Getting it right: Joan and Miley . . . ?

Popular culture can be good for the history business. As a medievalist, I already know this as film and fantasy co-mingle to contribute to the "Middle Ages," though filled with dragons, throat-slittings, and magic. Joan of Arc is never far from popular reflection, whether it's Bill and Ted's Most Excellent Adventure or the Simpsons (Lisa as Joan is perfect). But recently I was thrown for a loop when I encountered History's Epic Rap Battles: Joan vs. Miley Cyrus. This hilarious series on youtube pits many historical figures against one other: you may want to check out Gandhi vs. Martin Luther King. Some are just plain silly like Genghis Khan vs. the Easter bunny, while others raise questions about whether some historical figures should even be included in popular culture analyses [Darth Vader vs. Hitler]. But to pair Napoleon vs. Napoleon Dynamite is amusing. So turning to Joan and Miley brings a new eye to Joan's story and its interplay in the public sphere. Will the epic rap battle stand the test of historical analysis?

Although at first offended to find Miley as the choice for Joan's dueling rapper, which forced Joan to make many slurs on Miley's onscreen sexual nature, I soon decided the choice was appropriate.  In one historical account, Joan circulated through the soldiers camp and dared to drive out uninvited women with the end of her sword. Though perhaps unknown to the writers, pairing Joan who emits saintliness, courage, and confidence with Miley makes for an apropos pairing. Many words within the song lyrics  are well known to the general public including Joan as a "virgin girl," her relationship with God, and her death at the stake. That Joan is referred to as a cross-dressing peasant is also a well-known aspect of Joan and popular culture, although we might debate whether Joan was truly a cross-dresser in modern parlance, or someone who dressed the soldier's part. My favorite part of Joan's rap was when she referred to herself as the "Patron Saint of Bad Bitches"--what a relief in popular culture to have some kind of feistiness attributed to her. Say good-bye to the humble handmaid, the sleepy shepherdess, and the giggling adolescent. This armored Joan has some kick, like Katniss Everdeen. 

 OK: to dispense with the applause, the rap lyrics seem to privilege masculinity when it supposes that her dad "taught her everything she knows" and that she came to the aid of French men. At her trial, Joan related  that her mother taught her the basics in her religious education and of course she aided many men, and women, in Orleans, Reims, and other locations. Perhaps the biggest misstep is when the lyrics, sung by Miley, suggest that Joan was "betrayed by those you defended." Although most of the song is highly accurate, this is an oops moment. It's a common mistake in popular culture (the movie The Messenger, declares the same thing on the screen). But, of course, Joan never defended the English or the Burgundians who were her enemies. Who won this epic rap battle? Joan of Arc, of course! Did the viewers win? I am thankful for the intersection of history and popular culture. Generally, I think the video serves history well, though any errors are one too many in my opinion (and this one is a big one because it contributes to ongoing ideas of conspiracies against Joan). The spirit of Joan: "A" for its creative approach, perhaps sparked by the fiery rap setting. The actual history: "B-" for cribbing the notes from a popular  movie. 

To watch this video (some language, so not appropriate for less-than-mature audiences): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQx1sqPHTrk