“I slay, okay”
I often don’t have much to say about some things however, yesterday my twitter feed erupted with tweets about pop/r&b sensation Beyonce’s new and unexpected song and music video “Formation.” Now despite the normal and extreme vulgarity (I get it sex sells), the message of the song was powerful to say the least.
People are really obsessed with Beyonce, seriously. However, Beyonce has one of the most powerful voices in our generation. Whenever she has something to say people stop and drop everything to listen and respond. And its these voices that I look to as young woman looking to make an impact in the world.
But back to “Formation.” The lyrics recognize her family’s history and honor the culture from which she was birthed. As we celebrate Black History Month Beyonce sends out a reminder that every black woman was fearfully and wonderfully made. No matter where you come from, how you look, or what kind of “negro nose,” you have where you come from doesn’t where you will end up or how far you can go. And furthermore, as a people we must embrace everything that defines us a people, hot sauce in the bag and all. Regardless of what mainstream media and pop culture would have us to believe everything about us was fashioned intentionally.
My daddy Alabama, Momma Louisiana You mix that negro with that Creole make a Texas bamma I like my baby hair, with baby hair and afros I like my negro nose with Jackson Five nostrils Earned all this money but they never take the country out me I got a hot sauce in my bag, swag
Her purpose is clear; be empowered, be strong, and be unashamed. Every black is beautiful and #blackgirlmagic is real. As the different shades of melanin get in “formation,” at the end of the video and voices in the church rejoice the message of unity is resounding and the power of numbers is magnified. Beyonce and her formation is a powerful frontline defense against the war on self-hate, rejection, and feeling less than human. The setting is no coincidence. New Orleans, Louisiana neglect after hurricane Katrina in 2005 was clear indication of the value of black lives in the United States. The lack of urgency mirrors the same disregard for which the #BlackLivesMatter movement is fighting against.
Not to mention the very clear message to the police as we see a reversal of roles; the police with their hands up and a young black boy standing solely before their in the offensive.
The Beyhive is real and alive and well. Although I may not condone everything she does or says, I am all for women’s empowerment. #BlackLivesMatter isn’t just a hashtag, it’s a constant reminder to a world that seems to keep forgetting how powerful we are as a group of people united for one cause; equality is a constitutional right promised to every man and its not subject to skin color. As a culture until we recognize the humanity of every man and embrace rather than tolerate each other, Beyonce will just have to keep slaying, okay, okay, slay.
MY Directives: Slay on Kings and Queens, okay?
Just because she’s the cutest
#Inspiration #blogging #popculture #black #reality #blacklivesmatter #selfimprovement #BlogSaturday