This past weekend, I was blessed to be surrounded by the company of friends and family over the Memorial Day holiday.
Family time is always full of joy and appreciation, but friend time is almost always laced with new characters. New faces come with new topics, and new topics come with new experiences.
As my partner and I delve deeper and befriend drag performers of all shapes, colours, and sizes, it’s exceedingly clear theirs is a constant battle.
You “battle” on stage to give the performance of a lifetime and you battle off stage to be recognized for your abilities. I personally have never done drag, however, having spent time on stage, I’m familiar with half the battle.
As drag exposure continues to expand courtesy of shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race, we are bound to see a hubbub of controversy. Controversy can range from an intolerant audience expressing disapproval, or it can come from your own “fans”. Recently, Ru & her show have come under fire from viewers who oppose her use of the adjectives “tranny” & “she-male”.
Ru is having none of it.
In a recent interview Ru was asked about her word selection.
Does the word ‘tranny’ bother me?
No. I love the word ‘tranny.’
Charles continued:
Don’t you dare tell me what I can do or what I can say. It’s just words.
Yeah, words do hurt. ‘Words hurt me.’ You know what? Bitch, you need to get stronger. You really do. Because you know what? If you think, if you’re upset by something I said, you have bigger problems than you think. I’m telling you this.
Truer words have not been spoken. My parents certainly taught me the importance of words, but also that they really have no power if you don’t let them. Sure, words can make you angry or sad, but never should they be allowed to reduce you to a psychotic break.
This new generation can hardly stand to lose. Some even go so far as to concoct stories of victimisation to support their cause. I wasn’t always perfect on stage, no, my mother would catch my hiccups as would I, but we worked them out before the next performance until I was flawless.
This weekend I offered praises where praise was due and offered advice in the hope it be considered. It’s easy to say something negative, or assume a critique is a slight against. It’s monumentally more difficult to suggest an enhancement without a hint of negativity. Sadly we live in time where “being real” is also telling the truth. The truth sometimes hurts, but if we can’t heal ourselves and make ourselves better, then the callouses aren’t worth it; give up. Life’s a drag, but you don’t have to be.
Me?
I came to work.
