Why Is RuPaul Problematic?

[Bling 31,369]

1 hour ago, streamstarcrossed said:

There’s also clips of queens demystifying this idea that rupaul is some tyrant who won’t look you in the eye when the cameras are off. Find bussyqueens video on it, he detailed it really well. Regardless though, television is Rupaul’s job. This is how a lot of reality tv functions. The queens aren’t even allowed to talk to each other in the hotels or when they get transported to the studio. 

Interesting that’s how she feels. I’m not aware of any black queens saying this. I love tammy but she seems to have a chip on her shoulder every time she mentions drag race.

Allegedly. Even if true, this has less to do with Rupaul, and more to do with how reality tv is produced. This isn’t uncommon or particular of drag race. And honestly, I just don’t buy it. Maybe in the earlier seasons, but now? Idk.

Idk, maybe someone will make a legitimate point soon…

You make a lot of valid points, however, as a long time fan of the show it's easy to see how overproduced the US version of the show is. Just look at the Kandy Muse storyline. Or Silky. Or even as far back as season 8 and Bob. Trixie and Shay's redemption seasons in All Stars.

I'm not necessarily complaining about those, as most were well deserved but we're obviously staged. 

I have to repeat (as some get overly offended and butthurt when I make constructive criticism) that I love the show, have watched basically since the beginning and this discussion is purely for entertainment purposes 

[Ladle Ghoulash 23,682]

2 hours ago, MessyTop said:

You can’t quote Ru when the quote is not even right! LOL. The clip that Pearl posted is not even in context. 

I mean I paraphrased but pop off. The Big Brother segue doesn't change that it was about Pearl, btw 😊

[Ladle Ghoulash 23,682]

3 hours ago, streamstarcrossed said:

If you've ever bothered to listen to the full hour long podcast instead of the 2 minute sound bite Pearl posted, you’d know Ru wasn’t even talking about her when he said that. The quote was “I would want to hurt them…in a mental way.” He was responding to Michelle Visage talking about competing on Big Brother and saying how if he were competing on the show, he wouldn’t be able to get along with the underhanded housemates, hence “I would want to hurt them…” Pearl wasn’t even brought into the conversation until after that. Do you really think Rupaul is dumb enough to publicly say he wants to destroy someone he gave a platform to?

Ru then explained how he typically holds that vindictive part of his personality back in order to be the bigger person in conflicts. That lead to him discussing Pearl and saying how he could’ve just told her to pack her bags immediately when she got sassy with him but opted not to. 

Publicly stating that you were "being the bigger person" by saying you chose not to be vindictive isn't really being the bigger person, though. Saying it on a public platform, like a podcast, knowing that the person you're talking about might hear it is definitely not being the bigger person. 

[streamstarcrossed 409]

3 minutes ago, deactivated001 said:

Publicly stating that you were "being the bigger person" by saying you chose not to be vindictive isn't really being the bigger person,

Eh. That’s a reach. The topic here is Rupaul being “problematic.” Some queen got sassy with him. He got annoyed by it. Is that problematic? Is he not allowed to talk about how he felt in that moment just because Pearl would eventually hear it? Did he actually do/say anything problematic, or did you just not like it? 

[Ladle Ghoulash 23,682]

3 minutes ago, streamstarcrossed said:

Eh. That’s a reach. The topic here is Rupaul being “problematic.” Some queen got sassy with him. He got annoyed by it. Is that problematic? Is he not allowed to talk about how he felt in that moment just because Pearl would eventually hear it? Did he actually do/say anything problematic, or did you just not like it? 

How is that a reach? It's not like they're on a level playing field. Ru talking **** about competitors on Drag Race is 100% punching down (ie "Blame It On the Edit"). 

[streamstarcrossed 409]

16 minutes ago, deactivated001 said:

How is that a reach? It's not like they're on a level playing field. Ru talking **** about competitors on Drag Race is 100% punching down (ie "Blame It On the Edit")

Because you’re scraping for any defense that will paint Rupaul as the aggressor in this spat with Pearl and ignoring Pearl is the reason it happened in the first place. You don’t get to piss someone off and decide how they should respond. Rupaul never said anything rude to or about her so idk why you're hung up on this. But ok, let’s say Rupaul in fact isn’t the bigger person. What does that change? He still didn’t say anything inflammatory about Pearl or “talk ****.” Again, even if he did, is that really problematic?

Another reach. Punching down? What affect did Blame it on the edit have on anyone? Who did he punch? Did he call out any specific queen? Don’t read too deep into a throwaway silly song 💀 even if he wrote that song specifically about Pearl and mentioned her by name…how would that make him problematic? 

[Fantina 3,349]

I don't really have any problems with Ru. No one is perfect and all the drama surrounding her is blown way out of proportion. She created Drag Race that showcases queer talent around the world ( although I would very much prefer if the show highlighted its international seasons better )

The only beef I have are with the shows producers. It has been 14 seasons and for a show that markets itself as inclusive it really fails to showcases certain forms of art especially alt drag. I know that they can't feature every art of drag there is (cause TV) and that there will always be people like me complaining but the show can definitely be improved. 

[Brizel 593]

He’s not.. he has evolved with the times , he now has trans and non binary, he’s changed wording on the show that is deemed offensive etc. He has done so much for the LGBTQI + community. 

