population.
To give an example of exploitation and expression, an excerpt of my essay for Art History;
“ Drag, or to be more precise, Drag Queens, have been known throughout centuries, as female impersonators. Performing as a Drag Queen can be looked at as both the exploitation and expression of the female body. It depends on the intention of the individual performer. In some cases, when comedians make mischievous and sexist pokes to cis-female actresses and politicians, it is looked at as demeaning and cruel. But, when Drag performers perform for the sake of liberation and certain assertion, that is when we are shown the difference between.
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Exploitation-- the act of treating someone unfairly to benefit from their work, and expression-- the process of making known one’s thoughts or feelings. The difference, paper thin, is the intention\--a thing intended; an aim or a plan. To be able to sustain the continuity of Drag Culture, we need to create lines that the performers can’t cross. We need to be clear, that dressing up as a woman, being a cis-man, does not make you feel the oppression women suffer. That high heels and pumps don’t automatically categorize you in the bubble of rebels. That acting as a damsel in distress in womens clothing does not make you any less than a pawn in the society you so viciously want to interrupt. Being a woman is not a part-time job, it is a full time occupation that you can’t be fired from. Please understand, the thing between your legs isn’t the thing that makes you female, it’s the things between your ears.”
When you dress up as a woman, and poke fun at celebrities and politicians who are also women, you aren’t breaking gender roles. But, it would be unfair to categorize a whole culture when only a few are sore thumbs.
But, Drag Queens, when they aren’t exploiting the female body, are one of the most fashion forward and creative group of people. They create personas who dress up in butterfly wings, and wear wigs the size of small statues. They are completely overlooked and underappreciated for their contribution to modern fashion. They build communities upon their oppression, and fight back toward the societal pressures there are to be a gay man.
One thing we could do better, as non-drag members of society, is create a safe space, for not only Drag Queens, but Drag Kings and Monsters alike. And, to clarify Drag Kings are male impersonators. That go out their way to dress and look like a man.Not only do they deserve the utmost respect for their courage but a round of applause as well.
When addressing the topic of Drag Queens and Kings, opinions differ. Some may say, they are the pioneers of gay culture, others may not. In this Article we will address the controversy and open the conversation. How thick is the line between imitating femininity and womanhood? And how exactly can one uplift a woman while being a female impersonator?
Well impersonating femininity is mimicking societal laws. Like wearing a dress or a skirt. Or even wearing makeup, which fortunately is becoming more normal (for someone who identifies with the male gender). But the difference between that and womanhood is a big one. Woman hood is something every woman is born with, including transgender females. In order to obtain womanhood, you have to deal with all the negativity there is to being a woman. And if you don’t identify as a female, then you can’t relate to that type of oppression.
Well to uplift a woman while being a female impersonator isn't a hard task. This can relate to how filmmakers can make characters without offending anyone. If you’re a female impersonator, then do your thing without making jokes toward half the population.
To give an example of exploitation and expression, an excerpt of my essay for Art History;
“ Drag, or to be more precise, Drag Queens, have been known throughout centuries, as female impersonators. Performing as a Drag Queen can be looked at as both the exploitation and expression of the female body. It depends on the intention of the individual performer. In some cases, when comedians make mischievous and sexist pokes to cis-female actresses and politicians, it is looked at as demeaning and cruel. But, when Drag performers perform for the sake of liberation and certain assertion, that is when we are shown the difference between.
...
Exploitation-- the act of treating someone unfairly to benefit from their work, and expression-- the process of making known one’s thoughts or feelings. The difference, paper thin, is the intention\--a thing intended; an aim or a plan. To be able to sustain the continuity of Drag Culture, we need to create lines that the performers can’t cross. We need to be clear, that dressing up as a woman, being a cis-man, does not make you feel the oppression women suffer. That high heels and pumps don’t automatically categorize you in the bubble of rebels. That acting as a damsel in distress in womens clothing does not make you any less than a pawn in the society you so viciously want to interrupt. Being a woman is not a part-time job, it is a full time occupation that you can’t be fired from. Please understand, the thing between your legs isn’t the thing that makes you female, it’s the things between your ears.”
When you dress up as a woman, and poke fun at celebrities and politicians who are also women, you aren’t breaking gender roles. But, it would be unfair to categorize a whole culture when only a few are sore thumbs.
But, Drag Queens, when they aren’t exploiting the female body, are one of the most fashion forward and creative group of people. They create personas who dress up in butterfly wings, and wear wigs the size of small statues. They are completely overlooked and underappreciated for their contribution to modern fashion. They build communities upon their oppression, and fight back toward the societal pressures there are to be a gay man.
One thing we could do better, as non-drag members of society, is create a safe space, for not only Drag Queens, but Drag Kings and Monsters alike. And, to clarify Drag Kings are male impersonators. That go out their way to dress and look like a man.Not only do they deserve the utmost respect for their courage but a round of applause as well.
