Appearance, Clothing, and Fashion for Teaching Intersectional Identity ( Scholarly)

By: Howell, Alexandra L.; Holway, Olivia; Kalevas, Patricia. Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences , 2019, Vol. 111 Issue 3, p38-44, 7p; DOI: 10.14307/JFCS111.3.38, Database: Education Source

Summary:

This article focuses on the different cultural references, fashion choice and hidden meanings Beyoncé album lemonade had in it. During the 2017–2018 academic year, a social psychology of appearance course took on the issue of identity politics utilizing the acclaimed visual album Lemonade, starring Beyoncé. Using the cultural kaleidoscope as inspiration and the Family and Consumer Sciences Body of Knowledge (Nickols, 2009) as a guide, an assignment was developed to address identity politics through fashion education. As outlined in the course requirements, students viewed, discussed, and ultimately wrote about Lemonade. The purpose of this paper is to explore student interpretations of intersectional identity as represented in Lemonade through appearance. The essays were analyzed for their content and six themes were identified from the 18 essays. Findings suggest that Lemonade can be an effective platform to discuss issues surrounding identity politics in the United States, particularly in K–12 and college classrooms. Lemonade is more than just the infidelity of Beyoncé husband.

Response:

Can Lemonade be an effective platform to discuss issues surrounding identity politics in the U.S.? I think that lemonade can be a great platform to discuss issues surrounding identity politics. Lemonade was an album that showed woman together are stronger. This album shows that you can take a bad situation and spin it around for people of a group. In this case it was Beyoncé showing that she wouldn’t let her husband scandal bring her down. She represents herself as a strong feminist leader who doesn’t need a man to define her, by doing this she inspired other Women’s. Identity politics is a political approach and analysis based on people prioritizing the concerns most relevant to their particular racial, religious, ethnic, sexual, social, cultural or other identity, and forming exclusive political alliances with others of this group, instead of engaging in more traditional, broad-based party politics. I felt like Lemonade embody identity politics in the sense of this was a way for females to step up and support each other. Every group just needs a leader and that’s who Beyoncé is. She’s represented herself a leader who is all for women's own self of independence and self-love. Lemonade way of showing identity politics is by letting females know all they need is each other for support. Stop relying on the tradition role of men’s have all the say so, but instead stand up for yourself and be your own source of success.

-MELVIN