A Ratchet Lens: Black Queer Youth, Agency, Hip Hop, and the Black Ratchet Imagination

This article explores the utilization of the theory of a Black ratchet imagination as a methodological perspective to examine the multiple intersections of Black and queer identity constructions within the space of hip hop. In particular, I argue for the need of a methodological lens that recognizes...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inEducational researcher Vol. 46; no. 9; pp. 539 - 547
Main Author Love, Bettina L.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publishing 01.12.2017
SAGE Publications
American Educational Research Association
Subjects
African American Education
Black people
Cultural identity
Cultural Influences
Dance
Feminism
Gays & lesbians
Geographic Location
Hip hop culture
Hip hop music
Homosexuality
Identification (Psychology)
Imagination
Music
Popular Culture
Research Needs
Sexual Identity
Sexual Orientation
Sexuality
Theory
Youth
Louisiana (New Orleans)
cultural analysis
diversity
gay/lesbian studies
gender studies
cross-cultural studies
qualitative research
Black education
arts education
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Summary:This article explores the utilization of the theory of a Black ratchet imagination as a methodological perspective to examine the multiple intersections of Black and queer identity constructions within the space of hip hop. In particular, I argue for the need of a methodological lens that recognizes, appreciates, and struggles with the fluidity, imagination, precarity, agency, and knowledge production of Black queer youth who create and consume hip hop. As an example, I apply a Black ratchet imagination methodological perspective to an examination of New Orleans's bounce culture. I conclude the article by underscoring the need for humanizing, hyper-local, and messy theoretical frameworks that provide further context for research investigating Black queer youth whose identities are informed by the culture of hip hop.
ISSN:0013-189X
1935-102X
DOI:10.3102/0013189X17736520