Is Beyonce A Feminist?: Why the Questioning of Beyonce's Brand of Feminism is Important
In 2013 Beyonce released her self-titled album to critical acclaim - and on the track "****Flawlwss" she states her political views on feminism, including a snippet of Chimamanda Adichi's speech "We Should all Be Feminists" to make her claim.
Beyonce's music in the past has usually contained some form of feminist rhetoric or woman empowerment in her lyrics, from the songs "Independent Woman" and "Survivor" during her time in Destiny's Child, to "Single Ladies" and "Irreplaceable" as a solo artist. It is interesting that the people questioning her feminism are often women who claim to be feminists as well.
Although many women argue that the reason Beyonce is subjugated to questioning is because of her status as a sex symbol in the music industry, her feminist beliefs are founded in the ideas that women can own their sexuality and embrace it in any way that is pleasing to them. This form of feminism is known as "Sex-positive".
The questioning of Beyonce's status as a feminist, is a reflection of how black feminists are often left out of conversations concerning women's issues because their values may not always match those of the mainstream. Black women are often hyper-sexualized in the media and Beyonce's role as a sex-positive entertainer may seem to be a contradiction to the views of mainstream feminism, but may represent the way black women can reclaim and own their sexuality.
Care Free Black Girl
Eartha Kitt and Henry Scott in a Scene from the Film Anna Lucasta (1959)
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