Queen Bey, as her devoted followers have dubbed her, has done it again. With the release of her new album Lemonade, the world is buzzing with questions. Did Jay-Z cheat? When did Beyoncé decide to become a political figure?
Lemonade is the start of a revolution, and with one of the biggest pop stars behind the music, there’s no doubt that some light will be shed on topics that are often dismissed. Along with the infidelity backdrop of the music, there’s a far larger message being examined: the Black Lives Matter Movement.
In her music video for“Formation”, a series of images paint the overall picture of racism and discrimination shown towards the black community. A wall with the graffitied message “Stop Shooting us” flashes on the screen. A young black child stands in front of a line of white police officers with his hands up. A post-Katrina New Orleans is the background of every take.
Subtlety was not the focus here. Beyoncé has taken a hard side on the issue of the Michael Brown case and declared herself as a part of the black movement. Lemonade may be throwing the world for a loop with the aggressive lyrics and women power anthem, but what really sticks out is the fight for equality, as well as recognition. We’re surrounded by the influences of black culture, as we have for years, and yet there is little done to acknowledge and appreciate that fact.
Beyoncé sports a weave, is surrounded by all black female dancers, and puts the focus on black lives in her videos and music. At the end of “Formation”, she lays on top of a police car as it is engulfed in flood water; she drowns with what stood for violence and neglect. She is telling the world her story, and won’t leave the nasty details out. If you want change, you’ve got to do it yourself. It would be hard to find more capable hands then the Queen herself. Long live the Queen.
Featured image via Wikimedia
