QueerToday.com is calling on the Russian River Resort to cancel the June 19, 2010 performance of Drag Queen Shirley Q. Liquor, who performs in “blackface.”
From the petition:
Shirley Q. Liquor is a drag persona played by Charles Knipp. Knipp performs in blackface as an exagerated stereotype of a black “welfare queen.” There is no point to this performance other than to get cheap laughs. While we can support intelligent comedic analysis of oppression, racism, and race relations we cannot and will not support this modern day minstrel show.
As the petition articulates, comedic and gender-bending performances are fun and important forms of entertainment and often help us analyze social issues through a new lens.
Shirley Q. Liquor’s performances do the opposite. They reduce the portrayal of Black and African American peoples to insidious, unjust and inaccurate stereotypes. As a Drag King and co-founder of the gender-performance troupe Drag King Rebellion, I am personally and professionally offended by Liquor’s performances.
Drag shows can be fun, educational and often incredibly empowering. To use this venue to disrespect, mock and disempower Black and African Americans is an assault to the nature and power of Drag performance and should be vehemently opposed.
Please join me and QueerToday.com in signing the petition encouraging the Russian River Resort to cancel Shirley Q. Liquor’s performance and instead book a gender performer committed to respecting our diverse communities!
