Conforming Whiteness in Drag Culture: The Images of Black Drag Queens Constructed in The Semi Film Documentary: Paris Is Burning.
Conforming Whiteness in Drag Culture: The Images of Black Drag Queens
Constructed in The Semi Film Documentary: Paris Is Burning
THESIS
by
Irine Yolanda Sembiring
C0312038
Approved to be examined before the Board Examiners
Faculty of Cultural Sciences
SebelasMaret University
Thesis Supervisor
Dra. Sri Kusumo Habsari M.Hum, Ph.D.
NIP. 196703231995122001
Head of English Department
Drs. AgusHariWibowo M.A., Ph.D.
NIP. 196708301993021001
Conforming Whiteness in Drag Culture: The Images of Black Drag Queens
Constructed in Semi Documentary Film: Paris Is Burning
By
Irine Yolanda Sembiring
C0312038
Has been accepted and approved by the Board of Examiners
Faculty of Cultural Sciences
SebelasMaret University
On…………..
Position
Name
Signature
Chairperson
Prof. Drs. Mugijatna, M.Si, Ph,D
(
)
Secretary
Karunia Purna K, S.S, M.Si
(
)
First Examiner
Dra. Sri Kusumo Habsari, M.Hum., Ph.D
(
)
(
)
Second Examiner Dra.Susilorini, M.A
The Dean of Faculty of Cultural Sciences
SebelasMaret University
Prof. Drs. RiyadiSantosa, M.Ed., Ph.D.
NIP. 196003281986011001
ii
PRONOUNCEMENT
Name
: Irine Yolanda Sembiring
Student Number
: C0312038
The researcher states that the thesis entitled Conforming Whiteness in Drag Culture: The
Images of Black Drag Queens Constructed in Semi Documentary Film: Paris Is Burning is
neither plagiarism nor written by others. It is originally written by the researcher. All the materials
taken related to this thesis are put in direct quotations and citations. If this declaration is proven
falsehood later, the researcher willingly takes any responsible actions given by English Department
and SebelasMaret University.
Surakarta, December 25, 2016
The Researcher
Irine Sembiring
iii
MOTTO
Janganlah hendaknya kamu kuatir tentang apapun juga, tetapi nyatakanlah
dalam segala hal keinginanmu kepada Allah dalam doa dan permohanan
dengan ucapan syukur
(Filipi 4:6)
Keep Going, Everything will come to you at the perfect time.
(The good quote)
Focus your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition.
It asks too little life of yourself. Because it’s only when you hitch your wagon
to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential.
Barack Obama
All the impossible is possible for those who believe!!!
(Anonymous)
iv
DEDICATION
For my savior; Jesus Christ,
Myself,
My beloved family,
My best friends,
Good people who come to my life,
American Studies Scholars,
And those who always be enthusiastic and believe in their dreams
v
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
For this opportunity, I would like to express my gratitude to my first savior in the world; Jesus
Christ. Thanks God! Praise the lord in the highest. Thank you so much for your uncountable
blessing, Thank you for never leave me alone, Thank you for strengthening me to finish this thesis.
Thank you for giving me love and happiness when actually I am sad and afraid. Thank you for
walking with me, I am never afraid because you always lift my fear and worry. It’s been a long
journey and I will never forget your miracle that I cannot count one by one. I will never forget all
troubles, tears, joyful and smiles in the almost one year I have struggled to finish my thesis. It is
not because my ability and ingenuity but because your power, and your blessing through many
people. For me, they are miracle from heaven, so thank you so much for sending them to my life.
