Beyoncé Feminism
On December 13, 2013 Beyoncé - who was named by the Time magazine as the most influential person of the year 2014 - unexpectedly released a self-titled visual album that went viral on the Internet, that is, it debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, and sold 828,773 electronic copies in three days becoming the fastest-selling album in iTunes Store history. After the release of the album the artist posted coupe of videos where she was walking her fans through her songs and music videos in the album explaining what was intention and the idea behind each song. In one of those videos she speaks about how she was looking for some videos on feminism on YouTube, and when she saw a TEDx video from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie talking about feminism, Beyoncé decided to use it for her new single – Flawless - as in her opinion the music and the Adichie’s video suited very well with each other. By the end of the explanatory video she talks about ‘imperfection’ and embracing one’s imperfections, which she links to her another single Pretty Hurts. This song features the issues of sexual objectification of female bodies and the culture of perfection where women are valued only for their beauty. In another explanatory video she talks about owning her sexuality and body, especially after her pregnancy. As she explains it was her joy and her confidence that allowed her to show her body to the public. In the video she mentions that she is very well aware of the fact that she is showing her body, and that she is doing this partly for other women as well to empower them, and give them an example that you can own your body and your sexuality, even after body goes into a lot of transformations during pregnancy.
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...framework given to us, feminists, we do have to embrace the positive processes that are sometimes happening within this framework as well. When feminism becomes an accessory it does lose its radical political potential but it also creates a new potential that more and more people will become interested in feminism and possibly not only marketable and sexy ideas spread, but also some important issues and topics will be brought up in public awareness. There is no one way, or two ways, to be a feminist, but rather multiple ways. Feminists, rather than being elitist that these celebrities are dull to understand feminism properly, should embrace all the potential that Beyoncé or any other celebrities might do for feminist values, otherwise the movement and its values might become ever more alienated from the society and this is not going to do any better job for women.
In 2013, the self-titled visual album BEYONCÉ sold almost eight hundred thirty thousand digitally in the first three days, while her sixth number one and second visual album, Lemonade, only sold four hundred ninety thousand digitally in the first week. Although Beyoncé’s second visual album wasn’t numerically successful, both show a vulnerable, an artistic, and a controversial side of Beyoncé. Both albums have surprising visuals and stunning lyrical content with either an obvious meaning or a meaning we have yet to figure out, such as the famous line, “You better call Becky with the good hair.” (Beyoncé, “Sorry”). BEYONCÉ and Lemonade show that Beyoncé tries to better herself as an artist and make herself more vulnerable.
In this case women are stuck where in no matter how they act or how they dress, they end up put into a label they do not necessarily belong in. The main goal of feminism is to create equality for women and fight against the labels put on them. Though throughout time feminism itself has been given a negative label. In today 's society women do not want to be referred to as feminists from fear of being labeled as a bitter man hating woman. This is definitely amplified in media today. Roxane Gay, author of Bad Feminist, brings up the idea of the essential feminist and where it suggests,” anger, humorlessness, militancy, unwavering principles, and a prescribed set of rules for how to be a proper feminist woman” (169). This fear of being labeled a feminist not only comes from fear of being thought of as angry or humorless, but from being attacked for not being the “proper feminist woman”.
Lastly, the feminism movement should be embraced. Women have come a long way from not being allowed to vote or not being able to have the same jobs as men. Women have been treated second class to men and even though a lot has changed, there are still some areas where there are shortcomings. This movement is here to help, not only women but humanity (Cavanaugh, 2014).
