Blaxploitation Redux : The mainstreaming of the colored ho brought to you by Kimora Lee, Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez
One of the things that strike about these three women is how they've laughed their way to the bank selling themselves as empowered yet arm-candy women.
They play the perfect game of well-kept women whenever alongside their men. In their videos or ad campaigns, they work the high end prostitute look.
And no, I don't think Madonna (as in Ciccone) has anything to do with it. Madonna successfully turned men all around her into accessories to match her latest look. With these three women though, their mates were integral to their image making.
Even though Kimora and Beyonce have been in long relationships (with Russell Simmons and Jay Z respectively); J Lo's image really took off after being with Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs. You could say she was his Pygmalion. With Ben Affleck her look reached the height of excess (with the furs and the jewels) to fall into the more respectable yet still sexy look she's sporting these days with Mark Anthony.
What's most confusing is how they are completely unapologetic about it. It's as if they're saying, yeah, so what? We get the roles of black bimbo, the whore with a heart of gold, the cynical man-eater and we're just going to run with it and make money with it because that's how you know you're successful.
And people buy up the shit at $190 a pair of jeans.
Makes me really wonder : What is it with our culture that we think success and empowerment looks like a new iteration of the old corner ho show?
Bookmark/Search this post with:
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
Black History Month | Blaxploitation | Business | Celebrity | Culture | Design | Fashion | Hip Hop | Marketing | Music | Popular Culture | Ben Affleck | Beyonce | Jennifer Lopez | Kimora Lee | Mark Anthony | Russell Simmons | Sean Combs
» email this story | printer friendly version | 2247 reads
thanks
Submitted by liza on 1 March 2006 - 2:06am.
But, I'm really conflicted about this. On the one hand, they are incredibly successsful and I as a blatina feel a certain kind of a pride about it. On the other hand, the excess they insist in peddling, is just ... mind-boggling.
» email this comment | 0 points
blaxploitation and crumbling capitolism
I think it's good that you are able to see where these three women are selling themselves short. I can guarantee you they struggle with it.
I think it's up to us to go a different way and offer a hand to our sisters who are confused. Your entry does that. These women are up against a non-choice. None of their so-called choices are really ideal. At this time in history, we are up against a wall as capitolism crumbles.
The best thing to do is give it a little push. Meanwhile, I think that although these gals have brilliantly fought for themselves and the lives they want ... I think they are hoping someone would notice where they dishonor themselves and other women/black women and say something, say hey. In that regard you have done well.