In the process of finishing my thesis, I have obtained a lot of generosities and helps from
respected persons, who deserve my greatest gratitude. They are:
1. Prof. Drs. Riyadi Santosa, M.A., Ph.D, the Dean of Faculty of Cultural Sciences for the
approval of this thesis
2. Drs. Agus Hari Wibowo, M.A., Ph.D, the Head of English Department in Faculty of
Cultural Sciences for allowing me to write this thesis and finally finish my study;
3. Dra. Sri Kusumo Habsari, M.Hum., Ph.D as my thesis supervisor. Miss, thank you so much
for never give up on me. For the first time I met you in the class, honestly I was afraid of
being stupid student. In our next meeting until today, I am amazed with you; you are such
genius and emphatic lecturer. It’s like I want to show you something, I want to make you
proud of me. It’s a great thing to have you as my thesis supervisor. Thank you miss, you
change me. I grew be a better person today. I will never forget the moment we discussed
about my research, and I will never the moment you shared your experiences, it made me
almost crying. I will always remember what you told to me about value that I have to
command as a scholar. Thank you for reminding me that God is fair. Thank you for
reminding me to always be a great woman. I know you are a great and sweet person, may
God always bless you and your beloved family. Please to be always healthy.
4. Prof. Drs. Mugijatna, M.Si, Ph,D as my academic supervisor for all the academic guidance
for my four and a half years studying in English Department
5. Dra.Susilorini, M.A, Muhammad Taufiq Al-Makmun, S.S., M.A, Karunia Purna K, S.S,
M.Si as my lecturers in American studies class. Thank you so much for knowledge you
give and discussion we have in the class. Thank you for always inspiring me
6. Dina Surbakti S.Pd as my most favourite person in the world. Mamak, finally I finish this
thesis. Finally your wish to visit me in Surakarta, it will be come true soon. Mamak, thank
you so much for always wake up in the middle of night, only praying for me. Don’t you
know, every time I’m afraid to meet my lecturer, I always say to myself “Don’t be afraid,
you’re accompanied by prayer”. Thank you for always believe in me, for always toughen
me. Thank you for keeping father for me. Thank you for always reminding me to pray.
Thank you for all money I have been spent. It was so hard. so does me, but you, always
have tons of love. You are my world. I love you
7. S.sembiring, Sandi sembiring, Sisco sembiring as my beloved family. Bapak, thank you
for your struggle to heal. Kak sandi and bang sisko, thank you for keeping father for me. I
will never arrive at this stage without your sacrifice. Thank you for always loving me when
I am a hard person to deal with. Thank you for praying for me, thank you for giving me a
lot of advices and thank you for always believe in me. I love you
8. Srimulyati, Asri, Bina, Chelsea, Kiki, as my best friend. Girls, thank you for all your
supports and love. Thank you for always believe in me. Especially srimulyati, mul, I
remember the time when I have to change my thesis supervisor and thesis; you are the one
who always by my side, you never let me crying by myself. Thank you for our relationship;
you’re a very good, beautiful, amusing and loyal friend, I’m so lucky to have you as my
partner in crime. Asri, Bina, Chelsea, Kiki, thank you for always be my sweet best friend
for years. I love you
9. Danar, Ujik, Halimi, Simbah, mas Ferry, mas Tri, mas Faisa, mba Isna, mba Nimas, mba
Mino, and mba Ana as my classmate in American studies class. Thank you for great times
we spent together. Especially for American studies student ’12 or MINTOL, guys you’re
an incredible and good person. Danar, thank you for giving me tissue when I was crying,
Ujik, thank you for checking my grammar, Halimi and Simbah thank you for your jokes.
Guys, thank you for all your supports, God bless our dream. I love you
10. Berry, Indra, Kendra, Riswanti, Roy, Winda, Okta, Manuel as my partner in crime at Solo.
Thank you for laughs, and good memories. Thank you for always loving this annoying girl.
Thank you for supports. Distance means nothing for us. I love you
11. Yohanes, Rut, Niko, Nora, Henisa, Putri and Rizki Sinaga. Thank you for always making
me laugh when I was so sad. Rut and Niko, both of you is my mood booster. Rut, thank
you for always accompanying me, and Niko, thank you for your video, I love it.
