Almost the entire world is familiar with pop culture and music phenomenon Beyoncé. Her name alone makes one of think of over-the-top performances, a powerhouse presence, and, of course, feminism and representation through the roof. At least, this is what Professor Omise’eke Natasha Tinsley from the University of Texas wants us to think.
Image Via The Daily Texan
Tinsley recently authored Beyoncé in Formation: Remixing Black Feminism, digging deep to draw an analysis and find symbolism within the singer’s groundbreaking and award-winning album. There’s a variety of lenses to look through when it comes to cultural ties to black women, especially their sexuality and gender in today’s day and age. Songs from the album like “Daddy Lessons”, “Formation”, and “Don’t Hurt Yourself” build the foundation for Tinsley’s book, as do Beyoncé’s own life experiences and the activists and artists who she says shaped her massive career.
Every year, lines of black women and queers approach me on the first day to express excitement that they’re in a class that takes Beyoncé seriously– that someone is reflecting back that the lyrics they sing, the songs they dance to, their shirts that proclaim ‘I Slay’ just might be the meaningful sources of empowerment they always felt them to be… Greeting this receiving line of feminist Beyoncé fans, I see clearly: I’m one of thousands of black people living in the South looking to Beyoncé as a gilded mirror, an artist with the capacity to bounce light off our visions for next-millennium feminism… This small offering is made in the hope that what starts in our black woman-loving, lemonade-making, hater-twirling Texas can change the world.
Image Via Entertainment Weekly
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