The Category Is: Commodifications Uprooting of Ballroom Culture

Introduction

• AIDS Crisis in NYC (1980s): Severely impacted LGBTQ community.
• Queer and Trans Rejection: Many were rejected by families, creating need for community.
• Ballroom Scene Emerges: Safe space for expression, particularly for queer people of color.

Ballroom Culture

• Subculture Definition: A group with beliefs/ interests differing from the larger culture.
• Ballroom as a Subculture: Provided acceptance and free expression, creating strong community bonds.
• Expression and Competition: Balls were central, featuring competition in dress, dance, and modeling.
• Community Dynamics: Led by "house mothers" like Pepper LaBeija, providing family-like support.

Paris is Burning Documentary

• Director: Jennie Livingston.
• Content: Interviews and footage from NYC ballroom scene in the 1980s.
• Insights: Highlighted community, competitions, and personal stories.

Transition and Commodification

• Madonna's Influence: Brought voguing to mainstream.
• RuPaul's Impact:
  • Emerged in 80s NYC club scene.
  • RuPaul’s Drag Race (2009): Reality show bringing drag to mainstream audiences.
  • Introduced elements from ballroom scene but commodified them for TV.

Commodification Examples

• Reality TV Influence: Introduction of sponsors (e.g., Absolut Vodka) represents commodification.
• Cultural References:
  • Uses phrases/events from ballroom culture without sufficient acknowledgment.
  • Reading and voguing are commodified.
• Merchandising: Phrases and imagery from ballroom culture used in merchandise.

Cultural Shifts

• Rave to EDM: Shows similar commodification as ballroom to modern drag.
• Emo Culture: Similarly affected by commodification.

Conclusion

• Mainstream Influence: Drag culture now differs significantly from its ballroom roots.
• Lack of Recognition: Modern-day drag, as popularized by RuPaul’s Drag Race, does not fully credit ballroom origins, especially contributions of trans women.

Appendix & References

• Paris is Burning (1990): Documentary on NYC ballroom scene.
• RuPaul’s Drag Race (2009-present): TV show on drag culture.
• Academic References: Mentioned works on youth subcultures and EDM culture.

The note highlights the evolution and transformation of ballroom culture into modern drag culture through the lens of commodification, underscoring the impact of mainstream media like RuPaul’s Drag Race.