Individual Presentation or Panel Title
Awkward and Empowered: A Rhetorical Analysis of “Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl”
Abstract
This project will explore how Issa Rae’s web series “Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl” challenges contemporary notions of black femininity and offers a new perspective on what it means to be an African American woman. Audiences can learn about the many facets of African-American culture and their struggle to be accepted by society and their personal struggle of accepting themselves through the series. Although the series is not complex for it covers typical subjects such as work life and relationships, its approach to the topics makes Awkward Black Girl unique when compared to its competitors on YouTube or cable stations. By giving a voice to awkward black girls across America through her main character, J, Rae demonstrates how racial and gender stereotypes can be detrimental to today’s youth who are looking for something positive in this world. A rhetorical analysis of the twelve episodes will be conducted to examine how Rae’s character functions as a source of empowerment for African American women showing the significance of having diverse minority voices in the media.
Location
Goodwin Private Dining Room
Start Date
21-4-2012 2:30 PM
End Date
21-4-2012 3:20 PM
Awkward and Empowered: A Rhetorical Analysis of “Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl”
Goodwin Private Dining Room
This project will explore how Issa Rae’s web series “Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl” challenges contemporary notions of black femininity and offers a new perspective on what it means to be an African American woman. Audiences can learn about the many facets of African-American culture and their struggle to be accepted by society and their personal struggle of accepting themselves through the series. Although the series is not complex for it covers typical subjects such as work life and relationships, its approach to the topics makes Awkward Black Girl unique when compared to its competitors on YouTube or cable stations. By giving a voice to awkward black girls across America through her main character, J, Rae demonstrates how racial and gender stereotypes can be detrimental to today’s youth who are looking for something positive in this world. A rhetorical analysis of the twelve episodes will be conducted to examine how Rae’s character functions as a source of empowerment for African American women showing the significance of having diverse minority voices in the media.