What is the first thing that pops into your head when you think of the term “fag?” Is it a white, preppy, well groomed, pretty male? If so, you are not alone. That seems to be what most people think of when they think of the term “fag.” All of these things are associated with this word and therefore when a male encompasses one or more of these features he is labeled as a fag.
Fag is no longer a derogatory term to describe a homosexual male, but a way to define a lack of, or failed, masculinity. There are unspoken rules and laws in a typical American high school that restrain the actions of teen males. You would think that these rules only encompass behavior and appearance but subconsciously race falls into the definition of fag. These rules vary based on race. Certain races and cultural circles are able to act in various ways that would have the stereotypical white, high school, football player from the suburbs labeled as a fag.
C. J. Pascoe explores this subject in her book, Dude You’re a Fag. Drawing upon her experiences as a observer at a “typical American high school” Pascoe writes a detailed account of masculinity and social control within the education system. Let’s use her example and take a black male high school student who is part of the “hip-hop culture” and compare him to a white, preppy, male, same age, class, and background and see just how differently these two are labeled just based on their skin color, culture, and style.
If the white male was seen dancing with another male: “FAG!” If the he was seen hugging another man: “FAG!” If he looked nice or cared too much about his clothing or daily showers: “FAG!”
Now lets look at our African American student in the same situations. When he dances with another male: “Damn! I wish I could dance like those guys! That is so gangsta!” If he is seen hugging another man: “oh, they tight homies.” If he looks nice and carefully picks out his outfits daily so they match perfectly: “Now that dude is the definition of fly.”
It is not necessarily only the color of their skin that determines whether or not one is labeled as a fag, although it does have an affect It is also the culture that males take part in that determines how they will be labeled. If a white male walked through the halls of a high school in America wearing baggy shorts hanging off of his rear end, boxers showing, hat turned to the side, and sporting fresh, clean, white sneakers it is automatically assumed that he is a member of the hip-hop culture and therefore hypermasculine. Hypermasculinity is associated with the hip-hop culture and teenage boys want to relate to that culture because it embodies the image that all men want to achieve, which is “the man on top.” Taking part in the hip-hop culture automatically makes teenage boys “cool” and respected, something that most high school students try to achieve for four years.
So, by labeling someone as a fag, it is not necessarily calling them a homosexual, but drawing out all of the negative connotations associated with homosexuality. Fag has become racialized, culturalized, and taken from its original meaning to be used as an agent of social control; that is to say, peers controlling other peers around them. By fear of being a social outcast, people follow their peers’ lead. Fag no longer means homosexual but embodies everything that is not considered not normal or perfect within society. Anything that is simply out of the ordinary can be labeled fag. White guy wearing a colorful outfit: “Dude, you’re such a fag.” Black guy who participates in the hip-hop culture: “Dude, you’re so cool.”