“As Mother Corey notes, throwing shade is an evolution of reading where direct insult becomes unnecessary. Throwing shade is slant insult whereby a person talks about someone indirectly” [1]
Timothy oleksiak, “when queers listen”
Definition
Queer cultures, like any other cultural group, are not monolithic, so its tough to give a one-size-fits all answer. However, reading in the context of queer cultures often refers to the act of playful, witty, and sometimes sassy criticism or teasing. It’s a way for the members of the community to express themselves. Reading can take various forms from non-verbal insults or clever banter to a more direct, pointed commentary, and its often rooted in a shared understanding and language within the queer community. It’s like a linguistic dance that fosters both individual expression and a sense of belonging.
Shade is like the cousin of reading in queer cultures. While reading involves playful criticism and teasing, throwing shade takes it a step further, its more subtle, often indirect, and wrapped in layers of sarcasm. It’s a form of expression that allows individuals to comment or criticize without explicitly stating their thoughts. The term “shade” carries an air of sophistication and finesse, like an art form within communication. It’s a way for members of the queer community to navigate complex social dynamics, address sensitive topics, or call out behavior they find questionable, all while maintaining a certain level of style and flair.
History
The terms’ origins can be traced to Black and Latino drag ball culture in Harlem. Drag queens, in particular, engaged in “reading sessions” where they would playfully criticize each other’s appearance, fashion choices, or performances. Over time, this evolved into a form of bonding and a demonstration of wit and verbal dexterity. The practice was used often in the 1980s, but become popular after the release of Paris is Burning, in 1990. “Shade” evolved from the practice of reading. “Throwing shade” is an extension of reading, adding an extra layer of subtlety and finesse. It is thought to have originated form the expressions “throwing shade” or “casting shade,” which mean to disrespect or criticize someone. Shade grew into a way of reading that is more sly, ironic, and indirect to display greater disapproval or disagreement.
Examples
In RuPaul’s Drag Race, a reading session is a part of a challenge known as “Reading is Fun-da-mental” mini-challenge. this challenge is a playful nod to the drag tradition of reading, where queens humorously criticize or tease each other. It is a way to showcase wit, quick thinking, and a sharp tongue. During the challenge, contestants take turns reading their fellow competitors. The queens deliver humorous and often exaggerated critiques, poking fun at each other’s drag, personalities, or quirks. The goal is to be funny and entertaining while maintaining a certai level of respect and camaraderie. RuPaul, the show’s host and creator, encourages the queens to let their personalities shine and show off their comedic chops. It not only provides moments of hilarity in the show, but also allows contestants to demonstrate their ability to handle humor and banter, essential skills in the world of drag.
Rihanna is displaying a non-verbal form of shade. Its form of communication relies on gestures, facial expressions, body language, or other non-verbal cues to convey a message. This can be a subtle and sophisticated way of reading, inherently throwing shade.
- side-eye: glancing as Rihanna is doing can communicate disapproval
- exaggerated facial expressions: convey emotion without explicitly stating them
- body language: distancing oneself physically can signal disapproval as Rihanna has done with closed off, disinterested body language (stating “who are you?”)
- Gestures: a dismissive wave of the hand or a subtle hand gesture can convey a lack of interest or approval (Rihanna does not firmly shake the man’s hand nor really give him the attention of a proper greeting)
This is a famous example of a read from Venus Xtravaganza documented in Paris Is Burning. It involves a mix of confidence, body positivity, and a playful insult.
- “Touch this skin, darling, touch this skin honey, touch all of this skin! Okay?” – Asserts confidence, inviting attention to the speaker’s skin, emphasizing a sense of pride. Terms like “darling” and “honey” adds a touch of flirtation and sass.
- “You just can’t take it!” – Venus is saying that the listener is unable to handle her fabulousness or attractiveness, asserting some superiority.
- “You are just an overgrown orangutan!” – This is the shade, comparing someone to an overgrown orangutan is like calling them unsophisticated and lacking style. This is a perfect use of humor and exaggeration to deliver the read.
