I am both shocked and yet, excited to see that the topic of Beyoncé’s new song, “Formation,” has not been addressed. The first and only time that I’ve encountered this song was during her performance at the Super Bowl. Since then, I’ve heard a multitude of controversy arising on social media in regards to the song, the YouTube video, as well as her Super Bowl performance.
Naturally, with anything focused on the topic of race and gender, there are two sides (which in 2016 still baffles me). From what I’ve experienced thus far on social media, one side is in favour, while the other side is filled with critiques. For the most part, individuals of all races are proud to see Beyoncé using her celebrity platform as a means to promote racial equality. Her performance and music video (which I have attached at the bottom), feature an all black and female cast/crew. Moreover, her song alone is focused on staying true to her Black culture with lyrics like,
“My daddy Alabama, Momma Louisiana
You mix that negro with that Creole make a Texas bama
I like my baby heir with baby hair and afros
I like my negro nose with Jackson Five nostrils
Earned all this money but they never take the country out me
I got a hot sauce in my bag, swag.”
(I have also attached a link with the song lyrics, which are helpful in defining the significance of each line of the song.)
With something that seems otherwise beneficial and an attempt at achieving equality, the question I am still struggling to understand is, what is the problem? Well, a quick search on Google provides plenty of explanations. Moreover, simply scrolling through Facebook, which is what initially introduced me to this debate, reveals even more. What struck me initially was everyone’s claim that the ladies in her Super Bowl performance resembled those of the “The Black Panther Movement.” The more I encountered this argument, the more I was intrigued. After a quick search, I discovered that “The Black Panther Party,” accounted for a Black organization, which sought to limit police brutality of African Americans during the 1960’s. The “Black Panther Party” itself, is still considered to be one of the most controversial Black movements. Unfortunately, I don’t know enough about the Black Panther Movement to contribute to this claim, and have to admit, I don’t care to know more. Why? Because if indeed, it was something negative in the past, I think it’s important to remember that it was, “the past.”
I think the main issue at hand, does not lie in Beyoncé’s possible tribute to the Black Panther Movement, nor does it lie in her suggestive choreography which pays tribute to the “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” protest. There is an excessive amount of racial and gender critiques against her. It is in this excessive list of critiques, that the main issue lies. It lies in the fact that in 2016, the world still holds its racist attitudes. I don’t intend to speak on behalf of everyone, nor do I discredit the progress we’ve made, however, the fact is, millions of White American celebrities perform on stage, create their music and their videos with their all White cast/crew and NOBODY, thinks otherwise. ONLY when a woman of colour mirrors the same actions of a White woman does controversy suddenly arise.
And yet, my question still remains…
Why?
Here are some of the articles and websites I used to create this post and further understand this controversy. Please be warned that the following video and lyrics feature suggestive language and images. Viewer discretion is advised:
Lyrics: http://genius.com/Beyonce-formation-lyrics
Video: https://vimeo.com/154783794
Article: https://www.rt.com/usa/332936-beyonce-protest-miami-police-union/
Black Panther Web Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Panther_Party
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