“Gentlemen, start your engines. And, may the best woman win!” –RuPaul Charles
I often hear people say how culturally rich our society is. What’s strikes me as funny is that our society is rich in the cultures we want to accept. When someone or something new breaks through our comfortable walls that we’ve built, things change. I’m not saying that our society isn’t culturally rich; it absolutely is. But, we rely very heavily on this idea of the “status quo”; or, for those wordplay-challenged, the “existing state”. What’s normal in our worlds, in other words. When something isn’t normal, people freak out. The picture above is of Sutan Amrull, or “Raja”. Sutan is a world-famous makeup artist, who’s worked with people like Dita Von Teese, Adam Lambert (he just so happens to be his best friend) and, for a number of years, Tyra Banks. For those of you who have followed America’s Next Top Model all of these years; do you remember that adorable makeup artist whenever the girls did photoshoots? That’s Sutan. The man is also a drag queen. More importantly, he’s an artist, but there’s a very specific reason why I chose this picture:
Most people are uncomfortable with drag queens.
This is because it’s not exactly in our status quo for a man to dress up as a female-impersonator. Whether they’re doing it as a career, for fun, or for any other reason, the moment a drag queen walks into a room, everything changes. Personally speaking, I love drag queens. It’s an art form that fascinates me very much and I’m shamelessly addicted to RuPaul’s Drag Race on Logo. This picture, for the most part, receives only one reaction: shock. It challenges our existing, “normal” state of living. But, why? Is it because the men in America aren’t comfortable enough in their own skin to be in the same room as a female-impersonator? Most people I’ve talked to find it uncomfortable and repulsive. They think drag queens shouldn’t do what they do. This is the problem.
We’ve been led to believe a certain way; through societal norms, propaganda and so many other avenues of discrimination. We read, specifically in chapter nine of Exploring Language, that we’re allowed certain rights. Eleanor Roosevelt speaks very eloquently and very strongly about this in her speech “The Struggle For Human Rights”. We’re allowed certain human rights; doesn’t this include our right to dress, act and be whoever we wish? For me, there’s something extremely amazing about a man being bold enough to go “where no man has gone before”. There’s no denying that drag is eclectic and uncommon in our society, but in my opinion, all of the best things in life has some level of discomfort.
Sutan is currently a contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race and is, quite frankly, the fiercest queen there. I’ll tell anyone that I want her to win because she’s got the “charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent” that any good drag queen needs to prevail. Do I think that this picture in particular will do things to break the silence of the status quo? Maybe not. But, do I think that Raja will do something positive to turn our thoughts around? Absolutely. Man or woman (or man-impersonating-woman), we’re all human; even if we’re not treated like that all of the time. Lady Gaga says, “Don’t be a drag, be a queen”. I say “halleloo” to that.
“I often hear people say how culturally rich our society is. What’s strikes me as funny is that our society is rich in the cultures we want to accept.”
ReplyDeleteCulture as defined by dictionary.com is the quality in a person or society that arises from a concern for what is regarded as excellent in arts, letters, manners, scholarly pursuits, etc. Google defines culture as the knowledge and values shared by a society. By definition, culture is what the society has chosen to value. But then again, that’s part of the beauty in culture. if every nation accepted and embraced every culture, where would the originally be?
The photograph of Sutan may be uncomfortable to people for more reasons than simply the fact that he is a drag queen. The initial shock factor comes from the fact that the person in is naked. It is only after this moment of shock subsides that your mind even registers that the “woman” in the photograph has very masculine features.
For many people, this is not a cultural, but a moral issue. In many instances this a sin issue in which case it is reasonable that those people would not want to be exposed to this or allow their children to be exposed to such behavior. Now, do not mishear me: It is not the individual who is disapproved of; it is the actions of the individual.
This is definitely “challenging the status quo,” but the question is, in this instance is that really a good thing? Some may say yes in favor of ‘open-mindedness.’ However, many may so no in favor of morality.
I really enjoyed this last post and I too loved watching RuPaul’s Drag Race. I see it all the time that people like to brag about how culturally diverse our country is, but as seen with Proposition Eight, some things are too much for the public to handle. Gay marriage was too much against the status quo and the American public showed that by voting yes. If something is too extreme or different people go against it, nothing must go against the status quo. This goes with the disgust that some feel when drag queens, or simply just gay individuals are brought into light. This closed minded view is what most frustrates and angers me in a society that prides itself on being diverse.
ReplyDeleteBut some in our society do not follow this belief, and thank goodness for that. They believe that the freedom to dress however you want and be attracted to whoever you want is given to every American citizen. We should never be happy in a society that takes away the basic human right to freedom of life and personal expression. RuPaul’s Drag Race is a sign that this close minded, stick to the status quo view is slowly weakening and that hopefully it will disappear forever.
There is no such thing as “normal.” Instead, we follow the norms of our society. Just because we're not use to something we immediately label it as taboo. In western society we usually do not accept drag queens, but in Thailand they're the center of attention. Well, they're not technically drag queens, and they don't dress up as wild as the drags do.
ReplyDeleteThe picture below is three beautiful ladies, or should I say men. This is a pageant known as Miss Tiffany Universe that is held in Thailand and is widely accepted in their culture. In our western society, something like this would not follow the desired status quo, but instead it is considered as taboo.
http://www.thaiphotoblogs.com/media/blogs/new/tiffany2009b.jpg
I honestly think that RuPaul is an amazing and artistic person. I like how people like him are not afraid of what others thinks about them and they refuse to be a “cookie cutter.” People like RuPaul do have the rights to dress as they want and live their life as they please. What I think is immoral is only if the acts of drag queens violates someone's rights. But do they? No they absolutely do not. Instead some people discriminate them as well as those who discriminate black or gays.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the delay in commenting I was going to do it the same night I posted but procrastination got the better of me. I really enjoyed your post and it gave me the ideas for my rant along with some refreshing personal stories of my own. I want to clarify something real quick I did not love working at Walgreens, but I did love the experiences I was apart of and I did love the never a dull moment when it comes to customers. That job was bad but it did pay the bills so can't complain. Anyways back to this wonderful idea of acceptance.
ReplyDeleteSo in your post you use dressing in drag as your main idea and I agree with you completely why does the status quo dictate our thoughts? Why can't we believe what we want to be believe and not be criticized for it? I took Sociology 101 over the wintersession and I also got more eye opening experiences in human sexuality. I personally think everyone should take that class. Not just college students, the entire nation at some point in there life study human interaction and behavior. It would open their minds to the possibilities beyond their own realm of thought.
Acceptance, what a concept. I haven't seen the inspirational photo/saying anywhere. Why? The best one I have seen so far was the one of failure. It had a photo of a crestfallen runner placing either last or some pitiful spot. And the caption said, Failure: When your best just isn't good enough. Thats the letter grade we as humanity receive in the area of acceptance of others, an F...
Sorry, had more to add...