12. All good peoples who come to my life. Especially for Johannes Manurung. Thank you for
always beside me dear, thank you for always waking me up and praying for me. Thank you
for all your helps. I also want to thank to Oryza, Ocha, Jemmi, kk Debora, mba Nadia, Ira,
Reindra, Fadhil and others who I cannot mention here. I love you guys
13. English Department 12 and Naposo HKBP Solo as my big family in Solo. I love you.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COVER.................................................................................................................. i
APPROVAL BY THESIS SUPERVISOR ........................................................... ii
APPROVAL BY BOARD OF EXAMINERS...................................................... iii
PRONOUNCEMENT........................................................................................... iv
MOTTO ………................................................................................................... v
DEDICATION..................................................................................................... vi
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT................................................................................... vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS..................................................................................... x
ABSTRACT........................................................................................................ xii
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION ………………………………………… ...
1
A. Research Background ....................................................................
1
B. Scope of Study ...............................................................................
7
C. Research Questions........................................................................
8
D. Objectives of the Study..................................................................
8
E. Significance Study .........................................................................
8
F. Research Methods.......................................................................... 10
G. Theoretical Approach .................................................................... 13
H. Thesis Organization ......................................................................
19
CHAPTER II: LITERATURE REVIEW ...................................................... 21
A. Theory of Queer and Performativity............................................... 21
1. Queer, Drag and Drag Queen.................................................... 24
2. Posthuman Body Theory........................................................... 30
B. The House and Ball Complexities .................................................. 32
C. The Social Construction of Reality................................................. 38
D. Identity and The Post Modernism Theory ...................................... 41
E. Semiotic Theory.............................................................................. 46
F. Documentary as Construction......................................................... 49
G. Previous Researches on Drag Queen.............................................. 52
CHAPTER III: ANALYSIS ............................................................................. 57
I. The Balls as The Strategy of Empowering Black Drag Queen…….. 60
II. The White Domination in Drag Culture…………………………… 70
A.The Reflection of Beauty Standard in The Ballroom Culture..70
B.The Black Drag Queen Limitation in Ballroom ...................... 83
III. The Identity of Black Drag Queen Gay and Transgender ............. 89
CHAPTER IV: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION ................... 103
A. Conclusion ....................................................................................... 103
B. Recommendation ............................................................................. 106
BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................. 107
ABSTRACT
Irine Yolanda Sembiring. C0312038. Conforming Whiteness in Drag Cuklture : The
Images of African American Drag Queens Constructed in Semi Documentary Film :
Paris is Burning. Thesis. English Department. Faculty of Cultural Sciences.
Universitas Sebelas Maret Surakarta.2017
The objective of this research is to find the racism in a predominantly White drag
community and how the whiteness constructs the image of Black drag queen. This research
observes a documentary film entitled Paris is Burning produced in 1990 by a White
Lesbian; Jennie Livingston.
This research is a descriptive qualitative research which is conducted under the framework
of American studies limited to gender and white studies as one of areas of its study. This
research takes Paris is Burning (LGBT Film Documentary-1990) as source of data. Some
forms of its dialogues, narrations, images and mis-en-scene are taken as primary data. This
inquiry is also completed with supporting data in the form of images and information that
are taken from website and articles. This research applied interdisciplinary studies which
combine theories and approaches from other fields such as gender and performativity
theory, post human body theory, post modernism theory, semiotic theory, the social
construction of reality, and documentary theory. It also used socio-cultural approach to
understand the context of American society.
From the analysis, it is understood that White in America has deeper meaning that is not
merely a skin color. It is an ideology based on belief, behavior and habits which result the
unequal distribution of power and privilege in the most institutions in America including
drag community. As an institution, drag community itself is influenced strongly by White
construction. This makes Black drag queens cannot separate themselves from White in
consciously and unconsciously. It can be seen from the appearance and performance of
Black drag queens in which it is found that they try to imitate high class White woman and
their performance in Ballroom are limited. As privilege, White produces the process of
blurring ethnic identity through post human body. It makes their identity is plural. They
are complex and collective characteristics of both man and woman as seen through their
performativity and act and collective characteristic of Black and White as seen through
their skin color and performance.
