Posts Tagged twerking

By Sesali B. • 10 years ago

About that dad’s social media discipline: Sometimes it ain’t that deep

This week, ever vigilant “Feminist Twitter” has been abuzz about a black father in Louisville, Kentucky who posted these photos (and caption) of his daughter after he found out that she had broken several of his house rules. The critique and skepticism of this man’s form of discipline have ranged from claiming it was unnecessary and counterproductive in the face of the “real” issues that this girl must have, to calling it slut-shaming and emotionally abusive. The general sentiment seems to be that posting pictures of his daughter online invokes a disciplinary tradition of humiliation that can only be harmful. How I do I feel about it? Well, my personal opinion is that: it ain’t that deep.

This week, ever vigilant “Feminist Twitter” has been abuzz about a black father in Louisville, Kentucky who posted these photos (and caption) of his daughter after he found out that she had broken several of ...
By Sesali B. • 10 years ago

Counterpoint: I don’t think Taylor Swift’s new video is racist

Last week, our very own Chloe Angyal took Taylor Swift to task over her new video, which features women of color twerking. She argues that these Black and brown twerkers are used as props in the video to highlight Taylor’s whiteness. She explains:

“There’s lots I could say about this video, but I want to compare two dance sequences, and focus on them, because I think they’re really telling. The first is the ballet sequence, with the dozen ballerinas, all of whom appear to be white, in Swan Lake style tutus and headdresses. The second is the hip hop and twerking sequence, with the half dozen Black and brown dancers in ...

Last week, our very own Chloe Angyal took Taylor Swift to task over her new video, which features women of color twerking. She argues that these Black and brown twerkers ...
By Sesali B. • 10 years ago

Let them live: Josephine Baker, Maya Angelou, and Rihanna as erotic and holistic

Last week when I wrote about women telling their boyfriends to “check their bitches” my ending bio included an exasperated “Maya Angelou didn’t die for this shit.” And I meant it. When it comes to black women, the “shit” I’m referring to  goes beyond the defense mechanisms of scorned lovers on Love & Hip Hop. The “shit” is the continually devaluing of black women and the rejection of their sexuality and bodily autonomy. She didn’t die for us to uphold false dichotomies about the character and worth of black women.

When Rihanna shut the CFDA Awards down in her dazzling sheer gown by designer Adam Shelman, I was expecting some thot shaming. We all know how everyone ...

Last week when I wrote about women telling their boyfriends to “check their bitches” my ending bio included an exasperated “Maya Angelou didn’t die for this shit.” And I meant it. When it comes to ...
By Sesali B. • 10 years ago

“Twerk It Girl” examines twerking for autonomy and resistance

Twerk It Girl from Irma L. Garcia on Vimeo.

Everything I’ve ever wanted to say in defense of twerking has been compiled into a 5-minute documentary entitled Twerk It Girl by self-proclaimed “twerk scholar” at the University of Texas Kimari Brand. Utilizing multiple experiences — including a course on performance, feminism and social justice, a trip abroad to study Afro-Caribbean culture and politics, and her experiences as a Black girl at an institution of higher education that prioritizes white supremacist “credibility and status” — Brand has reframed the dialogue about twerking.

Twerk It Girl from Irma L. Garcia on Vimeo.

Everything I’ve ever wanted to say in defense of twerking has been compiled into a 5-minute documentary entitled Twerk It Girl by self-proclaimed “twerk scholar” at ...
By Courtney Baxter • 11 years ago

Weekly Feminist Reader

Celebrating Labor Day: weekends, holidays, raises, healthcare.

Happy taxes, queer folks! The IRS recognizes same-sex marriages.

Ann on dating, or not dating, coworkers.

A pursuit to dissect waxing culture.

Implications of doctors getting paid more for C-Sections.

Something is happening in Chicago.

Chelsea Manning and the politics of pronouns.

“Looking through a kaleidoscope of a local lens“.

On Obama and Syria: “The way out of war is always peace.”

Victory for homeless vets in L.A.

Fast food workers continue to strike.

“Drive-in sex” in Zurich.

What do twerking and Hurricane Katrina have to do with each other?

Interracial Romeo and Juliet.

Vintage sex-ed, brought to you by… Disney?

First rapist in Delhi gang-rape gets convicted to 3 years in ...

Celebrating Labor Day: weekends, holidays, raises, healthcare.

Happy taxes, queer folks! The IRS recognizes same-sex marriages.

Ann on dating, or not dating, coworkers.

A pursuit to dissect waxing culture.

Implications of doctors getting paid more for ...
By Sesali B. • 11 years ago

Let’s get ratchet! Check your privilege at the door

A few days ago I had the, ahem, pleasure? of seeing the video of Miley Cyrus twerking. I was a little put off by it but couldn’t immediately identify why. There was the obvious discomfort at the fact that she wasn’t really good at twerking in the first place, but there was something else that I just couldn’t get jiggy with. Then I saw her post this picture and it clicked…

Via @mileycyrus on Twitter

Her skin and class privilege overfloweth in this poorly executed commodification of  twerking and subsequently “ratchet culture.” In an interview following the twerk video Miley said:

“You can’t really explain [twerking]… It’s something that comes naturally. It’s a lot of booty action… I haven’t really ...

A few days ago I had the, ahem, pleasure? of seeing the video of Miley Cyrus twerking. I was a little put off by it but couldn’t immediately identify why. There was the obvious discomfort ...