Megan O’Brien — Core Response #4

 In this week's readings we see various pop stars spark conversations surrounding their portrayal of race and gender identity in their art. With Madonna extenuating black masculinity, Beyonce aligning themes to classic white femininity/ the patriarchy, and Taylor Swift using her platform to promote feminism; it is interesting how each star faced a different response and had varying effects on audiences throughout their portrayal. Ultimately, the readings stated the central theme on the importance of recognition and deeper connections when displaying culture in art. 

Madonna was a star that thrived on appropriating both a gender and race different from her own: black masculinity. However her execution wasn’t successful representation due to the lack of sensitivity. Instead she dominated, exploited, and humiliated them for her own personal gain. This created resentment and a sense of painful ignorance from Madonna that formed hatred all the while sparking conversation. In regards to Hooks reading, Madonna could have had a very different effect artistically had she created a deeper personal connection with oppositional black culture. If she had understood “intimately the politics of exploitation, domination, and submission” and related that to her personal life, she could have created “acts of resistance that transform rather than simply seduce.” She stole a different persona opposed to creatively telling a new meaningful thought provoking story like she intended.

On the opposing side Taylor Swift spoke through her music to her intimate experience with the patriarchy. She created a significant impact on her community as she embraced and stood up for the female experience. However, she missed the mark for some, as it was argued that she only cared about feminism when it came to her. This forced backlash similar to Madonna since the community of women she was trying to represent didn’t feel seen or respected. People felt like she was insensitive for only complaining about women’s rights issues that impacted her professional success. Due to this she was pigeon holed to some women as a complaining singer with nothing more to say then her break up songs.

Beyonce had a unique relationship with these concepts as her debut solo album hindered the norm of society at that time. She “codified her work through whiteness and maleness” as stated in the Bey reading. Fans enjoyed her work and artistry despite her not demonstrating her community. However, in 2016 she utilized the change in the political conversation to promote her transformation to her new era of music that embraced her black feminine identity. She ignited an overwhelming conversation of people who felt seen by her and was able to add a new layer of meaning to her music. She was able to successfully embody what Madonna and Swift attempted to.

It is no secret that these stars have maintained the ultimate success regardless of not focusing on the impact of their artistic actions towards their communities. However, these articles demonstrate that while these stars are successful in the mainstream, there are entire communities that feel neglected or exploited by them. These readings showcase the added meaning to art when there is intentional thought regarding identity and impact artists can have when they utilize their platforms to represent and honor cultures. 

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