Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Entertainment

Hairspray Live! Showcased Inequalities Still Happening in 2016

We can always hope the residue of the Jim Crow era will finally disappear

Megan Showers

Dec 12, 2016

Iowa State University

Hairspray Live! Showcased Inequalities Still Happening in 2016

Brian Bowen Smith // NBC

In a world where remakes, reboots and sequels, the same story seems to be re-told over and over again. I will be the first one to tell you that I am NOT the biggest fan of remakes, yet Hollywood loves the movie-remake craze. The latest remake that I was skeptical about was 'Hairspray Live!'

Now don't get me wrong — I am a huge fan of the 2007 movie, 'Hairspray' (I know, its a remake, but its the one case where I prefer the remake over the original). I was confused when I first started seeing commercials for Hairspray Live! because this was the fourth time Hollywood was trying to wow audiences with the same story line.

The original film is nearly thirty years old and even then, was set in 1962 Baltimore. The social unrest in the 1950's regarding the segregation and inequalities against black Americans exploded into widespread demonstrations in the 60's. Now, in 2016 inequalities are still happening to people of color, LGBT individuals and women. Hairspray is a timeless story relating to political turmoil, no matter the decade.

The 2016 election has shown that America is diverse, yet still divided by misogyny, harassment and hate speech. Hairspray Live! came at the right moment —rehashing a classic story with political undertones when America needed it the most.

Inclusiveness and Acceptance

Tracy Turnblad's dream is to become a dancer on the Corny Collin's Show. After landing a spot on the show, she begins fighting the shows racial segregation policies to make The Corny Collins Show more inclusive. A second grade lesson (to most) of inclusiveness and acceptance is one many need to take notice of.

Body Positivity

One of the sweetest songs in the films, broadway shows and Hairspray Live! is 'Welcome to the 60's'. Tracy sings the song to her overweight mother who hasn't left the house in 11 years afraid of what the neighbors might think and say about her heaviness. The song 'Without Love' also showcases that love looks at what is in the inside, not the outside.

Gift of Love

We can always hope than in 2016, the residue of the Jim Crow era will fully disappear. In all four installments of Hairspray, Penny falls in love with an African-American boy named Seaweed Stubbs, the son of Motormouth Maybelle. She says, "Well, love is a gift, a lot of people don't remember that. So, you two better brace yourselves for a whole lotta ugly comin' at you from a neverending parade of stupid."

While the differences in plots and songs have altered the story of Hairspray over the years, Hairspray Live! still showcased the same message of acceptance and understanding that all human beings deserve.

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Health and Wellness

To The Cheerful Person On Their Rainy Days, You Are Valid

The world is not always sunshine and rainbows, and you do not have to be, either.

University of Florida

150

Photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash

Ask friends of mine to name a quality about me, and one a lot them will point out the fact that I am almost always smiling. I like to laugh and smile -- not to quote Buddy the Elf in April, but smiling is my favorite! It is probably my favorite go-to expression. However, what a lot of people do not see is that I have my down days. I have days when smiling and laughing is a real struggle, or when I have so much on my plate that going out of my way to behappy takes more effort than I have stored in me. Be it a symptom of college and growing up or a facet of life, I cannot always be content.

Keep Reading...Show less

rainy days

Adulting

11 Ways To Live The Best Life You Can

Life is full of twists and turns, but you have to keep going.

Sam Houston State University

Life is all about twist and turns, sideways and which ways. Nothing is permanent, so we should take risks, and chase our dreams. We are taught at a young age many lessons that will follow us into adulthood. What we aren't taught is how to feel, and how we handle those emotions. We just have to figure them out ourselves, and that's not fun. In my 21 years of living, I have come to know that way too many people can't handle emotions, or the fact that not everyone is dead inside like them. When you're like me, and you have zero control over your emotions, it's hard to feel comfortable around people who aren't so in touch with themselves. As much as I would like to feel nothing at times, I've accepted who I am and the fact that I can cry over practically nothing. So, there are some things in life that you just have to do.

Keep Reading...Show less

life advice

Recommended for you

Hairspray Live! Showcased Inequalities Still Happening in 2016

We can always hope the residue of the Jim Crow era will finally disappear

Inclusiveness and Acceptance

Body Positivity

Gift of Love

Subscribe to our Newsletter

The world is not always sunshine and rainbows, and you do not have to be, either.

It would be so much easier to just pay someone to do it for you

1. Figuring out when to start

2. Searching through list after list to get everything you need

3. Shopping for deals

4. Getting bins to put everything in

5. Figuring what you can’t live without

6. Going through clothes to find what you need

7. Finding out your siblings took something from you

8. Fighting with your parents.

9. Trying to plan things with your roommate

10. The fear of forgetting something

11. Move in day

Relatable moments from one of the best shows I have ever watched.

1. When you fail that midterm you studied so hard for.

2. When your crush finally texts back.

3. When payday comes around.

4. When you accidentally like someone's picture from 108 weeks ago.

5. When someone takes your unassigned assigned seat.

6. When your favorite character in your favorite TV series dies.

7. When that guy/girl you’ve been crushing on agrees to go on a date with you.

8. When you have so much to do, and such little motivation to do it.

9. When someone asks for your last fry.

10. When you try a new health-food craze.

11. When you get new clothing.

12. When you check your bank account.

13. When they're serving good food in the dining hall.

14. When someone tries to tell you what to do.

15. Or just your thoughts about life in general.

We all have that "I don't care" attitude.

1. Most students just take life day by day.

2. That means procrastinating, one day at a time.

3. College students don't mind dressing like crap sometimes.

4. In fact, dressing nice feels weird.

5. College students get so stressed that they contemplate dropping on a daily basis.

6. But most find another solution to deal with that stress.

7. And that solution can be pretty cheap. Anything over $5 is expensive.

8. One of the only things college students will spend money on is coffee.

9. College is just really expensive and you never forget how expensive it is.

10. But hey, we're getting a somewhat high-quality education, right?

11. We all really just want to pet dogs all day.

12. And eat pizza for every meal.

13. And stab the next person who asks us what we want to do with our life.

14. However, despite the stress and student loans, college is amazing and there's plenty of reasons to smile.

Thank you, April, for inspiring us with your wicked relatability.

Life is full of twists and turns, but you have to keep going.

1. Wallow.

2. Cry.

3. Get Angry.

4. Tell Someone You Love Them.

5. Forgive.

6. Let go of the negative people in your life.

7. Be yourself.

8. Swallow Your Pride.

9. Stop Freaking Out Over Your Body.

10. Say No.

11. Accept Love.

Trending Topics

Top Creators

Trending Stories

Best of Entertainment

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments

Subscribe to our
Newsletter