Raygun’s Olympic Stunt: A Stark Reminder of Cultural Theft and Economic Injustice

by Nwanne Onwunzu

Now that the Memes Are Waning – Can We Talk?

I purposely waited until the hype, laughter, and memes died down to write this blog – because I believe the conversation deserves more. If you haven’t seen Rachael Gunn’s (Raygun) performance during the breakdancing competition at the Olympics – watch at your own risk here.

The Raygun Triggers

I know I may be the anomaly here – but I didn’t laugh at Raygun’s performance. And I likely didn’t because it wasn’t funny to me; it was triggering. For some of you, you may have experienced the same.

#1: The Performance Triggered Fake Meritocracy

As a Black woman recovering from the battle scars of Corporate America, watching this performance felt like art imitating life. It reminded me of the time I meticulously crafted a strategy that was so impactful, it was rolled out globally. Then, I was unceremoniously removed from the project I created and replaced by a White woman I was expected to train.

When I watched Raygun hopping around in front of performers who embodied creativity, skill, and tenacity – it mirrored this mockery. It’s the age-old tale of being sidelined after paving the way, only to see someone less qualified reap the rewards. This wasn’t just a poor performance; it was a painful reminder of how often mediocrity is celebrated when it comes wrapped in privilege.

#2: The Performance Triggered Cultural Appropriation

Raygun’s Olympic performance was not just a dance; it was a crude distortion of a cultural expression rooted in Black urban life. Watching her flail on that stage, I couldn’t help but see the broader picture of how our culture is continually co-opted, stripped of its depth, and sold back to us in a form that’s palatable to the masses but devoid of its original essence.

This wasn’t just a failed performance; it was a blatant example of how the revolutionary spirit of hip-hop – born from struggle and resilience – can be reduced to a caricature for the world’s amusement. And who benefits? Certainly not the originators of the culture, who continue to be marginalized even as their art is commercialized.

#3: The Performance Triggered Resource Scarcity

The originators of breaking often relied on the support of their communities, communities that were often financially strapped themselves, to sustain their art and lives. The fact that Raygun stands to gain financially from this zero-point performance is infuriating. But it also brings up the generational wealth gap that continues to plague our society. She’s earned grants for her study of breakdancing and now stands to gain even more, while so many talented, Black and brown breakers struggle to find the resources to sustain their craft.

This wasn’t just a flop; it was a stark reminder of how the system continues to reward mediocrity when it comes dressed in privilege, while those who live and breathe the culture are left to fight for scraps.

In Conclusion: It’s Time to Stop Laughing and Start Talking

We’ve had our laughs, but now it’s time for serious conversations. Raygun’s performance is not just an isolated incident; it’s a reflection of broader issues of equity, appropriation, and the persistent economic disparities that plague our society. These are issues we can’t afford to ignore.

It’s time we held up a mirror to these realities, not just for ourselves but for our culture and for the generations that will follow. We owe it to the originators of hip-hop, to the communities that birthed it, and to the future innovators who will carry the torch forward.

We can’t let moments like this pass without critical reflection - and the pain behind the laughter.