Keywords: Black drag queen, Black Male to Female Transgender, Whiteness, Drag
culture, Image, Identity
Conforming Whiteness in Drag Culture: The Images of
Black Drag Queens Constructed in Semi Documentary Film:
Paris Is Burning
By:
IRINE YOLANDA SEMBIRING
C0312038
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF CULTURAL SCIENCES
SEBELAS MARET UNIVERSITY
2017
Constructed in The Semi Film Documentary: Paris Is Burning
THESIS
by
Irine Yolanda Sembiring
C0312038
Approved to be examined before the Board Examiners
Faculty of Cultural Sciences
SebelasMaret University
Thesis Supervisor
Dra. Sri Kusumo Habsari M.Hum, Ph.D.
NIP. 196703231995122001
Head of English Department
Drs. AgusHariWibowo M.A., Ph.D.
NIP. 196708301993021001
Conforming Whiteness in Drag Culture: The Images of Black Drag Queens
Constructed in Semi Documentary Film: Paris Is Burning
By
Irine Yolanda Sembiring
C0312038
Has been accepted and approved by the Board of Examiners
Faculty of Cultural Sciences
SebelasMaret University
On…………..
Position
Name
Signature
Chairperson
Prof. Drs. Mugijatna, M.Si, Ph,D
(
)
Secretary
Karunia Purna K, S.S, M.Si
(
)
First Examiner
Dra. Sri Kusumo Habsari, M.Hum., Ph.D
(
)
(
)
Second Examiner Dra.Susilorini, M.A
The Dean of Faculty of Cultural Sciences
SebelasMaret University
Prof. Drs. RiyadiSantosa, M.Ed., Ph.D.
NIP. 196003281986011001
ii
PRONOUNCEMENT
Name
: Irine Yolanda Sembiring
Student Number
: C0312038
The researcher states that the thesis entitled Conforming Whiteness in Drag Culture: The
Images of Black Drag Queens Constructed in Semi Documentary Film: Paris Is Burning is
neither plagiarism nor written by others. It is originally written by the researcher. All the materials
taken related to this thesis are put in direct quotations and citations. If this declaration is proven
falsehood later, the researcher willingly takes any responsible actions given by English Department
and SebelasMaret University.
Surakarta, December 25, 2016
The Researcher
Irine Sembiring
iii
MOTTO
Janganlah hendaknya kamu kuatir tentang apapun juga, tetapi nyatakanlah
dalam segala hal keinginanmu kepada Allah dalam doa dan permohanan
dengan ucapan syukur
(Filipi 4:6)
Keep Going, Everything will come to you at the perfect time.
(The good quote)
Focus your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition.
It asks too little life of yourself. Because it’s only when you hitch your wagon
to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential.
Barack Obama
All the impossible is possible for those who believe!!!
(Anonymous)
iv
DEDICATION
For my savior; Jesus Christ,
Myself,
My beloved family,
My best friends,
Good people who come to my life,
American Studies Scholars,
And those who always be enthusiastic and believe in their dreams
v
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
For this opportunity, I would like to express my gratitude to my first savior in the world; Jesus
Christ. Thanks God! Praise the lord in the highest. Thank you so much for your uncountable
blessing, Thank you for never leave me alone, Thank you for strengthening me to finish this thesis.
Thank you for giving me love and happiness when actually I am sad and afraid. Thank you for
walking with me, I am never afraid because you always lift my fear and worry. It’s been a long
journey and I will never forget your miracle that I cannot count one by one. I will never forget all
troubles, tears, joyful and smiles in the almost one year I have struggled to finish my thesis. It is
not because my ability and ingenuity but because your power, and your blessing through many
people. For me, they are miracle from heaven, so thank you so much for sending them to my life.
In the process of finishing my thesis, I have obtained a lot of generosities and helps from
respected persons, who deserve my greatest gratitude. They are:
1. Prof. Drs. Riyadi Santosa, M.A., Ph.D, the Dean of Faculty of Cultural Sciences for the
approval of this thesis
2. Drs. Agus Hari Wibowo, M.A., Ph.D, the Head of English Department in Faculty of
Cultural Sciences for allowing me to write this thesis and finally finish my study;
3. Dra. Sri Kusumo Habsari, M.Hum., Ph.D as my thesis supervisor. Miss, thank you so much
for never give up on me. For the first time I met you in the class, honestly I was afraid of
being stupid student. In our next meeting until today, I am amazed with you; you are such
genius and emphatic lecturer. It’s like I want to show you something, I want to make you
proud of me. It’s a great thing to have you as my thesis supervisor. Thank you miss, you
change me. I grew be a better person today. I will never forget the moment we discussed
about my research, and I will never the moment you shared your experiences, it made me
almost crying. I will always remember what you told to me about value that I have to
command as a scholar. Thank you for reminding me that God is fair. Thank you for
reminding me to always be a great woman. I know you are a great and sweet person, may
God always bless you and your beloved family. Please to be always healthy.
