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
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ReplyDeleteAlso going along with your post + Miley Cyrus's "appropriation" of black culture and twerking there is this really awesome slam poem by Imani Cezanne that talks a lot about what you are saying: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf-z0afvIdY
ReplyDeleteI actually think the mapouka dance is related to Jes Grew even closer than twerking because it spread despite the government not wanting it to. Nobody really cares about twerking. I mean people have opinions about it, but the government isn't trying to stop people from doing it. I don't think they are, anyway.
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent comparison to make because even though the government might not be trying to stop twerking, there have been countless school administration and news outlets trying to stop this "new teenage dancing epidemic." Parents worry their children will be negatively impacted by what's on TV and even ban their kids from listening to the style of music. Cultural appropriation is a term thrown around quite often these days, but Miley Cyrus' performance seemed to be exactly that. Participating in the dance herself with no actual consequences for her actions besides a slight public relations hit. All in all, I would agree Jes Grew is manifested through twerking and that Miley Cyrus really should stop.
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