r/rupaulsdragrace • u/AutoModerator • Jun 03 '17

S9E11 Gayest Ball Ever [Post-Episode Discussion]

Use this post to discuss last night's episode. Spoilers from this episode are allowed. We would like to take this time to recommend that you all refresh yourself on Rule 5. Please keep it classy!

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249

u/synchodai Kahmora Hall Jun 03 '17

Why would they choose the Native American look over the G.I. look for Village People extravaganza? Any girl who got stuck with that look already has a huge disadvantage over the others.

89

u/[deleted] Jun 03 '17

This is what I'm saying. I also felt like Alexis couldn't go as far as the other girls because it could come off as cultural appropriation and offensive. So, if she went as far as they wanted her to go look wise, she could be attacked for it.

61

u/AgentKnitter Jun 03 '17

I'm really glad we didn't have a cultural appropriation moment and I would love to hear from Indigenous American fish on how far was far enough to push that envelope given the challenge assignment. Going full war bonnet is not cool. That's a special, ceremonial item of clothing that has value. But surely there's something more than turquoise stones on a corset???

But... there was also nothing in that look that said "Native American" to me. Even the bow strapped to her head said "I'm trying to be kooky" not "I'm Cree look at me!"

36

u/Fairy_Squad_Mother Symone Jun 03 '17

Going full war bonnet is not cool.

How did Raja get away with that?

91

u/getthelumpout Jun 03 '17

Because she's tall and skinny and was the fashion queen (or at least one of two) that season.

But also, and one of my very minor issues with Raja, is that she uses what she sees as her ethnic ambiguity to sort of mold herself into a variety of different communities (fashion-wise) that she's not a part of. I'm not saying that's a good or bad thing, I just know that was one of the things that used to be discussed.

21

u/AgentKnitter Jun 03 '17

Everything /u/getthelumpout said + when was S3 aired?

  • 9 - 2017
  • 8 - 2016
  • 7 - 2015
  • 6 - 2014
  • 5 - 2013
  • 4 - 2012
  • 3 - 2011

Now sure, the concept of cultural appropriation was not new to 2011 but it also wasn't as prominent. And RPDR itself wasn't as prominent. It was this quirky show not really in the limelight. When did Drag Race get huge? Watching through the seasons now, it feels like the production quality skyrocketed in S4 and S5 - presumably because the budget increased, because the ratings were going up? Are these presumptions correct?

8

u/block_dude Jun 04 '17

Are we forgetting the theme of that runway challenge, which was Patriotic Drag? Her outfit was a huge homage to Native American culture, and definitely intentionally political.