I am a feminist and I own no problem using the term, 'feminist'. I am mindful that Beyonce considers herself a feminist as well. I can not contend with her personal definition of who she is as a woman, however, I find free to review her as a brand and an artist; as she offers that up for public review.Beyonce's music is fun and sometimes empowering, but many of her "empowerment anthems" were scripted by MEN (Tricky, Ne-Yo, The Dream, Rodney Jerkins, Rich Craft etc). Also, it is crucial to recognise that her steel and career was constructed by a man, her father, Mathew "The Genius Marketer" Knowles. I can not acknowledge her "movement" without acknowledging that men engineered most of it - even kill to the feminist/pro-woman overtones, wardrobe contributions and choreography (shout out to Frank Gatson jr.). I love some of B's music but I don't get her to be the "brains of the process" so to speak (which is not what feminism is all about). The latest song is GREAT, but the video is boring, uninspired and over done. Ripping the "male army" chief's badge off in the end only reinforces NEGATIVE stereotypes of feminists as ball-busting man bashers while simultaneously reinforcing the struggle of the sexes - not cool! In the past, we have seen Beyonce thrust and spin with and without panties only to take pictures of her vagina and boobs taken time and time again - thats is not sexual liberation (as has been suggested in various blogs), it is only the usual 'pop star antics' (Ex: Britney Spears, Paris Hilton). I am proud to see Beyonce showing the man that chasing your career goals while holding off on a home is achievable. I value her as a married woman for making that dynamic visible - but as an artist, she may be pro-woman, but I would Never name her the new look of feminism. She only does not have enough substance. YET.
No comments:
Post a Comment