CREATIVITY + RISK = POLITICS

Madison Moore’s talk brought up many new concepts to the table, all based on the summation of creativity and bringing it to public space (risk) that leads to politics. His whole being, the concept of taking art, style, and euay form annihilation to recreate oneself is apparent in their work as an artist and writer. He asserts that style is way for one to express themselves, that it tells one about their personality and more.

This concept of self-expression via style was connected to what Moore coined “noturnal self.” At night, the “freaks” come out, something about the darkness of night allows one to be our self with no constraints. Like the homeplace is a place to resist social constructs, night time is a time to resist social constructs. For this reason, I believe that the club is predominately Black creator space as it has become a place in which Black people can show their nocturnal self and forget about any and every prejudices they may face during the day – it provides a safe and comforting space for many.

I believe the concept of the nocturnal self is a way of queer politics. Cathy Cohen argues that “queer theory focuses on and makes central not only the socially constructed nature of sexuality and sexual categories, but also the varying degrees and multiple sites of power distributed within all categories of sexuality” (Punks, Bulldaggers, and Welfare Queens 439). Queer politics disrupts dominant norms of sexuality and other dichotomies enforced upon by society. Using one’s own style in the nocturnal self is an example of queering space and challenging society’s perception.

Clubs provide a portal, an outlet for those who feel repressed during the day to outwardly express themselves. Just as Lizzo’s VMA performance showed women they can express themselves, these portals allow for liberation where we reject societal norms by being ourselves. Portals allow people to show they’re true style, a method of self-expression, which therefore welcomes intersectionality within a community.