An Analysis of Black Celebrity Anti-Racist Activism
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University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository Graduate Studies The Vault: Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020-07-08 In the Blacklight of Media: An Analysis of Black Celebrity Anti-Racist Activism Moghtader, Shabnam Moghtader, S. (2020). In the Blacklight of Media: An Analysis of Black Celebrity Anti-Racist Activism (Unpublished master's thesis). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. http://hdl.handle.net/1880/112284 master thesis University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission. Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY In the Blacklight of Media: An Analysis of Black Celebrity Anti-Racist Activism by Shabnam Moghtader A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS GRADUATE PROGRAM IN COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA STUDIES CALGARY, ALBERTA JULY, 2020 © Shabnam Moghtader 2020 Abstract This thesis examines black celebrity anti-racist activism as a significant part of contemporary popular culture. Using Beyoncé’s 2016 Superbowl 50 halftime show and NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s 2016 “Take a Knee” protest as case studies, I employ discursive textual analysis to thematically unpack how these celebrities and their political activism is articulated and debated within mainstream news media. My analysis reveals multiple competing discourses that situate Beyoncé and Kaepernick as both inspiring political leaders and dangerous, militant figures. Based on this analysis, I argue that news media coverage of Beyoncé and Kaepernick function as a site for negotiation over meanings around historical and contemporary racial politics, pointing to the important work that black celebrity activism does within media cultures today. ii Acknowledgments First and foremost, I would like to thank my incomparable supervisor, Dr. Jessalynn Keller for her mentorship over the last few years. Your support and guidance throughout the course of this degree made every moment more enjoyable. Having the opportunity to learn from you has been instrumental in not only my academic career but also in my personal growth. Thank you for helping me create a thesis that I am incredibly proud of. To my committee member, Dr. Samantha Thrift and Dr. Tamara Shepherd, thank you for taking the time to advise on my thesis. Your thoughtful questions, comments and feedback provided for a more insightful review of my work. Aside from being on my committee, you have both been such aspirational and encouraging figures throughout my program for which I am forever grateful. Thank you to Dr. Mél Hogan for your constant encouragement and making me feel like I was not only capable but also deserving of academic success. Our conversations are one that I will carry with me forever. I would like to thank the administrative staff in the CMF Department, specifically Megan Freeman. Thank you for your support and guidance-both academically and personally. You always made the CMF department feel warm and welcoming. My thesis could not have been complete without the unconditional and unwavering support of my family and friends. To my parents, thank you for wholeheartedly believing in me and encouraging me to continue in my academic studies. Your constant reminders of “you’re SO good, you’re SO smart, you can do anything” continue to be my daily affirmations. I love you iii more than I can ever put into words. To the best big brother, Badi and my incredible sister (in law) Catherene- your support in work and life has been instrumental. Thank you both for always making me laugh when I needed it (you’re both smart AND funny). Most importantly, to my husband and best friend, Neil. You are my rock. You are the smartest and bravest person I know. Your love and belief that I can accomplish any and everything I put my mind to has been my constant. Thank you for staying up with me and helping me proofread my work on all those late nights (even when you had work in the morning). You are the reason I was able to start and finish this degree. I love you most. Finally, to my entire world, my son, Rumi. You are my sunshine and lovely day, forever and always. I love you Pehsaram. This thesis is dedicated to you. iv Table of Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................................ii Acknowledgments ...................................................................................................................................... iii Table of Figures .......................................................................................................................................... vi CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 1 Background of Events .............................................................................................................................. 4 Theoretical Framework ............................................................................................................................ 6 Methodology ........................................................................................................................................... 11 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW......................................................................................... 15 Studying Celebrity ................................................................................................................................. 16 Visibility & Fame ................................................................................................................................ 17 Audience, Production and Consumption ............................................................................................ 19 The Important Role of Celebrity ......................................................................................................... 20 Celebrity Feminism ............................................................................................................................... 23 Famous because of Feminism ............................................................................................................. 25 ‘Are You a Feminist?’ ......................................................................................................................... 26 The Problematic Celebrity Feminist ................................................................................................... 29 Celebrity Humanitarianism.................................................................................................................. 31 Philanthropy........................................................................................................................................ 31 Celebrity Reformation: Safety in the Third World .............................................................................. 34 The Nurturing Caregiver .................................................................................................................... 37 Masculinity & Colonialism ................................................................................................................. 40 Anti-Racist Activism ............................................................................................................................. 42 Historical Black Activism.................................................................................................................... 42 The Black Athlete Activist ................................................................................................................... 45 The New Movement ............................................................................................................................. 49 CHAPTER THREE: THE POLITICAL POTENCY OF THE BLACK CELEBRITY .................... 52 BEYONCÉ: A Moment of “Political Ascent” ..................................................................................... 53 Saluting the Black Panther Party........................................................................................................ 54 Challenging Respectability Politics .................................................................................................... 59 A” Shout Out” to Black Lives Matter ................................................................................................. 62 COLIN KAEPERNICK: Kneeling for Equality and Justice -- Not Just an Anthem ..................... 74 An Athlete’s Right to Protest ............................................................................................................... 76 The Politics of “Patriotism” ............................................................................................................... 80 Deflection and Detraction Through Democratic Racism ................................................................... 86 CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................. 92 Project Overview and Key Findings......................................................................................................