The video promotes a realistic portrayal of women while undermining negative societal expectations put to those women. Furthermore, the message behind it, one calling people to accept themselves and to not feel the need to strive towards unreachable goals set by the media, can be applied to the lives of not only women but men as well. While the song was obviously meant for women, it is still holds the important message for people of any gender, age, or race to understand that being true to and learning to accept one’s self can only lead to positive
Specifically, she uses ethos to further her credibility as a feminist. Beyonce continually repeats the word “flawless”. By itself “flawless” doesn’t say a lot, but add in, “I woke up like this”, which is also repetitive, she is metaphorically stating that women are perfect the way they are. Women are flawless; they shouldn’t be expected to get up and do all this primping for a man. If a woman wears makeup, she is wearing it for herself, not for a man. Beyonce also establishes her credibility with using an excerpt for Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s “We Should All be Feminists” speech. Adichie is a well-known, established Nigerian feminist author. The argument could be made that for Beyonce “Flawless” is just a song, another source of income. If that were the case, would Beyonce have jumped through the multiple, horrendous hoops in the publishing world just to include Adichie in a song that was nothing more than a cradle of wealth to Beyonce? Yes, she could have, but it isn’t likely. Adichie is eminent in the feminism world. She wouldn’t give a part of herself to someone who was just looking for a quick profit. Beyonce is using “Flawless” to tell the world she is a feminist, and she will stand behind other feminists. She uses Adichie to enhance her credibility and to make her song
In today’s world, celebrities are often misunderstood, especially singer/songwriter Robin Rihanna Fenty, referred to as Rihanna. Rihanna’s sexual behaviors in her videos have been talked about in negative ways for some time now, but what [eople do not understand is that it is all for fame. Celebrities will do anything to keep their career going strong. If one really took the time out to take a deep look at Rihanna, they will notice how humble she really is. After going through the abusive relationship with Chris Brown, Rihanna has struggled with gaining that strong confidence with who she is. Her critics believe that she is still trying to discover herself and figure out who she really is as a person. Rihanna is often given two choices, to do what she is being asked to do, or throw her career out the window. She either gives the crowd the sexual acts they want or let her career die down. In the song “S&M,” Rihanna was really exposing herself to the crowd, as well as “Good Girl, Gone Bad.” She is basically telling the crowd that this is the person she is, but is it really? For my original piece I will be creating a journal, expressing the feelings Rihanna felt as she overcomes her struggles. Rihanna’s sexual behaviors in her videos are really all for fame and therefore, are easily misunderstood.
It has been played in many other countries and is listed in many major hit charts in those countries. It became one of her best-selling singles. Beyoncé has been singing about women’s independence since she was in the hit group “Destiny’s Child”. Many of her songs support women’s lifestyle and keep cheering up girls with her powerful and expressive vocals (Armstrong). In addition to her songs and lyrics, her beautiful appearance fascinates many female audiences and influences from teenagers to grown-ups as if she was a role model. A negative side of the video is that the video gives the impression that men are always to be blamed and women are always “victims” of the relationships, which is not
Largely throughout the history of the United States of America, women have been intimately oppressed by their spouses in collusion with a patriarchal society. The Realist literary period saw no exception to this oppression of women. The Realist period, which lasted approximately from 1865-1910, involved many injustices on women, women’s rights, and equality. Males were supreme to females throughout this period, and women were denied many basic freedoms, including the right to vote. Women were regarded as frail, unequal, and inferior. However, the marginalization of women in this period did not go without protest. Women began to have an active voice on issues pertaining to their own rights as the end of the Realist period neared. Headways into women’s rights were made in this period around the turn of the century. “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gillman chronicles the oppression and deteriorating sanity of Jane, who is being confined in a room by her physician and husband. This story is critical in telling of the oppression and subordination of women to their husbands throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin depicts a frail woman, who dies after a fright from her husband, who she believed was dead. The Awakening by Kate Chopin details the life of Edna Pontellier, who seeks individualism and life away from the control of men. Edna Pontellier assists in representing the audible and vociferous women’s rights movement that arose towards the end of the 19th century. American women in the Realist literary period encountered three elements that defined their societal status: oppression, inequality, and activism.
