Assignment:
Gender Resistance:
Surfing the Net with RuPaul, Zena, Chyna, and Lara Croft
This assignment requires some websurfing. Find several websites (how many is really up to you and how much information you can find) devoted to one of the recent popular culture icons that embody nontraditional gender roles and have a "cult" following.
Examples include (but aren't limited to) RuPaul, Zena, Chyna, Lara Croft, Jaden Smith, Miley Cyrus, Serena Williams, Merica from "Marriage Boot Camp"though there are many others.
1. Describe this cultural icon. Is the icon a real person or a fictional character?
2. What gender stereotypes does s/he violate?
3. Locate fan pages devoted to this icon and describe what s/he represents to fans.
4. Describe the subculture associated with this icon.0
5. What are some elements of gender resistance within this subculture?
6. In what ways does this icon continue to embody traditional gender stereotypes at the same time that s/he violates others?
7. In what ways does this icon create new gender stereotypes?
8. In your opinion, does this icon seriously challenge traditional constructions of gender?
9. Include a listing of the websites you consulted including full URLs.