4. Prof. Drs. Mugijatna, M.Si, Ph,D as my academic supervisor for all the academic guidance
for my four and a half years studying in English Department
5. Dra.Susilorini, M.A, Muhammad Taufiq Al-Makmun, S.S., M.A, Karunia Purna K, S.S,
M.Si as my lecturers in American studies class. Thank you so much for knowledge you
give and discussion we have in the class. Thank you for always inspiring me
6. Dina Surbakti S.Pd as my most favourite person in the world. Mamak, finally I finish this
thesis. Finally your wish to visit me in Surakarta, it will be come true soon. Mamak, thank
you so much for always wake up in the middle of night, only praying for me. Don’t you
know, every time I’m afraid to meet my lecturer, I always say to myself “Don’t be afraid,
you’re accompanied by prayer”. Thank you for always believe in me, for always toughen
me. Thank you for keeping father for me. Thank you for always reminding me to pray.
Thank you for all money I have been spent. It was so hard. so does me, but you, always
have tons of love. You are my world. I love you
7. S.sembiring, Sandi sembiring, Sisco sembiring as my beloved family. Bapak, thank you
for your struggle to heal. Kak sandi and bang sisko, thank you for keeping father for me. I
will never arrive at this stage without your sacrifice. Thank you for always loving me when
I am a hard person to deal with. Thank you for praying for me, thank you for giving me a
lot of advices and thank you for always believe in me. I love you
8. Srimulyati, Asri, Bina, Chelsea, Kiki, as my best friend. Girls, thank you for all your
supports and love. Thank you for always believe in me. Especially srimulyati, mul, I
remember the time when I have to change my thesis supervisor and thesis; you are the one
who always by my side, you never let me crying by myself. Thank you for our relationship;
you’re a very good, beautiful, amusing and loyal friend, I’m so lucky to have you as my
partner in crime. Asri, Bina, Chelsea, Kiki, thank you for always be my sweet best friend
for years. I love you
9. Danar, Ujik, Halimi, Simbah, mas Ferry, mas Tri, mas Faisa, mba Isna, mba Nimas, mba
Mino, and mba Ana as my classmate in American studies class. Thank you for great times
we spent together. Especially for American studies student ’12 or MINTOL, guys you’re
an incredible and good person. Danar, thank you for giving me tissue when I was crying,
Ujik, thank you for checking my grammar, Halimi and Simbah thank you for your jokes.
Guys, thank you for all your supports, God bless our dream. I love you
10. Berry, Indra, Kendra, Riswanti, Roy, Winda, Okta, Manuel as my partner in crime at Solo.
Thank you for laughs, and good memories. Thank you for always loving this annoying girl.
Thank you for supports. Distance means nothing for us. I love you
11. Yohanes, Rut, Niko, Nora, Henisa, Putri and Rizki Sinaga. Thank you for always making
me laugh when I was so sad. Rut and Niko, both of you is my mood booster. Rut, thank
you for always accompanying me, and Niko, thank you for your video, I love it.
12. All good peoples who come to my life. Especially for Johannes Manurung. Thank you for
always beside me dear, thank you for always waking me up and praying for me. Thank you
for all your helps. I also want to thank to Oryza, Ocha, Jemmi, kk Debora, mba Nadia, Ira,
Reindra, Fadhil and others who I cannot mention here. I love you guys
13. English Department 12 and Naposo HKBP Solo as my big family in Solo. I love you.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COVER.................................................................................................................. i
APPROVAL BY THESIS SUPERVISOR ........................................................... ii
APPROVAL BY BOARD OF EXAMINERS...................................................... iii
PRONOUNCEMENT........................................................................................... iv
MOTTO ………................................................................................................... v
DEDICATION..................................................................................................... vi
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT................................................................................... vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS..................................................................................... x
ABSTRACT........................................................................................................ xii
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION ………………………………………… ...