Importance to Queer Communities and Mainstream Pollution
Reading and shade play crucial roles in the queer community, offering unique modes of communication and expression. Here are some reasons why they hold significance. They are integral aspects of queer culture, especially in drag and ballroom scenes. Engaging in these shared practices fosters a sense of belonging and shared experience among the community members, fostering some cultural bonding. Performing reading sessions or throwing shade can be an empowering act. It allows individuals to reclaim language and use it as a tool for self-expression, asserting their identity, and challenging societal norms or prejudices. The queer community has historically faced discrimination and marginalization. Reading and shade provide a subversive and creative means to challenge mainstream expectations, norms, and stereotypes. Humor is a powerful coping mechanism, and reading often involves humor and wit. In the face of adversity, the ability to find amusement and joy, even in critique, can be resilient response. Reading also allows individuals to celebrate their uniqueness and differences. It encourages self-expression and the embrace of diverse identities within the queer community, celebrating the individuality found within the queer culture. Participating in reading sessions or engaging in shade creates a sense of community. It is a way for individuals to connect, form bonds, and navigate shared experiences, creating a supportive environment. Within drag performance, reading and shade are essential artistic elements. They showcase not just fashion and beauty but also the performer’s ability to communicate, entertain, and provoke thought through artistic expression. The language and practices of reading have permeated popular culture, thanks in part to shows like “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” This cultural influence helps reshape societal attitudes towards queer expression.
While the adoption of reading and shade by popular culture has brought aspects of queer expression into the mainstream, there are potential downsides to this trend. When elements of queer culture, like reading and shade, become trendy in mainstream culture, there’s a risk of misappropriation. The original meaning and significance might be diluted or distorted, leading to a superficial understanding that does not respect the cultural roots. The incorporation of reading and shade into popular culture can lead to tokenization, where these practices are used for entertainment without a deeper understanding of their historical and cultural context. this can reduce them to stereotypes and caricatures. Reading and shade have historically been subversive tools for marginalized communities to challenge norms and assert their identity. When co=opted by mainstream culture, there’s a risk of these practices losing their subversive power, becoming mere trends than powerful forms of resistance. Mainstream adoption can lead to the commodification of queer culture, turning it into a marketable product. This can perpetuate a consumer-driven and profit-orientated approach that may not align with the original intentions of these expressions. Popular culture often cherry-picks aspects of queer culture for mainstream consumption, potentially reinforcing stereotypes or presenting a limited, one-dimensional view. This selective representation can contribute to misunderstanding and perpetuate harmful stereotypes. The voices of the most marginalized within the queer community may be overlooked in the process of mainstream adoption. This can lead to a distorted narrative that doesn’t accurately represent the diversity and intersectionality within the community. The adoption of reading and shade by popular culture might contribute to the erosion of safe spaces. Queer spaces, where these expressions originated, have historically provided a sanctuary for self-expression. Their widespread popularity may inadvertently compromise these safe havens.
Works Cited
Calder, Jeremy. “Let’s Talk about Reading!”: The Role of Rhythm in Drag Queen Ritual Insult. 24 Sept. 2014.
Chloe Davis. “Radio 4 in Four – Realness, Fierceness and Throwing Shade: What Is LGBTQIA+ Slang and Why Is It so Important?” BBC, BBC, 24 Feb. 2021, www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3m575ghrjG8WpxRJ2hvNZbY/realness-fierceness-and-throwing-shade-what-is-lgbtqia-slang-and-why-is-it-so-important. Accessed 12 Oct. 2023.
Davis, Seth E. “Shade: Literacy Narratives at Black Gay Pride.” Literacy in Composition Studies, vol. 7, no. 2, 9 Dec. 2019, pp. 56–89. Literacy in Composition Studies, https://doi.org/10.21623/1.7.2.4.
Lopez, Linette. “This Is Where the Expression “Throw Shade” Comes From.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 4 Mar. 2015, www.businessinsider.com/where-the-expression-throw-shade-comes-from-2015-3. Accessed 12 Oct. 2023.
RuPaul’s Drag Race. “Every Reading Challenge (Compilation Part 1) | the Library Is Open | RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Www.youtube.com, RuPaul’s Drag Race, 15 Dec. 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFn_AzQuJWQ. Accessed 12 Oct. 2023.
Serpell, C. Namwali. “Notes on Shade.” Post45: Peer Reviewed, vol. 1, no. 5, 15 Jan. 2021. Post45 Data Collective, post45.org/2021/01/serpell-notes-on-shade/. Accessed 12 Oct. 2023.
[1] Tennant, Tyler Allen. “Reading Challenges: A Feel Your Fantasy Introduction – Post45.” Post45, 20 Dec. 2022. Pos45 Data Collective, post45.org/2022/12/reading-challenges-a-feel-your-fantasy-introduction/. Accessed 12 Oct. 2023.
Woods, Orlando. “Reading Is Fun-Da-Mental: Queering Queer “Safe” Spaces within Drag Culture.” Feminist Media Studies, 8 Apr. 2022, pp. 1–16. Taylor & Francis Online, https://doi.org/10.1080/14680777.2022.2062411.