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Research about Beyonce and Feminism

Articles

Is Beyonce a feminist? Turns out the answer is much more complex than a simple yes or no.

The Guardian "Sorry Beyoncé, Rosie the Riveter is no feminist icon. Here's why"

Beyonce is doing this as a feminism photo (she didn’t post any words) and many sites are jumping on how awesome this photo was and what it meant (like E!). There’s a deeper problem though, Rosie the Riveter is not a good feminist icon. She is not a good representation of the ideal feminist woman working today. This article says that this is misrepresenting all working women, especially because a majority of poverty is working class women- and they don’t look like Rosie looks.

NPR's Here and Now "A Feminist Weighs In On Debate Over Beyoncé"

“Feminist or sex object” This was the main argument of the piece and might become my Inquiry Question (“Is Beyonce a feminist or a sex object and why does it matter?”) This debate brings up the important point that Beyonce is the only one who can label herself a feminist or not. It is brought up that Beyonce might be practicing a “different African-American version of feminism which a woman might want to use her body as a tool” but only her using it, nobody else. It is the first time I’ve seen race brought into this discussion. They compare her to Madona because they both use their bodies but are also known to be “feminists,” the only difference being race. Brings up the idea the Beyonce is reclaiming the “Controlling Jezebel Image” that was used against black women and using it for her instead of against her. Beyonce is acting like “I'm presenting my sex and sexuality to you, but that does not give you complete access to me.” Beyonce promotes women’s empowerment but she looks like a sex object, so it’s confusing to people. What you are does not define who you are. Beyonce is somewhat new to the feminism field, so to look to her for all your information about feminism would be “irresponsible.” Led me to look for Bell Hooks and Kevin Powell argument because she is a well known black feminist and her argument tore Beyonce down, so I need to look into that.

Shrivner Report “Gender Equality is a Myth”

This is an article Beyonce wrote for The Shrivner Report January, 2014. It is brief and states women are not equal yet and men and women need to strive to change that. She has some strong statistics that support the inequality in the work force but she does not mention anything about sexuality or dress or anything like that. She does, however, propose a solution: “We have to teach our boys the rules of equality and respect, so that as they grow up, gender equality becomes a natural way of life. And we have to teach our girls that they can reach as high as humanly possible.” I see this article as the words Beyonce lectures about how feminism is something to strive for, but she leaves out important details about herself. At first glace, written by Beyonce (or any man or woman) or not, you would absolutely believe the writer of this article is a feminist because it discusses equality. But does it line up with her hyper-sexualized outfits or some of her lyrics that say women are better than men?

Huffington Post "Straw-Man Feminism: What Beyoncé and Miley Have in Common"

This article compares Beyonce to other feminist pop-music stars like Katy Perry, Lily Allen, Lorde, and most importantly Miley Cyrus. It says that their main argument is that “women have the right to be sexy.” It brings up another problem that the stars don’t discuss, an even bigger issue in feminism, “The problem is not, as Miley and Beyoncé believe, that a woman cannot be sexy and successful. It is that she must be sexual in order to even be seen.”

CNN "Beyonce: Gender equality is a myth"

This article is a response to Beyonce’s Shrivner article written for CNN. It holds praise to Beyonce being a feminist in a number of different accounts (Flawless, Shrivner Report, British Vogue, Destiny’s Child lyrics). It points out one action that would be against feminism and that was “Bills, Bills, Bills” the 1999 Destiny’s Child hit. Overall, it supports Beyonce being pro-feminist.

Powder Room "An Incomplete (Play)List And Critical Analysis of Beyoncé's Feminist Evolution And Praxis Through Music: Part One"

This article points out the arguments against Beyonce’s feminism in a sort of mocking way “Oversexualized! Too much focus on her marriage!” I do have to note that this blogger might be slightly biased because they already are very pro-Beyonce’s feminism, they even call her “Beyonce, Ruler of the Universe.” This article is a timeline through her music where you can see Beyonce’s feminist evolution. Destiny’s Child era was more “girl power” with songs like Bills, Bills, Bills, Independent Women, and Girl. Then it discusses a couple more songs where she’s “pretty feminist” or “possibly feminist.” This is an important article because it shows how a fan might think. The writer has a set belief on Beyonce and is looking for only that belief in her songs.

British Vogue "May 2013 Vogue: Mrs Carter Uncut"

This is the article so many have referenced where Beyonce “hesitates to call herself a feminist.” It starts off with talking about her power and her control. It has some really important quotes. When talking about her outfits, she claims feminism is the reason she can wear those outfits. When asked outright if she is a feminist she kind-of sweeps the question and says that the word can be very extreme, but then goes on to promote equality. It sounds like when Beyonce hears the word “feminist” she hears it like so many people do- outrageous and extreme. The meaning of feminism is equality for men and women, as simple as that. But radical feminists have tainted the word and made it into what some people consider a “dirty word” even if they believe in equality. I can see that Beyonce might be uncomfortable with the word because of this, but she is saying that she believes in equality.

Radio Shows

NPR's "Feminists Everywhere React To Beyonce's Latest"

This is a much shorter NPR piece about Beyonce. Filmmaker Tanya Steele was excited to see all of it because others were tweeting #BlackFeminist and her coworkers were calling it “Beyonce’s Feminist Manifesto” but was almost disgusted saying she was in “pornographic poses” and other things of the sort. She does not think it’s feminist in any sort. It was a really good 5 minute piece because it was literally the conversation- it had people on both sides and their reactions and how it was or wasn’t feminist for Beyonce to be so “sexy.” Brings up the fact that more people will probably listen to Beyonce then will take a feminism or gender studies class. Steele brings up the good point that some people are just now coming to the conversation and will see feminism and Beyonce in a much different light than those who have studied feminism’s history.

Library Sources

This is one of my big “library sources” so I have not read it completely in depth (yet) but from the parts I read and a general skimming I thought it was an interesting article. It’s more about Lady Gaga, but there is a lot of talk about Beyonce. The two of them collaborated on a couple songs and it focused on “Video Phone” and “Telephone”. It says the character Beyonce plays is unthinkable to a man because she was so dominant. It compares Gaga (self-invention) to Beyonce’s feminism operating within conditions of constraint.

Music Videos

Flawless

(Note: The wideo was removed and I cannot find another one, sorry)

This was the first time I saw this video and it’s interesting. It seems to be focusing more on her looks and her tough-ness. She is encouraging women to feel comfortable and sexy (in her words) but I don’t see that as much in the video because she is wearing skimpy clothes and is decked out in hair and makeup. The sample of the TED talk is important- those words are very feminist and promote equality. I can see how she is trying to get women to feel good about themselves and not to just be a “little wife” but she honestly does not say much in the video besides “____ flawless” and “I woke up like this.”

Run the World (Girls)

I might be biased because I already have seen this music video and there’s something about it that I love it. It is definitely a women/girl anthem. But thinking of it as a feminist video would be wrong. It promotes women > men. Also she’s extremely hyper-sexual in the video. I think the song is more about women being powerful too, not more powerful, but I can see where it can be misinterpreted. As a girl, it is empowering, and it’s fun to sing/dance to.

If I Were A Boy

This song is all about double standards boys have. It lists off many things that men do that when women do it’s bad. I do think it is an example of her feminism.