4 in stores June 28th, pre-order now on Amazon.com
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Since the late 1800s, feminism has worked to advocate for (certain) women, fighting for equality, access, and diversity. There’s been progress, setbacks, and stagnation, but one thing is clear: most women do not identify with the word “feminist,” even if they share its core ideologies. There’s been a shift in the definition of women’s empowerment and the contemporary agenda for achieving equality. Not only are most women tired of the hardcore oppression and patriarchy rhetoric, but also they’re ready to embrace their bodies and sexuality in public way. Simply put, 20-something-year-old women are ready to showcase the multidimensionality of womanhood: we can be intelligent, independent, powerful, family-oriented, and sexy without having an identity crisis.
Enter Beyonce, one of the most talented, career-driven women that has ever graced the music industry. She’s a multi-platinum selling artist, songwriter, entrepreneur, wife, daughter, sister, and oh…she can also dance like no other. Ignoring all of the previously listed positions that Bey occupies, most people simply deem her a gyrating, sex symbol. And frankly, all of the traditional feminist criticism of her “Who Runs The World (Girls)” video is just another example of the disconnect between intellectual theory and real life.
It is no secret that black women need more diverse representation in the media. Yes, it seems that every pop culture icon, actress, or singer can fall into the “hypersexualized” category. But truthfully, what does Beyonce represent as a whole, as a multidimensional human being? Taking bits and pieces of her is the same as reading a chapter of a book and claiming to know the whole story.
Beyonce’s “Girls” video is an anthem for contemporary women that aren’t afraid of being powerful, driven, smart, and sexy. We can hold our own in the workplace, and later in the evening, pull out our garter belts and work it for our partner.
Essence Editor Demetria Lucas critiques Beyonce’s video, writing:
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“A mind is a terrible thing to waste and so is a perfectly good video that doesn’t match the song. Despite the declarations in the lyrics (and the unrelated hotness of the video), it’s a still a man’s world, and it will always be as long as women think their vaginas are where their power lies.”
But wait a minute.... Lucas’ commentary implies that powerful women cannot bask in their sexuality, femininity, and confidence without jeopardizing their authority. Like Lucas, women pushing the traditional hypersexual critique have been focused on the “male gaze” for far too long.
Have you ever noticed the reaction of most women to Beyonce’s music in a dance club? It’s as if all the men in the room disappear and the women group together, dancing with their heads held high and empowering each other with every hip twist and hand wave. Almost every woman can feel some sort of empowerment from Beyonce’s music and it doesn’t take away from her power the next day when she runs the emergency room at a major hospital or leads an executive board through a complicated marketing plan.
When Beyonce sings about girls running the world while busting African-dance-influenced choreography and swiveling her hips, it should remind all women that it’s okay to run this mother f***er and still appreciate our breasts, move our hips, and showcase our multidimensionality (and sexiness) in a public way.
Beyonce’s video provides one more signal that women need a new movement. Can we finally declare first, second, and third wave feminism as history? Has the fourth wave of feminism finally arrived?
I've been thinking about making a thread like this for a while after reading her youtube comments. It's quite interesting that "Girls" has sparked such conversation. People are taking this pop song very literal.
I've been thinking about making a thread like this for a while after reading her youtube comments. It's quite interesting that "Girls" has sparked such conversation. People are taking this pop song very literal.
Which I love, especially since BECAUSE it's Beyonce they have to find a reason to make it seem in-genuine.
im thinking more michelle obama, hilary clinton and oprah. strong powerful woman in their own right.
Well, Both Michelle Obama and Oprah are supporters of Beyoncé. Note another thing, they're all strong African-American women. It's very empowering to see.
Booty shaking in her videos and marrying a mega-rich rapper. Such a feminist.
You can't take things out of context like that... "Booty shaking" and marrying a "mega-rich rapper" don't make you not a feminist, nor is there only one type of feminism... Beyoncé has been standing up for women since her days in Destiny's Child. Besides, Beyoncé is also "mega-rich," so I doubt she married Jay-Z for the money... Don't be so pressed.
I do think Beyoncé can be considere a feminist but i dont think she's a face of feminism movement. If you look at how she manage her career you can see that she's not the kind of woman who will let a man ride her life. So i will say Yes but not as a represent. By the way Michelle O is not a feminist she's a good role madel for women in general but a Feminist no. Not even Hilary Clinton.
Booty shaking in her videos and marrying a mega-rich rapper. Such a feminist.
Did you not read anything in the post. Why does a woman have to leave her sensuality and sexiness behind to be a feminist? Why can't she embrace ALL qualities of a being a woman. The stereotype of a feminist is so twisted that people think you have to be a ****ing lesbian with short cut hair and wear jeans when that is NOT the case. And what does her marrying a rapper have to do with it?
I do think Beyoncé can be considere a feminist but i dont think she's a face of feminism movement. If you look at how she manage her career you can see that she's not the kind of woman who will let a man ride her life. So i will say Yes but not as a represent. By the way Michelle O is not a feminist she's a good role madel for women in general but a Feminist no. Not even Hilary Clinton.
"I think I am a feminist in a way. It’s not something I consciously decided I was going to be; perhaps it’s because I grew up in a singing group with other women, and that was so helpful to me. It kept me out of so much trouble and out of bad relationships. My friendships with my girls are just so much a part of me that there are things I am never going to do that would upset that bond. I never want to betray that friendship because I love being a woman and I love being a friend to other women...... Beyonce "
"I think I am a feminist in a way. It’s not something I consciously decided I was going to be; perhaps it’s because I grew up in a singing group with other women, and that was so helpful to me. It kept me out of so much trouble and out of bad relationships. My friendships with my girls are just so much a part of me that there are things I am never going to do that would upset that bond. I never want to betray that friendship because I love being a woman and I love being a friend to other women...... Beyonce "
But that's basically what i was saying. I look at her as a feminist in a kind of way. But i dont know if i could think she's the face. Of feminism.
I don't think some people on ATRL are generally clear about what feminism is... It's not necessarily a concrete and prescribed set of rules for behavior...
"the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men."
Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, Hilary, and Oprah have all participated in advocacy for women and their rights. There are many different brands of feminism, and one doesn't need to call themselves a feminist to be reminiscent of one.
No.
Personally I feel that Run The World (Girls) is sexist rather than 'female-empowering' or pro feminism.
If a male artist made a song about guys basically being better than women, it would be slammed.
Eh. This article is really shallow. There's nothing new or convincing about it. It's not even arguing anything. The author offers no real-world examples to refute the idea that being a sexual pop star isn't the same as being a feminist. I'm not sure if it is or it isn't, but I do think the song and video can be summed up with the word power.
I think the basic construct of feminism is getting a little tired and irrelevant, to be honest. There are just so many examples of hugely successful females out there, and no, not all of them are super-sexy objects for men to lust over. In today's world, feminism should mean something else. I don't think it's really found in Beyoncé's song, which is more of a thinly-veiled self-declaration of awesomeness, à la "Diva."
I saw a bit of a YT video that analyzed the song/video and its feminist angle. I can't find it right now... I'll post it later.
