Viewing Response 13: Style I
In both âGender is Burning: Questions of Appropriation and Subversionâ by Judith Butler and ââSheâs Gotta Have Itâ: The Representation of Black Female Sexuality on Filmâ by Felly Nkweto Simmonds, some of the most controversial issues in Hollywood are addressed. Gender, race, and sexuality. The idea behind these essay is that performance and âgenderizationâ of characters is derived from basic stereotypes. Regarding race the idea is broached of how the black woman is seen as a âbreederâ in most films. This stereotype used in film plagued Hollywood and held back the progression of great black, female actors. This also limits the exploration of black and black female sexuality within texts. Limiting sexuality as a whole to only one smaller portion of the population.
Pariah (2011) actually proves itself to be a tremendous counter example to the articles presented. The film dives head first into all the issues of gender, race, and sexuality. The film shines a slight on the different subsets within these different groups. Alike knows she is lesbian, but struggles to find herself enjoying the âtradition blackâ lesbian life that her friend Laura thrives in. On top of that Alike feels out of place with her traditional, religious mother who does not accept Alike for who she is. No matter which subset is taken, Laura feels as though she doesnât belong. As a lesbian she feels like she does not want to go clubbing and act more âmasculineâ like her best friend. As an African American she feels neglected by her mother, and as a woman she feels entrapped by the fashion and norms of her gender.