Butler and Gender Theory
Judith Butler, in full Judith Pamela Butler, (born February 24, 1956, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.), American academic whose theories of the performative nature of gender and sex were influential within Francocentric philosophy, cultural theory, queer theory, and some schools of philosophical feminism from the late 20th century. (Duignan, 2020)
Understanding Butler’s Gender Theory
Judith Butler theory believes that gender is not a single act nor is it one thing that is given to you. Gender cannot be determined for you from birth but gender is rather a reputation and a ritual which achieves its affects through the naturalisation in the context of the body and on the surface of the body. In other words this means that the process by which you utilise in your day-to-day life for example the way you styled your hair, the way you dress, All the things that you applied your body helps to determine how you identify your gender. Butler believes that the physical anatomy of the body does not determine gender but that we construct our agenda for ourselves. Whether it is done consciously or subconsciously through constant behaviours from hand gestures, the styles we choose, the way we talk all of these help to identify our gender.
Starting in the beauty community at such a young age James has always faced gender stereotypes his entire life. While James is Male based on they way in which he presents himself to the world many would say that he portrays many characteristics that would identify him as Female. during this entry we will examine the aspect of James Identify.
Despite multi-billion dollar fashion labels like Gucci continuing to push a more genderless wardrobe and rappers like Young Thug wearing dresses on their album covers, makeup is an one idea most men — gay or straight — haven’t fully embraced (Woolf, 2016)
James Charles Gender Stereotypes
Aside from wearing a full face of makeup James’ style is also more feminine. James can bee seen wearing what society would call ‘female’ clothing, these include dresses, skirts and very revealing clothing. James is also seen in ‘Drag’ which takes is roots in Shakespeare times, specifically in theatre when women weren’t permitted to perform on stage so men would play female roles. The word ‘drag’ is believed to have theatrical origins too. The dresses men wore to play female characters would drag along the floor, hence the name drag (BBC, 2020).
Today more modern form of drag Drag is a gender-bending art form in which a person dresses in clothing and makeup meant to exaggerate a specific gender identity, usually of the opposite sex.While drag’s main purpose has been for drag performance and entertainment, it is also used as self-expression and a celebration of LGBTQ+ pride. A typical drag show will include lip-syncing or dance, and performers often have elaborate clothing, hair, and makeup.
How James Charles Displays his Gender
James Gender identity can be seen in the way that he carries himself throughout his day to day life. When talking James uses many hand gestures even the way he walks and talks is also done in very famine manner.
The hate associated with James Charles gender performativity
While the James Charles fandom loves all aspects of his personality and gender identity, James has also face a lot of hate and criticism for this as well. After analysing his Instagram post it common for him experience hate full comments on all of his post, but in post where James can seen in full drag there is even more hateful responses as individuals think that his drag persona is misleading and gives the impression that he want to be a female rather than a male wearing. seems as through many people do not really have a problem with James dressing in girl clothes but they especially hat when he is in full Drag.
Based on these comments from users they are not please James portrays female characteristics and would rater James Charles to associate his behaviours with his male anatomy a man by any means buy by
Bibliography
Bbc.co.uk. n.d. [online] Available at: <https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zbkmkmn> [Accessed 15 January 2021].
Duignan,B. (Unknown date). ‘Judith Butler’. Brittanica.com.
[online] [Accessed on 14th of January 2021]. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Judith-Butler
Felluga, Dino. ‘Modules on Butler: On Gender and Sex.’ Introductory Guide to Critical Theory. [online] [Accessed on 14th of January 2021]. https://cla.purdue.edu/academic/english/theory/genderandsex/modules/butlergendersex.html#:~:text=JUDITH%20BUTLER%20questions%20the%20belief,upon%20us%20by%20normative%20heterosexuality
MasterClass. (2020) What Is Drag? A Primer on Drag Queens in Popular Culture. 8th November [Online] [Accessed on 13th January 2021] https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-primer-on-drag-queens-in-popular-culture#what-is-drag
Sisters Apparel (2020) Sisters. [Online] [Accessed on 17th January 2021] https://sisters-apparel.com/
Woolf, J. (2016) ‘The New face of Covergirl Is a Guy.’ GQ. [Online] 12th October. [Accessed on 16th January 2021] https://www.gq.com/story/covergirl-guy-james-charles-makeup
