Is Twerking Modern Day Jes-Grew?!

When we are first introduced to the Jew Grew epidemic in the novel "Mumbo Jumbo" by Ishmael Reed, it is described as people doing "sensual things," "wriggling like a fish, doing something called the Eagle Rock" and the "Sassy Bump" in a state of "uncontrollable frenzy." The Mayor's reaction to Jes Grew immediately reminded me of one thing- and that is Miley Cyrus at the 2013 Video Music Awards. During her performance, Cyrus sings her popular song "We Can't Stop" along with all African-American singers and dancers depicted twerking on stage. For those of you who do not know what twerking is, it can essentially be described as shaking your butt relatively fast in an up and down, side to side, or cicular motion. However according to Urban Dictionary, it is also known as "whatever the hell Miley Cyrus' does." Not only is Cyrus seen objectifying these women's bodies such as by slapping their behinds, but in addition she culturally appropriates a traditionally black dance form, "twerking," dating back to hundreds of years ago in West Africa. One particular dance form twerking has been traced to, is a dance called mapouka from Cote d'Ivoire. Similar to twerking, it is known as"la dance du fessier" or "the dance of the behind," traditionally being used for ceremonial purposes. However eventually a more provocative version of the dance became popular among the  Ivoirian youth culture, and while the Ivoirian government attempted to ban the new dance form, it had already began to spread. Like Cyrus's performance, we see Reed highlight the issues of white culture appropriating aspects of African culture in attempt to feel "trendy" and "rebellious" in many ways such as through dance and song. So while Miley claims she "Can't Stop" twerking, I think Reed and a many others would agree it would be best is she did.

Link to Cyrus's Performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEBwvwhc4lM
Link to Mapouka Dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Zw7PCVGYr4&feature=youtu.be
Source Used: http://mentalfloss.com/article/51365/what-origin-twerking

Re-Invention of Self

One argument we recently brought up in our class discussion on themes throughout Doctorow's Ragtime, is the idea of reinventing one's self. I found this topic really interesting because in the very end of the novel, we see so many of the characters overcome some sort of drastic change as opposed to how Doctorow portrays them in the beginning.

One major turing point where we see a significant change in many of the character's, is the aftermath of when Coalhouse seeks revenge on the fireman volunteers and sets fire to the firehouse. While some may argue Coalhouse's character completely changes from this incident, I feel it only supports how much Coalhouse remains the same. Before the incident, we see Coalhouse come across as very respectable in his appearance, well put together in his presentation, and persistant in the way he courts Sarah. Yet after he carries out his revenge plot, he still comes across in a very put together manner. He still dresses very respectable and has his followers appear the same. In addition, the way he carries out his revenge plot is extremely well thought out and organized, and he is very persistent in making sure justice is served to those who deserve it. One of the main characters who is arguably impacted most significantly by Coalhouse's revenge scheme, is Mother's Younger Brother.

Though Coalhouse himself stays true to his character, Mother's Younger brother can especially be seen as someone who completely re-invents himself from Coalhouse's influence. In the beginning of the novel, Doctorow depicts Mother's Younger Brother as pretty foolish and hard to take seriously, however eventually we find out he is really lost and searching to find himself. Once his path is intertwined with Coalhouse, we see Mother's Younger Brother start to look up to him as the sort of role model he needed to find his purpose. After joining Coalhouse's crew, we see Mother's Younger Brother change not only in attitude, but in his appearance as well. He starts to dress in the same respectable fashions as Coalhouse, and even goes as far as to dress in black face to show his true allegiance. By risking his life to help Coalhouse seek justice, by the end of the novel Mother's Younger Brother re-invents himself into a character that is taken a lot more seriously, and with a lot more respect for his actions.