Owusu-Kwarteng, Louise (2024) Raves and close shaves: an auto/biographical foray into the life of a young black 90s rave queen. Auto/biography Review, 5 (1). pp. 19-31. ISSN 2755-2772

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Abstract

In this article, I reflect on my experiences in 1990s Rave culture as a young Black woman. This article incorporates Wright-Mills’ (1959) ‘Sociological Imagination’ to explore how the socio-historical events of the time shaped my involvement in the rave scene. Further, it explores how raving served as a form of intergenerational resistance against familial and community expectations. I was often a minority in certain rave scenes, considered predominantly White spaces. At the same time, I was regarded as a ‘misfit’ among my Black peers for ‘transgressing’ what they perceived as norms of Blackness, such as engaging in popular culture and music genres like Hip Hop and R’n’B. Through my experience, I consider debates concerning relationships between popular culture consumption and the construction of our ethnic and racial identities. Specifically, I explore how these elements are used to determine our ‘authenticity’ and identities as Black people. I also suggest that our experiences reflect the importance of recognising and celebrating the differences within and between Black people, including our life choices, such as music preferences.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	racial/ethnic identity, authenticity, blackness, rave, music resistance
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences > School of Humanities & Social Sciences (HSS)
Last Modified:	21 Aug 2024 10:25
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/47714

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