When does drag go too far?
NEVER!
Just kidding. But really! This is an ever present conversation that circles around the drag fandom constantly, usually when someone posts something we *gasp* at. Did you just SEE what so-and-so did?! I'm going to give my honest opinion on what is considered "too far" when it comes to drag- so keep reading (and let me know in the comments what you think!)
First of all. What does Offensive mean? The dictionary definition is this: "causing someone to feel deeply hurt, upset, or angry". In modern terms, what do the kids call it these days? TRIGGERED.
We have to ask ourselves, why is this offensive? I am a special education teacher, so disability jokes are NOT funny to me. I was in a mass shooting, so jokes surrounding gun control laws are NOT funny to me. We are offended because it pulls at something inside us thats personal. Then we have to ask ourselves, what does the world think is offensive? Should I be offended because others are offended? If I think this is funny...but others do not, what kind of person does that make me?
When we hear about Bianca telling a rape joke, or Sharon wearing a swastika, or queens lip-synching the N word, or RuPaul wearing the confederate flag, are those things that offend US? Are they things we are pretty sure are culturally inappropriate and offensive? Fat jokes, sexual abuse jokes, eating disorder jokes, addiction jokes, death and dying jokes, disability jokes, memes and pictures, videos and lip syncs, all about politics and current events or even other queens, other celebrities, or other people? What is SO offensive about all of these things? Why is it SO controversial? Where do we draw the line, between funny ha-ha and oooooo that was in poor taste?
I always tell people, there are three things that you JUST don't joke about. Three things that no one is going to find funny. Three things that no matter what you're doing, people aren't going to be on your side; they're going to be against you. They're going to be tweeting about how terrible you are. You're going to lose followers. You're going to lose gigs. You're going to disappear into the drag void and no one is going to remember you. (Just kidding).
One. Disability. EVERYONE knows someone with a disability. They might have a disability themselves. Honestly unless you're Zach Anner and you're delightfully describing what cerebral palsey is, NO ONE wants to hear them. They're never going to be funny. I realize I'm biased because of my job, but when was the last time you heard a tastefully done Down syndrome joke. It just doesn't exist.
Two. Rape. There is no where for you to go with this joke. It's not funny. If you go down the route of what he/she was wearing...doing...drinking, you're going to get slaughtered with negativity. Rape has never been funny. And yes I know Bianca has done this before. Did you laugh? (if you did, did you feel like a really shitty person afterwards?)
Three. Military/Armed Forces. I'm not talking about war, or the military in regards to what it is & what it does. That can be funny. Politics are funny. We need more humor in politics. I mean, have you SEEN the world? But i'm talking about the men and women who give their lives to protect our freedoms. Politics aside, beliefs aside, it's never going to be funny to blast a service man/woman for trying to keep our country free (I'm talking about YOU Pete Davidson).
So there you have it. My three NO-NO's when it comes to things you just DON'T make fun of. Now, I have specific incidents that come to mind when it comes to drag. I'm sure you do too. That one time...that one queen...did or said that one thing...and MAN I was offended. The truth is, there isn't a universal guide to what is offensive and what isn't. It's going to vary by person, by country, by age, buy culture. The three I listed above are things that I personally don't find funny. I also think you shouldn't find them funny. They aren't funny. But I'm not here to change your mind. *WINK*.
When it comes to drag one must understand that it has always been there to push the boundaries. Long before a little show called RuPauls drag race ever existed, drag queens were performing on stage all around the world. Long before I was even born, drag queens existed. Hell, Stonewall was in 1969. Long before even that, drag existed (I will be doing a history of drag post later on, so look out for that!) My point is, drag has existed to push the boundaries spanning across hundreds of years. It has spanned harsh political climates, recessions and wars. What is the natural thing to do when someone is pushing in on you? You push back. The LGBT community has always been met with resistance, and drag has always been a way to push back. To create a vibrant, beautiful community of love, acceptance, and even humor. Drag is MEANT to push boundaries. Not just for fun, or for the hell of it. It's a queens livelihood. It's a queens way of fighting back. It's expression, it's art, it's comedy, it's life.
So when does drag go too far? The jury is still out. There may never be a set answer. We have to come to terms with why we are offended. I'm offended at certain things. There are things I will never find funny, ever. But this is my life written out in my blog. My experiences are different than yours. What I find offensive might not bother you one bit, but what you find offensive, I might not even have thought of. The point is, drag is culturally embedded into the DNA of wherever you live. It's never going to disappear. If you live in a huge city like NYC, or a tiny town with a big city hours away, there is drag near. Now a days social media is so prevalent, everything you do and say will be picked apart, good or bad. Remember when Aja's skin was mocked mercilessly after her season aired? Remember how certian queens old videos are resurfacing of them lip-synching the N word to a rap song? Remember how Sharon's confederate flag outfit is constantly flagged and taken down on instagram but Rupaul's is never reported? These conversations about being offended are happening because we ourselves are either offended, or we think the situation is offensive. No one is ever going to be right or wrong. We could debate that ALL DAY.
The real question is not if/when drag goes too far. There isn't a line that it ever crosses, because its all relative. But like anything difficult and uncomfortable, the absolute best thing to do is open up positive dialogue with others about it and have conversations about it. Because I love drag, and chances are if you've read this far, YOU love drag. And we're all here to enjoy it, even if it occasionally pushes some uncomfortable buttons. Or in Biancas case, pushing your uncomfortable button 100% of the time or she's not doing her job.
