Twerk It:  Deconstructing Racial and Gendered Implications of Black Women's Bodies through Representations of Twerking

Baskerville, Niamba

Twerk It: Deconstructing Racial and Gendered Implications of Black Women's Bodies through Representations of Twerking

Files

Baskerville_thesis_2014.pdf(6.42 MB)

Baskerville_release_2014.pdf(122.46 KB)

Date

2014

Authors

Baskerville, Niamba

Advisor

Willie-LeBreton, Sarah

Department

Swarthmore College. Dept. of Sociology & Anthropology

Type

Thesis (B.A.)

Language

en_US

Terms of Use

Full copyright to this work is retained by the student author. It may only be used for non-commercial, research, and educational purposes. All other uses are restricted.

Abstract

This thesis argues that twerking both constrains black women as its representations reinforce myths of their hypersexuality, and enables resistance to these representations by allowing black women a forum for expression and the ability to reclaim their bodies. Chapter one provides a brief history of the representation of black women's bodies in the U.S. This literature review outlines the hypersexual stereotype that has existed and still exists in black women's representation, while underscoring the relationships between black women's bodies, racial and gender hierarchy, media, and the construction of black female identity in the United States. These theories establish a framework from which to examine the twerking phenomenon. Chapter two defines twerking, its origins, and the implications of its current representations for its black female performers. Chapter three analyzes intentions of and reactions to Miley Cyrus' controversial 2013 Video Music Awards performance in order to assess how and why it had the effect of cultural appropriation for so many viewers. While these first three chapters emphasize the constraints that representations of twerking can impose on black women, chapter four explores the enabling potential that twerking can have for its performers.