1
A. Research Background ....................................................................
1
B. Scope of Study ...............................................................................
7
C. Research Questions........................................................................
8
D. Objectives of the Study..................................................................
8
E. Significance Study .........................................................................
8
F. Research Methods.......................................................................... 10
G. Theoretical Approach .................................................................... 13
H. Thesis Organization ......................................................................
19
CHAPTER II: LITERATURE REVIEW ...................................................... 21
A. Theory of Queer and Performativity............................................... 21
1. Queer, Drag and Drag Queen.................................................... 24
2. Posthuman Body Theory........................................................... 30
B. The House and Ball Complexities .................................................. 32
C. The Social Construction of Reality................................................. 38
D. Identity and The Post Modernism Theory ...................................... 41
E. Semiotic Theory.............................................................................. 46
F. Documentary as Construction......................................................... 49
G. Previous Researches on Drag Queen.............................................. 52
CHAPTER III: ANALYSIS ............................................................................. 57
I. The Balls as The Strategy of Empowering Black Drag Queen…….. 60
II. The White Domination in Drag Culture…………………………… 70
A.The Reflection of Beauty Standard in The Ballroom Culture..70
B.The Black Drag Queen Limitation in Ballroom ...................... 83
III. The Identity of Black Drag Queen Gay and Transgender ............. 89
CHAPTER IV: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION ................... 103
A. Conclusion ....................................................................................... 103
B. Recommendation ............................................................................. 106
BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................. 107
ABSTRACT
Irine Yolanda Sembiring. C0312038. Conforming Whiteness in Drag Cuklture : The
Images of African American Drag Queens Constructed in Semi Documentary Film :
Paris is Burning. Thesis. English Department. Faculty of Cultural Sciences.
Universitas Sebelas Maret Surakarta.2017
The objective of this research is to find the racism in a predominantly White drag
community and how the whiteness constructs the image of Black drag queen. This research
observes a documentary film entitled Paris is Burning produced in 1990 by a White
Lesbian; Jennie Livingston.
This research is a descriptive qualitative research which is conducted under the framework
of American studies limited to gender and white studies as one of areas of its study. This
research takes Paris is Burning (LGBT Film Documentary-1990) as source of data. Some
forms of its dialogues, narrations, images and mis-en-scene are taken as primary data. This
inquiry is also completed with supporting data in the form of images and information that
are taken from website and articles. This research applied interdisciplinary studies which
combine theories and approaches from other fields such as gender and performativity
theory, post human body theory, post modernism theory, semiotic theory, the social
construction of reality, and documentary theory. It also used socio-cultural approach to
understand the context of American society.
From the analysis, it is understood that White in America has deeper meaning that is not
merely a skin color. It is an ideology based on belief, behavior and habits which result the
unequal distribution of power and privilege in the most institutions in America including
drag community. As an institution, drag community itself is influenced strongly by White
construction. This makes Black drag queens cannot separate themselves from White in
consciously and unconsciously. It can be seen from the appearance and performance of
Black drag queens in which it is found that they try to imitate high class White woman and
their performance in Ballroom are limited. As privilege, White produces the process of
blurring ethnic identity through post human body. It makes their identity is plural. They
are complex and collective characteristics of both man and woman as seen through their
performativity and act and collective characteristic of Black and White as seen through
their skin color and performance.
Keywords: Black drag queen, Black Male to Female Transgender, Whiteness, Drag
culture, Image, Identity
Conforming Whiteness in Drag Culture: The Images of
Black Drag Queens Constructed in Semi Documentary Film:
Paris Is Burning
By:
IRINE YOLANDA SEMBIRING
C0312038
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF CULTURAL SCIENCES
SEBELAS MARET UNIVERSITY
2017