The situation of women in our society has always been a source of debate. The term feminism is required at the end of the 19th century to serve the collective aspiration of women to gender equality in a society hitherto subject to the rule of man. Historically, there are prejudices and acts about women that led to discrimination of these. In legal terms, as in the world of work and family, it is in the second half of the twentieth century that is affirmed and implemented new rights for women. From then on, it is not only in term of legal equality, but also equality of opportunity that raises itself the question of relations between men and women. I will be comparing and contrasting “You Leave Them” written by Mona Simpson with the short story composed by Kate Chopin, “The Story of an Hour.” Throughout these stories, both authors clearly express a common theme of feminism. By focusing my essay on the theme of feminism, I will first analyze the authors’ past experience and then associate how it contributes in both of their short stories. I will finish my essay by describing how authors respond to the absence of men’s vision.
For many years, a political, culture, or economic movement aimed at establishing equal rights and legal protection for women. Feminism involves political and physiological theories concerned with issues of gender difference. Feminism seeks to achieve equality and social rights for women in all key areas, which includes education, personal economic, employment, and cultural sphere of human endeavors. Women's rights is an issue that not many people cover, but affects every woman's lives. There are both pros and cons to this issue. Men, social media, and people’s perspectives are all relating to this issue.
The notion of difference among the sexes has been studied extensively in terms of cognition and brain activity. An MRI can back these claims, showing male and female brains 'lighting up' in different locations based upon different stimuli. Anyone with a close relationship to a child can attest to the fact that they were born with certain traits. Perhaps their nephew is very shy, while their niece has never met a stranger. In other words, some difference among individuals is innate, fundamental. This notion has been applied to studies in the animal world. Susan Allport, author of A Natural History of Parenting,, notes that "Males provide direct childcare in less than 5 percent of mammalian species, but in over 90 percent of bird species both male and female tend to their young." While researchers have focused on other species, they have been hesitant to apply this sort of lens to human families, largely because this sort of biological inherency does not directly align with the push for equality and equal rights that have been so important in recent history in the United States. Fundamentally, to state that biology creates difference in humans and that this sort of difference has the ability to manifest itself in divergent capabilities carries political and social risk for minority and oppressed groups.
A feminist is someone who believes that women should have the same opportunities as men. Some individuals dislike the fact of being named a feminist. While many others on the hand are proud to call themselves a feminist. An upcoming artist whose very popular in the music industry, and so happens to be a strong feminist advocate is known by the stage name Grimes. In all of Grimes’s appearances, performances, and music videos, she demonstrates her knowledge of, and her refusal to participate in, self-objectification and being sexualized. In some of her famous song Grimes reverses the male gaze, creating a situation in which men are being watched and masculinity is being deconstructed. The surprising fact of the term feminist is that men can
“The conduct and manners of women, in fact, evidently prove that their minds are not in a healthy state; for, like the flowers which are planted in too rich a soil, strength and usefulness are sacrificed to beauty; and the flaunting leaves, after having pleased a fastidious eye, fade, disregarded on the stalk, long before the season when they ought to have arrived at maturity” (Wollstonecraft 7). This is a view in which several feminists abide with and can relate to; the idea that women have the wrong intentions and goals for their lives, that they are treated like children and are predestined to act like children, instead of adults. Although the Vindication of the Rights of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft was written in 1972, this perception of woman still exists all around the world and is a major topic of debate among feminists. Several aspects of life in modern western society degrade and belittle woman, and although equality is the law in countries such as Canada and the United States of America, TV shows, movies and music tell different. Lana Del Rey is a popular female artist in North America and Europe, she recently released a new album called Born to Die. This album is very controversial among Radical feminists because many aspects of it, such as the lyrics contribute to the belittlement of women.
Annie Lennox said, “We all fight over what the label ‘feminism’ means but for me it’s about empowerment. It’s not about being more powerful than men – it’s about having equal rights with protection, support, justice. It’s about very basic things.” This quote summarizes the true meaning of feminism. It also addresses the goals of feminism; not to be more powerful than men, but to be equals. According to Merriam Webster dictionary, feminism is “the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.” However, feminism is more than equality between genders. Feminism is not about hating men, traditional family structures or typical gender tastes. Feminism is about independence and acceptance for every one of every gender and sexuality