FEM QUEEN
So this is Ms. Boogie. I didn't know of her until last week, when she popped in my suggestions. I find her fascinating. And political, too. What's not to love about that? Even if you don't like rap/hip-hop (and it's not everybody's cup of tea, TBH) words do have weight. Eva Reign put it much better:
A counterbalance to a media ecosystem oversaturated with violence against our community, Ms. Boogie revels in the moments of euphoria she lives out every day, along with those of her girls. This is #FemQueenJoy, a bolt of transfeminine splendor piercing through the violent haze clouding the public’s understanding of our experiences.
We keep forgetting the experiences of trans women. We don't even think about the experiences of Black trans women. For Bi and Gay Cis men the experience of the Trans Woman (let alone a Trans Woman of Color) is something removed from our daily lives. With all the fuckery going on in the US, we need to keep the fire on the bigots. And the racists. And what better way to do that than support a Black Trans Rapper? Honey!
Full disclaimer: I like hip-hop. And I like Rap, to a lesser extent. I find the wordplay and the creativity interesting. The way they phrase, they way the alliterations, synedcoques and metaphors pop. The use of slang. The AAV. The musicality (but you'll have to remember I'm just a recipient of the Upton Endowment for the Arts, natch) and the use of sampling always put me in awe. And when an artist like Ms. Boogie pops up, I pay attention. Her music makes me wanna shake my booty.
Remember the #BLM and #BlackTransLivesMatter should be remembered after they stop trending. Just because it's not the word du jour we should not forget that. There's been around 11 Trans Women already killed this year. And it's just April. When they speak (or rap!) please listen to them.
XOXO
It is a travesty that the murder of these women does not get more notice. Their lives, tragically cut short, should be remembered. Their lives do matter and it’s time the world takes notice of what is happening. Eleven of our LGBTQ+ sisters’ lives lost is eleven too many.
ReplyDeleteXOXO 👨❤️💋👨
It just flies under the radar.
DeleteTrans people keep being the target of violence over and over and over. And the community does not seem to be able to react.
XOXO
love your wisdom!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Xersex!
DeleteIt's just that sometimes I get sooo fed up!
XOXO
but you're so nice and wise!
DeleteHahahaha
Delete*smooches!*
XOXO
There's still a great deal of "us" and "them"-ing going on in this country, and until we understand that all people are HUMAN first, and that we all matter, this murdering of trans women of color will not be news anywhere except our own community.
ReplyDeleteOh, absolutely.
DeleteWe don't seem to work as a group of humans. There's always somebody trying to 'other' some other group to advance their agenda.
XOXO
The change is going to be very difficult.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely.
DeleteEspecially because some groups feed off the fear they provoke in the feeble minded. They'll always find somebody to 'other'. In the LGBTQ rainbow the T keeps being an easy target.
XOXO
I do think about what it means to be a black trans woman. Every time I read about one being killed and the media and the po-po say nothing. Just think about that. That silence? If you were a black trans woman and that is the reaction the violent death of one of your own what does that do to your self esteem? Your sense of self? The picture you hold in your head? The way you conduct yourself and navigate your world? Too be deemed unessential or less than human by someone carrying a gun, who is supposed to be protecting your community... that is a hard pill to swallow. To have little or no representation in the media... one feels erased. Their road in life is hard enough. Redefining your gender in an indifferent world is tough enough. Now add to that the fact that you're female. Now add to that the color of your skin. That's a lot of indifference to overcome. A lot to overcome. So let's all give these ladies a leg up. We may not listen to the sort of music this artist is creating, it may not be our typical cup of tea. But think of the tiny difference a few of your dollars would make in their lives. It's a vote, of sorts. A vote for a better tomorrow - for them, and us. Support should not be predicated on appreciation or personal taste. Support should just be a given - we are all human. So... where I gotta go to buy me some tunes?
ReplyDeleteSame.
DeleteI always think about their lives and their deaths. As if the burden to have to explain your existence to the world every day were not enough? Is the constant threat of being mistreated not enough?
And thank you, Upton. Putting our money where our mouths are is the way to go.
XOXO
Quite frankly, I've always found that many, if not most, men (gay, straight, in-between, cis or otherwise) are only really interested in the male experience and have very little real interest in knowing about the lives of women of ANY description. Their self-centredness is just another aspect of men's dominant position.
ReplyDeleteThe is very true!
DeleteYou hit the nail on the head Debs!!!!! Even when I did drag, there were gay men who didn't like it. I often got asked if I was going to transition eventually. REALLY? People are idiots. But what if I would have? And the self centeredness is getting really bad. Oh....there another post here.....
DeleteI have nothing to add.
DeleteThe Patriarchy of it all!
XOXO
I thought Jazz ("I Am Jazz") would change some of that attitude. I thought wrong. The fact that the media doesn't cover the death of a trans woman? Rachel doesn't. Don Lemon doesn't. Does the Black community raise a stink? No. Does Rev Al show up to eulogize? No. Until their own community (and that includes LGBTQ+) begins to raise a stink, it'll be just another LGBTQ+ death. The worst part: It's a hate crime that isn't talked about. XOXO
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm sure it did, Big.
DeleteVisibility. Representation. Those are things that are needed, and now more than ever. The never ending cycle of violence against Trans people is frightening. That's why we have to keep talking about it.
XOXO
And....as my Faithful Reader, Jean, says: This is why we must VOTE.
DeleteXOXO
Yes!
DeleteVoting: it has consequences when we don't.
XOXO
I live in a different world than most who read here. We have just opened a bar/lounge for trans and those who are attracted to trans people on The Drive. It is very new and I hope it goes well. But, since trans m-f become women, a lot want straight men for dating and frequent straight bars which often leads to trouble. (this is from what I've seen, and from being told by the trans woman who helped me around the house while transitioning a couple of years ago.) Work is available (maybe not easier) , I see trans women of all colors working in places like Ulta, or at a Mac counter in a store. The transitioning woman who helped me is now a manager of a hurricane shutter business (yay).
ReplyDeleteAnd THAT'S the way it should be. Trans people are just people.
DeleteThey have the same rights and obligations as any other person living in our society. But you know that there'll always be people who will target them because they're afraid of what they don't know.
Visibility. Representation. That's what Trans people need.
XOXO
She is gorgeous!!!!! But much like the LGBT community, until the black community starts supporting and accepting and causing violence against it's trans women, and being one community, much like the LGBT , no one is going to take them serious and change their views. Like out community ....they are not one. Instead of making things better, it only seems to be getting worst.
ReplyDeleteSadly the trans community as a very long scary road ahead of them, and shame on the LGBTQ who should help and unconditionally accept and help them...since their our community. But they can't even rely on that these days.
She is!
DeleteAnd you are right. BIPOC Trans people get shunned by their own communities. Then society at large pounces in. I think the LGBTQ community can also do more to be inclusive. Much, much more. After all, that T is part of the LGBTQ umbrella...
XOXO
She has a grand “ booty “ lol
ReplyDeleteHaha
DeleteYes, she does!
XOXO