We Are All In Drag

Confidence. Do you have it? Do you strive for it? This word can generally be described as the state of being certain. If you take a closer look at this description, it can throw a major wrench in your everyday connotation with the term. Most people associate ‘being confident’ with arrogance, presumptuousness, success and certainty in oneself; however, the broad definition above suggests that the state of being certain does not necessarily have a positive implication. A person can be ‘certain’ that they are a failure, or ‘certain’ that life will not fall into place for them. If this is the case, each individual has the capability and competence to decide for themselves how ‘confident’ they truly are, yet today’s media makes that ability all the more difficult.

To clarify, take a look at the above photo. If Megan Fox is “Earth’s Hottest Girl,” then what are you: Earth’s second hottest girl? Magazine covers as well as other media outlets assist individuals in thinking if they do not look like, perhaps, Megan Fox or Ryan Gosling, then something is not right. A major keyword discussed in class was, rhetorical. The above photo is constantly, and from every provocative angle, arguing how we should be, feel, think and essentially live. Fox’s stunning photograph allows other women to feel less of themselves, thus causing a rhetorical shift in culture: making women want to change their lifestyles to accompany Fox on the dark side as: Earth’s Hottest Girl.

Susan Bordo would ask, “when are you pretty enough?” Thanks to magazine covers such as the one above, the answer is never. As seen from the Dove Self Esteem video, most models are doused in make up, stylish clothes and photo shopped before print. Their magazine cover result does not reflect the reality of their appearance. Because of this, Susan Bordo is right when claiming her idea of a “pursuit without terminus.” The images we see in magazines are not a reality, thus causing people to strive for an endless, perpetually changing goal. Body practice is the reason, according to RuPaul, “we are all in drag.” By getting dressed in the morning, whether it is sweat pants or whatever earth’s hottest girl wears, we are all putting on a different identity. Unfortunately, it just so happens that some identities are ‘better’ than others.