Monday, January 14, 2008
The exploitation of race
There was some discussion as to whether or not celebrities exploit their race in order to achieve success? recognition? respect?. In any case, while thinking about this, I immediately thought of the Chonga girls. If you don't know who they are, check out this YouTube video:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=uVHdqmN7-XE
These two latina teenagers from Miami made up a ditty called "Chongalicious" to the tune of "Fergalicious" to describe the mode of dress and way of acting of some young latin women. Some memorable lines include, "they're always starin' at my booty and my panty line--Chongalicious!". These young women are becoming quasi-celebrities: they have over two million hits on YouTube and were invited to head a parade in Miami this December. What's very interested is that this is undeniably the identification and exploitation of stereotypical aspects of a culture. We also see this in movies such as My Big Fat Greek Wedding, where many viewers identified with the culture, which is what made it memorable.
Is this bad? As the previous poster mentioned, more mixed-race and "ethnic" celebrities are not a coincidence. America (and Canada, of course) have changed a lot since the days when Desi Arnaz on I Love Lucy was all we got. These people are identifying the stereotypes and using them, but in a way I believe is ultimately empowering to them.
Whether the "Chonga Girls" will actually succeed and rise to fame is another question. If the Big Fat Greek Wedding TV series is any indication, you can't keep mining in the same place for long!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=uVHdqmN7-XE
These two latina teenagers from Miami made up a ditty called "Chongalicious" to the tune of "Fergalicious" to describe the mode of dress and way of acting of some young latin women. Some memorable lines include, "they're always starin' at my booty and my panty line--Chongalicious!". These young women are becoming quasi-celebrities: they have over two million hits on YouTube and were invited to head a parade in Miami this December. What's very interested is that this is undeniably the identification and exploitation of stereotypical aspects of a culture. We also see this in movies such as My Big Fat Greek Wedding, where many viewers identified with the culture, which is what made it memorable.
Is this bad? As the previous poster mentioned, more mixed-race and "ethnic" celebrities are not a coincidence. America (and Canada, of course) have changed a lot since the days when Desi Arnaz on I Love Lucy was all we got. These people are identifying the stereotypes and using them, but in a way I believe is ultimately empowering to them.
Whether the "Chonga Girls" will actually succeed and rise to fame is another question. If the Big Fat Greek Wedding TV series is any indication, you can't keep mining in the same place for long!
# posted by Sarah @ 7:32 PM 
