Everything But the Burden: Appropriating Amy Winehouse Strikes Again
My best friend hasn't listenened to a note of Amy Winehouse for unease at her freewheeling Black iconographical abuse. I, long charmed by the voice, tried not to pay her egregiousness much mind but this photo shoot has jolted me from my self-sedated stupor. Winehouse has traded in blackness since America was introduced to her on, Back to Black, which was good, very good, but NOT novel just 90's Lauryn Hill with cynicism, exceptional self-awareness, deprecation, and whiteness (ding! ding! ding!) standing in for righteous Black earth motherhood. Winehouse seems determined to be interred ASAP but that doesn't give her a pass. Check the styling and, non-Blacks, take note to how you too can accessorize yourself with Blackness and fast track yourself to stardom. I think another viewing of Bamboozled is in order.
Scans via Urban Scanz. Click on pics for larger views.
de.licio.us
digg
Furl
Reddit
YahooMyWeb
Comments
1.
Anonymous says:
wow, I used to give her a pass cos she sounded good... guess I should have expected her to push the envelope even further.
09/23/2007 at 11:41 AM
2.
jalylah says:
TL,
Lol at the rehab remix! And thx for well wishes. I am more concered for Amy than confused by her. She clearly is battling low self-esteem and playing out some sort of romanticized tragic musician's life.
Jason aka Brick Cheney,
I considered not responding to you as you clearly only skimmed the post but I am feeling generous today. Please click on the scans for a glance at the Black iconography to which I refer (I don't ever refer to beehives, your grandma's or ronnie spectors, so I'm not quite sure from whence your righteous indignation comes. Although know that a case could be made by an informed student of pop music about how Winehouse draws upon the multiracial Ronettes legacy.) If you still have any questions or would like suggestions for further reading, please advise.
09/21/2007 at 3:44 PM
3.
brick cheney says:
My grandma had a beehive in the 50's, should she be pissed at Amy Winehouse too?
09/21/2007 at 12:56 PM
4.
tL says:
i enjoy her music.
i'm confused by her life.
she's living fast, but not growing up
(in that early drew barrymore sort of way).
i'm all for authentic self,
but as far as appropriation goes -
i say "no, no, no."
ps - hope you feel better soon.
09/21/2007 at 9:53 AM