IMANE CHAABA

REFLECTION 9

In the 1990 film, “PARIS IS BURNING”, a ball is where LGBT people and drag queens feel a hundred percent themselves. It’s a place where they don’t feel judged. The ball is an entrainment environment but it is their home at the same time. Some people are there for the excitement and some are for the winning. The thing that surprised me while watching the movie is that the LGBT community and drag queens existed way before that I have thought. They have developed their communities very well. They would have military, business, models, and professors parties so they fulfill their life needs. One of the greatest things mentioned in the film by a drag queen is that rejection from the parents could lead to some seriously bad consequences and that’s the reason why all the gay kids are out in the streets looking for people to understand them. LGBT community or drag queens are very ambitious people who have big dreams and will do anything to take a step forward in order to make their life better. I loved the movie and how real and honest was. Nobody was actually acting but everyone was being his own self talking about their sex life, hormones, and surgeries which were very amazing to watch.

The reading ” The Combahee River Collective Statement” article is about a group of black females who are seeking change in politics by trying to make an end to oppression. Their beliefs and decisions were inspired and taught from their own past and personal experience. In a world where the male is dominant, it is very difficult for the black community to stand up for their rights. These women are so brave for being lesbians and have the courage to face racial politics and racism It is very that black people have always been at the bottom when it comes to America’s economy which makes it very clear how badly they were treated. This group of women believed in themselves and how valuable and capable they can be. They believed that nobody will make a change if they don’t make it themselves. Sexual politics is very connected to sex, race, and class. Black women were always getting disrespect from men. Being black and feminist is hard because it has its ups and downs. As was mentioned in the article: “They are, of course, been more threatened than black women by the possibility that black feminists organize around our needs”.