Madonna: Plantation Mistress or Soul Sister? - Kim Hanlon
Hooks argues that Madonna tries, or does, use black culture as a way to express another side of herself. He believes that Madonna thinks of this ‘other identity’ as an ‘added spice’. Hooks believes that Madonna envies black people and tries to use that to her advantage.
I enjoyed reading Hooks’ article. I found her perspective of Madonna and how she interpreted what Madonna said very interesting. I am not black and would not have interpreted some of the things Madonna has said in the past the same way that Hooks did. Madonna stated in an interview that she ‘wanted to be black as a child’. (Hooks, 1992). Hooks response to this statement by Madonna was, “It is a sign of white
privilege to be able to "see" blackness and black culture from a standpoint where
only the rich culture of opposition black people have created in resistance marks and
defines us. Such a perspective enables one to ignore white supremacist domination
and the hurt it inflicts via oppression, exploitation, and everyday wounds and pains.
White folks who do not see black pain never really understand the complexity of
black pleasure. And it is no wonder then that when they attempt to imitate the joy in
living which they see as the "essence" of soul and blackness, their cultural
productions may have an air of sham and falseness that may titillate and even move
white audiences yet leave many black folks cold.” (Hooks,1992). I found this statement very intriguing. I could feel the pain and disgust that Hooks has for Madonna, amongst others, when they speak about things that they have no background or knowledge about.
Hooks also makes other great points throughout her article. One example is her discussion about Madonna, amongst other famous white people, that demonstrate ‘blonde ambition’. She also defends Madonna in the fact that she is like other black women who suffer from ‘internal racism’.
I did not agree with everything that Hooks said. I do not know Madonna personally, but I do not think that she is trying to put down or disgrace black culture. Her attempt at a ‘crotch grab’, imitating Michael Jackson, could have been misinterpreted by Hooks. Perhaps Madonna was paying tribute to a great performer instead. I think that Hooks took some of Madonna’s and actions out of context, but she does make valid arguments. I would be interested in reading more articles written by Hooks in the future.