The other day in Humanities, we talked about how Beyonce is a feminist and a voice for the black community. (I literally worship Beyonce. #queen) When Ms. King brought her up the other day in class, I thought I would look into it. Her new song “Formation” (which is my favorite jam currently) is a voice for not only women and blacks, but also LGBTQ people. Omise'eke Natasha Tinsley, a well-versed African and African Diaspora Studies associate professor wrote an article (found at http://time.com/4211888/beyonce-formation-activism/) about Beyonce’s role. Beyonce is celebrating her formation. Everything that has made her who she is: heritage, her fine form, her politics. According to Tinsley, “While some activists call on African Americans to get militant in response to injustice, Beyonce asks ladies to get in formation, to stand side by side and show everyone we’re still here and ‘we gon’ slay, slay <http://www.cosmopolitan.com/ente>.’” The song, then, is all about being a proud African American female. Proud of one’s heritage, body type, natural black hair, and other distinguishing features. The song even has a personal connection to New Orleans, because it features Queen of Bounce Big Freedia (another personal favorite) and the video features an abandoned plantation; Beyonce also says quite literally “Mama Louisiana” and “I Got hotsauce in my bag, swag” since her mother was from Louisiana, and she was raised with southern influences. In conclusion, Beyonce wants to “[unite] dreams, work and power to create a new world—a world where black women own their bodies, pleasures, and possibilities. ‘I dream it, I work hard, I grind ‘til I own it,’ Bey sings, and I believe her.” #SLAYMEBEYONCE #SLAYMEFREEDIA
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I also love Formation:)) After Beyonce's Super Bowl performance there was some negative discussion and backlash about the powerful song--many of the "haters" were claiming that Beyonce was being racist and inappropriate. Of course this is just another example of people trying to start fights over nothing. Like you mentioned, Beyonce invited everyone to slay with her and wanted to inspire people, especially African American individuals, to celebrate their uniqueness. Art, whether it be music, literature, painting, etc, is very powerful. I read an article on the issue written by an African American woman. Stephens (the author) says, "You can keep bashing Beyonce, but here's why I'm staying firmly in Formation," and discusses what the song really meant and what Beyonce was trying to do. Beyonce got out on the field wearing a Michael Jackson inspired outfit while her background dancers "channeled Black Panther Party activists" in the middle of Black History Month. Her performance was incredible--Beyonce was not sending the message that she hates white people! She was simply "paying tribute to her Southern roots" and speaking out against negativity, acting as a mouthpiece for her entire race.
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