Until next time,
-Notanotherdragaccount
Just kidding. But really! This is an ever present conversation that circles around the drag fandom constantly, usually when someone posts something we *gasp* at. Did you just SEE what so-and-so did?! I'm going to give my honest opinion on what is considered "too far" when it comes to drag- so keep reading (and let me know in the comments what you think!)
First of all. What does Offensive mean? The dictionary definition is this: "causing someone to feel deeply hurt, upset, or angry". In modern terms, what do the kids call it these days? TRIGGERED.
We have to ask ourselves, why is this offensive? I am a special education teacher, so disability jokes are NOT funny to me. I was in a mass shooting, so jokes surrounding gun control laws are NOT funny to me. We are offended because it pulls at something inside us thats personal. Then we have to ask ourselves, what does the world think is offensive? Should I be offended because others are offended? If I think this is funny...but others do not, what kind of person does that make me?
When we hear about Bianca telling a rape joke, or Sharon wearing a swastika, or queens lip-synching the N word, or RuPaul wearing the confederate flag, are those things that offend US? Are they things we are pretty sure are culturally inappropriate and offensive? Fat jokes, sexual abuse jokes, eating disorder jokes, addiction jokes, death and dying jokes, disability jokes, memes and pictures, videos and lip syncs, all about politics and current events or even other queens, other celebrities, or other people? What is SO offensive about all of these things? Why is it SO controversial? Where do we draw the line, between funny ha-ha and oooooo that was in poor taste?
I always tell people, there are three things that you JUST don't joke about. Three things that no one is going to find funny. Three things that no matter what you're doing, people aren't going to be on your side; they're going to be against you. They're going to be tweeting about how terrible you are. You're going to lose followers. You're going to lose gigs. You're going to disappear into the drag void and no one is going to remember you. (Just kidding).
One. Disability. EVERYONE knows someone with a disability. They might have a disability themselves. Honestly unless you're Zach Anner and you're delightfully describing what cerebral palsey is, NO ONE wants to hear them. They're never going to be funny. I realize I'm biased because of my job, but when was the last time you heard a tastefully done Down syndrome joke. It just doesn't exist.
Two. Rape. There is no where for you to go with this joke. It's not funny. If you go down the route of what he/she was wearing...doing...drinking, you're going to get slaughtered with negativity. Rape has never been funny. And yes I know Bianca has done this before. Did you laugh? (if you did, did you feel like a really shitty person afterwards?)
Three. Military/Armed Forces. I'm not talking about war, or the military in regards to what it is & what it does. That can be funny. Politics are funny. We need more humor in politics. I mean, have you SEEN the world? But i'm talking about the men and women who give their lives to protect our freedoms. Politics aside, beliefs aside, it's never going to be funny to blast a service man/woman for trying to keep our country free (I'm talking about YOU Pete Davidson).
So there you have it. My three NO-NO's when it comes to things you just DON'T make fun of. Now, I have specific incidents that come to mind when it comes to drag. I'm sure you do too. That one time...that one queen...did or said that one thing...and MAN I was offended. The truth is, there isn't a universal guide to what is offensive and what isn't. It's going to vary by person, by country, by age, buy culture. The three I listed above are things that I personally don't find funny. I also think you shouldn't find them funny. They aren't funny. But I'm not here to change your mind. *WINK*.
When it comes to drag one must understand that it has always been there to push the boundaries. Long before a little show called RuPauls drag race ever existed, drag queens were performing on stage all around the world. Long before I was even born, drag queens existed. Hell, Stonewall was in 1969. Long before even that, drag existed (I will be doing a history of drag post later on, so look out for that!) My point is, drag has existed to push the boundaries spanning across hundreds of years. It has spanned harsh political climates, recessions and wars. What is the natural thing to do when someone is pushing in on you? You push back. The LGBT community has always been met with resistance, and drag has always been a way to push back. To create a vibrant, beautiful community of love, acceptance, and even humor. Drag is MEANT to push boundaries. Not just for fun, or for the hell of it. It's a queens livelihood. It's a queens way of fighting back. It's expression, it's art, it's comedy, it's life.
So when does drag go too far? The jury is still out. There may never be a set answer. We have to come to terms with why we are offended. I'm offended at certain things. There are things I will never find funny, ever. But this is my life written out in my blog. My experiences are different than yours. What I find offensive might not bother you one bit, but what you find offensive, I might not even have thought of. The point is, drag is culturally embedded into the DNA of wherever you live. It's never going to disappear. If you live in a huge city like NYC, or a tiny town with a big city hours away, there is drag near. Now a days social media is so prevalent, everything you do and say will be picked apart, good or bad. Remember when Aja's skin was mocked mercilessly after her season aired? Remember how certian queens old videos are resurfacing of them lip-synching the N word to a rap song? Remember how Sharon's confederate flag outfit is constantly flagged and taken down on instagram but Rupaul's is never reported? These conversations about being offended are happening because we ourselves are either offended, or we think the situation is offensive. No one is ever going to be right or wrong. We could debate that ALL DAY.
The real question is not if/when drag goes too far. There isn't a line that it ever crosses, because its all relative. But like anything difficult and uncomfortable, the absolute best thing to do is open up positive dialogue with others about it and have conversations about it. Because I love drag, and chances are if you've read this far, YOU love drag. And we're all here to enjoy it, even if it occasionally pushes some uncomfortable buttons. Or in Biancas case, pushing your uncomfortable button 100% of the time or she's not doing her job.
Until next time,
-Notanotherdragaccount
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