[Oyster 2,458]

Money and fame definitely spoil everyone who attains it. Gaga too is spoiled by it, let’s recognize that at least if we’re being objective. Doesn’t mean the people are bad people or problematic. I believe success requires you to be a bit of an asshole or at least to put yourself first. More of a product of society than is problematic individually. And rupaul is a great example of someone who had done a lot of good with his platform. So no I appreciate rupaul 

[rinasawachanta 3,074]

RuPaul literally does fracking in his backyard. That fact alone is enough to qualify him/her as "problematic," to say the least. No matter how queer you are, that extractivist and capitalist logic deserves to be repudiated and condemned.

[Bonkers 29,484]

I grew up in the 80's.  Back then being gay meant you were equated with pedophiles, and it was to be expected you would be physically assaulted if you were gay, and you were expected to either have aids, or to get aids, and you were taught there was something wrong with you existing.  To the extent you would believe it, and there was literally not even hope you'd have a normal life as a gay person - ever.

Now add a layer of TRANS and a layer of BLACK

And you consider what Ru Paul did, the courage and the self confidence - there is a VERY short list of people who have dared to do what he has for the gay community.

That's why ANY criticism of this legend and hero will prompt me to invite the person criticizing them in anyway to kindly shut their mouths.  

I know people are young, but I was there, and I'm just here to tell you that RuPaul is above criticism.  

[Bling 31,369]

1 hour ago, Bonkers said:

I grew up in the 80's.  Back then being gay meant you were equated with pedophiles, and it was to be expected you would be physically assaulted if you were gay, and you were expected to either have aids, or to get aids, and you were taught there was something wrong with you existing.  To the extent you would believe it, and there was literally not even hope you'd have a normal life as a gay person - ever.

Now add a layer of TRANS and a layer of BLACK

And you consider what Ru Paul did, the courage and the self confidence - there is a VERY short list of people who have dared to do what he has for the gay community.

That's why ANY criticism of this legend and hero will prompt me to invite the person criticizing them in anyway to kindly shut their mouths.  

I know people are young, but I was there, and I'm just here to tell you that RuPaul is above criticism.  

 

2 hours ago, Oyster said:

Money and fame definitely spoil everyone who attains it. Gaga too is spoiled by it, let’s recognize that at least if we’re being objective. Doesn’t mean the people are bad people or problematic. I believe success requires you to be a bit of an asshole or at least to put yourself first. More of a product of society than is problematic individually. And rupaul is a great example of someone who had done a lot of good with his platform. So no I appreciate rupaul 

Well I suppose I should've titled the thread "Why is Drag Race Problematic?" as the issues really lie within the show and not with Ru himself.

[Bonkers 29,484]

Just now, WheresMy911Alice said:

 

Well I suppose I should've titled the thread "Why is Drag Race Problematic?" as the issues really lie within the show and not with Ru himself.

I appreciate you not taking offense to my comment.  I just really love and admire RuPaul and I promised myself many years ago I would stand up for him if anyone ever said anything slightly negative, so it was nothing personal, I was just keeping a promise to myself.  
 

[Bling 31,369]

4 minutes ago, Bonkers said:

I appreciate you not taking offense to my comment.  I just really love and admire RuPaul and I promised myself many years ago I would stand up for him if anyone ever said anything slightly negative, so it was nothing personal, I was just keeping a promise to myself.  
 

Your post was actually amazing and I wish more young LGBTQ+ would delve into their history more and have respect for those that paved the way. I grew up in the 90s and even then, I felt like a freak and had a total identity crisis at like 11yo. Mainly because I grew up in the southern US in suburbia and in a southern Baptist household.

I remember one of the first times I saw RuPaul was in the Brady Bunch movie  I was like "Who is this super tall lady?!?"

[SKANK 14,288]

2 hours ago, rinasawachanta said:

RuPaul literally does fracking in his backyard. That fact alone is enough to qualify him/her as "problematic," to say the least. No matter how queer you are, that extractivist and capitalist logic deserves to be repudiated and condemned.

 

"As Wyomingites are aware, RuPaul and his husband probably have no say over whether fracking occurs on their property. The rights to minerals under a given piece of land, including fossil fuels, are owned separately from the surface rights.

“Unless you own 100% of the fossil fuel rights under your land – and the vast majority of ranches don’t – you can’t prohibit oil and gas development. You don’t have a choice,” said RuPaul’s neighbor, Jay Butler, a fourth-generation rancher and owner of the 18,000-acre Robinson Ranch. Roads and pipelines dotted with oil wells line Butler’s own ranch. “If you drive north out of Douglas, all the ranches are involved with the oil industry.”

While it might be difficult for many landowners to refuse oil and gas development on their properties outright, “negotiating with companies as opposed to just saying no often means being able to get wells and infrastructure located away from sensitive wildlife areas or other areas the landowner cares about”, said Shannon Anderson, staff attorney for the Powder River Basin Resource Council, which advocates for responsible energy development through community organizing.

LeBar, RuPaul’s husband, was born and raised in Australia and inherited the LeBar Ranch from his grandfather, who ran a successful sheep and cattle operation along with his wife for decades on the ranch. Georges LeBar doesn’t own or run cattle himself, instead leasing the grazing rights on his land to other ranchers.

LeBar and RuPaul did not respond to requests for comment.

“RuPaul and LeBar could not say no to oil and gas development,” Butler said. “I cannot say no on any of the ranch that I’m owner of. There’s a healthy tension between ranchers and the oil industry, and you just have to negotiate in good faith.” - The Guardian

 

This was already posted here, but it bears repeating.  

Gossip spreads like an infectious disease doesn't it? Rotting away at the truth. 

Ba-Ba-Babylon