Commonwealth Policy Center

Reality TV star RuPaul Charles made Emmy history by becoming the most-awarded person of color. His show “RuPaul’s Drag Race” won the best reality-competition program. To be clear, this isn’t a show about muscle cars. It’s primarily about men dressing up in women’s clothing, donning makeup, and simulating female traits. The programming is controversial and objectionable to many, but it reflects where the culture is. So what message does a program like this send to children? In his acceptance speech, RuPaul said, “For you kids out there watching, you have a tribe that is waiting for you. We are waiting for you, baby. Come on to Mama Ru!” Is this what we were designed to aspire to and is this what we want our children to become?