Beyonce's visual album, Lemonade, was released a lifetime ago—about two months ago.
As with anything Beyonce, the entire world stood still, while mortals praised the infallible Queen Bee for all her genius. Just kidding. It was a rave though and if you know anything about Beyonce's fan—the Beyhives—you would know you dare not criticize Beyonce. So when I saw this article I was taken aback by his effrontery. He accused the Queen Bee of destroying your daughters. Gasp. How dare he? I read the entire article and then shared on Facebook, asking for my friends' opinions on his article and on the visual album itself. I warned them though, that they were free to message me in private so they don't get stung by the jobless bees lurking around the internet and waiting to strike whoever attacks their goddess.
"The article is being unnecessarily critical of her songs.... The whole feminist movement is about a world where women are free and treated equally... It's not about proclaiming a best way for females... If you want to be a housewife be a housewife but don't let society construct one best way or ideal for you because you are female..."
One friend said.
"I agree with the article 60% the rest is grasping at straws and pure beef. To the following extent I agree; I don't think at the level she's reached she needs to keep booty shaking dropping it like it's hot and porn star dressing, her sex sells so imma exploit it campaign is so transparent, and some of her lyrics leaves much to be desired. However, she does have a huge talent, she has moves and she is gorgeous; and for this yes and more she is idolized, but so are a whole bunch of other people. It's like Chimamanda said she may be good or she may be bad the point is she's popular and through her more ears and eyes are reached so if she's lending her brand or talking (sometimes) about issues that matter like race or feminism then the awareness level of those topics have increased and that's alright."
Another said.
"Just read it.
I didn't listen to the album and I wouldn't be listening to it, so I can't comment on the content. However, based on this article, if what the writer said about the lyrics is true, then I agree with him.
Even before this album, there's no way I could agree that Beyoncé is a good role model for anyone as I don't see anything Christ-like in her.
By the way, I don't think she's fast becoming a god. I think she's already a god to many."
Yet another said.
I actually kinda agree with all of them, and even think they all have cogent points for that matter. But here's what I said in response.
"Hahaha. Thanks guys for sharing your opinion. I'm not comfortable with the fact that a white male is sitting in the comforts of his couch (or wherever) suggesting that the voice of a black WOMAN be subdued. But I gotta say I am about 80% with him on this. Beyonce seems to me to be a brand. But like you, I don't care that she is a brand or a 'carefully constructed and marketed product', I care that race, equality are subjects that need to be talked about. But Beyonce's Lemonade for all it's "genius" is not evoking the response I'd like to see. Half the people who watched are only concerned about her cliche husband, who cheated on her. I struggled with whether to watch the famous Lemonade: on the one hand, I try to be up to date with pop culture, on the other hand I did not want to waste my time watching what a cliche her husband has become. That's even if he was the one she sang about. I don't see what is empowering about the narrative that a woman 'wearing her heart on her sleeve' is the absolute measure of strength or resilience. I'm also disgusted that Beyonce would portray suicide as a response to heartbreak from a stupid boy (as I have heard she did in Lemonade). Centuries after centuries, women have made the ultimate sacrifice for men, and then turning around to break down when these men fail to appreciate the sacrifices. I worry this rhetoric un-does the one where we say you're worth it by yourself, the man does not complete you. Especially to young girls. It IS and WILL remain in the hands everyone to choose their partners as they see fit. I don't like that we blame an entire group of race, gender, tribe, culture because one of us unfortunately dealt with an unfaithful one, a la black men 'ain't shit' or 'yoruba demon'."
Then I continued with,
"Yeah Beyonce's idea was unique or maybe even 'genius', but I disagree it's a masterpiece or 'epic'. I LOVE her work ethic, but I don't like how she would manipulate just about anyone and anything for her brand/purse. Look we don't even know that Jayz cheated for sure (okay yeah he did lol). And she can even wear what she likes in her videos. That's cool. But the things I read that she said in Lemonade, erm no. Should I want to look to a woman outside my family for empowerment, I'd look at Rhimes, Adichie, Curry (Ayeesha), or maybe even the market woman in Oshodi fighting tooth and nail to bring home the bacon for her family. But not Beyonce. Not for me. It's not that the women I mentioned don't make mistakes, it's that I prefer how they tell their truths; I prefer how they preach their 'gospel. Oh and she needs to tame her Beyhives before they commit murder. I agree with the writer, Beyonce is fast becoming a god, which is the most irritating aspect."
And that's it!
I gotta add though, and not that Beyonce cares what I think—or knows that I exist; but I don't dislike her or anything like that. I think I just don't really get her.
So, over to y'all. What do you think?
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