I’ve learned about cultural appropriation for years in my classes and through conversations. We have all see the ways in which white people have appropriated elements of different cultures such as Black culture or Latinx culture. Typically, this adoption of culture is through fashion, slang, or other trends, and most of the time, the true creators of these elements are never credited. Though I have learned about the issue of cultural appropriation for years, I really saw it when watching Paris is Burning.
The article titled “How Black Queer Ballroom Culture Shaped Modern Digital Life” written by Talia Smith summed up what I observed while watching the documentary and offered more information I hadn’t even thought about. Smith discusses the unrecognized influence that LGBTQ+ Black and Latinx ball-goers had on our culture today.
While watching the documentary, I noticed the undeniable influence ball culture had on the slang of 2023. Throughout the documentary, I observed that ballroom icons would use words like “shade,” and “slay,” which are two extremely popular words used by teens and young adults in our current climate. I knew these words had a history of being used and were made popular by Black members of the LGBTQ+ community, and I even remember seeing posts about this on Instagram back in 2020/2021. However, I know that for many, knowledge surrounding the history of these words is non-existent. It is disappointing that elements of white popular culture can become so popular without even recognizing where they came from. For the icons of the ballroom era in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, the balls, these words, and dressing up were all ways of expressing and being who they wanted to be. In the ballroom, there were no rules or restrictions. So, using these words without understanding the significance feels wrong.
I think it is very interesting how Paris is Burning is able to serve as a time capsule. Now, in 2023, we are able to look at this film and see the ways in which our culture has changed. At the time of the Paris is Burning’s release, people completely unconnected to ball culture may have watched the documentary and not known any of the language used. But now, people that are still unconnected to ball culture can see the ways in which this art form and community has entered into popular culture.
Here is Smith’s article: https://nowthisnews.com/news/how-black-queer-ballroom-culture-shaped-modern-digital-life
Great search Bella. It is very interesting to look back and see how Harlem Ball culture influences us in so many ways today through appropriation. First starting with Madonna’s song Vogue, pieces of this culture have been replicated time and time again. One thing I find interesting is the lack of knowledge people have about the origins of drag culture. Before seeing the movie, the only thing I knew about drag was that Ru Paul did it. It’s very interesting to see how the culture flourished before entering the mainstream. With more information coming out about these origins, we as a society are able to give credit to the blood,sweat,tears, and sacrifices Harlem Ballers gave to help bolster drag to the phenomenon it is today.