Born This Way: Resistance in a Video Featuring Lady Gaga

Abstract

Current study analyzes Lady Gaga ́s vídeo Born this way and reveals aspects that may indicate meaning of (non)resistance with regard to issues such as homosexuality, race and self-acceptance. French Discourse Analysis, based on the works of the philosopher Michel Foucault, foregrounds the theory and methodology used in current research. Foucault ́s contributions, mainly on power relations and resistance, were exploited. Current research investigates the discourse in the video clip Born This Way, by Lady Gaga, dealing with the birth of a new race, free from bias and pre-judgments. Research focused on possible resistance in the matter under analysis with regard to sexuality, religion and the body. However, it may also be observed that while denying naturalized feelings on standardized aesthetics, the video uses bodies that feature standard beauty. As it is proper to discourse, the contradiction that constitutes it should be underscored: resistance is derived from the power that makes it exist.