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
