Core Post #4 - Madison Lorenz

This week's screening along with the readings really got me thinking about the comparison between Madonna's "feminine" image in comparison to the figures, like Marilyn Monroe, that we have been looking at. It seems that an icon like Madonna, to some extent, switched up the status quo and what it meant to be a woman. On one end, she is the typical blonde, sexy performer who uses being the object of the gaze to her advantage. She uses her femininity and sexuality to get the audience to pay attention. On the other hand, she has been known to appropriate black masculinity through her actions and often use vulgar, more masculine performances and outfits to contradict her other "blonde bombshell" persona. 
What's interesting about Madonna, which the article points out, is that many of her fans don't often recognize the issue of race when it comes to her performances. In the article titled, "Black Looks: Race and Representation" written by Bell Hooks, the author explains that Madonna actually refers to her gay male and non-white fans as "crippled" and/or "defective." Madonna goes further by stating that she "wants to play mother." This idea puts her on a pedestal as if these fans, who in her eyes are crippled, should be looking to her as some sort of savior, which then enforces this ideal of white supremacy. However many of her fans happen to be gay, black men which seems to be ironic seeing that she views them in such a negative way.
When comparing Madonna to someone like Monroe, it is interesting to look at the transition that has taken place when it comes to femininity and power. Monroe was overly sexualized and almost hyper-feminine., which is what gave her recognition and power. Madonna at some points overtly flaunted her female sexuality in order to gain attention and power, but also used a assertion of male dominance in her performances. She often dressed like a man and used vulgar, masculine actions to portray dominance on stage. As the article states, she often saw her competition in other male performers like Prince and Michael Jackson, instead of viewing seeing competition in other women.
Seeing how Madonna was such a large icon, it would be safe to say that she set the stage for women to explore different facets of sexuality and power, instead of sticking to the idea that one must be overly sexualized in order to be successful.