Mainstream Media Stereotypes

Beyoncé Knowles’s Lemonade video album brings the words of Beyoncé into a visual media and shows the viewer a deeper meaning behind the album. After this video came out many articles came forward analyzing Lemonade. One article, in particular, that was intriguing is Bell Hooks “Moving Beyond Pain.” Hooks starts her article saying that the Lemonade video was created as a money-making, business strategy, but as the text continues the reader can conclude that “Moving Beyond Pain” is actually about African American women, and women in general, standing up for themselves.

African American music artists tend to have to use their work to voice some of the struggles their heritage has faced in the past. Artists like Beyoncé and J. Cole have been known to release songs that evoke much emotion. Beyoncé in particular released a highly controversial music video for her song “Formation” the day before she was set to perform at the Super Bowl 50. "Formation" is a bold, five-minute video that displays a glimpse of some important events in African American history, but also consists of elements of Beyoncé’s personal life. Beyoncé uses controversial lyrics to verbally represent who she is and visual imagery to illustrate a higher social message.

Over the past couple of decades the usage of offensive stereotypes have played a big role in popular films, TV shows, music videos, and comedy routines today. In fact one can only argue that these offensive stereotypes have increased considerably and will only continue to grow. There are many reasons as to why these stereotypes have only increased and have led to the creators of these films making millions and millions of dollars. The main reason behind this is making fun of race, color, poverty, and other cultures and using straightforward offensive words to do so is humorous to a large part of the US population. Although most of us would feel insulted if these

It is a perfect culminating moment for how we make, distribute, and consume popular music.Examination of how Black cultural values and artistic traditions across the African diaspora inform Beyoncé’s artistic work.Articles on Beyoncé and her work might pursue the following, the role of intersectional feminism, especially Black feminism, in evaluating Beyoncé’s musical, audiovisual, and cultural work. The relation of late capitalism and neoliberalism to the reception and mediation of Beyoncé’s public persona. Theoretically informed thick descriptions of Beyoncé’s music recordings, videos, attached to the spectacle of the female body in pop

There are many artists that may contribute to the history that has lead to the development of the present day. Each different artist shows their gratitude and appreciation for the history that has lived on for many years by the style of music. For example, Beyonce’s album Lemonade illustrates the different struggles that black women had to face throughout their lifetime. However, when Beyonce’s husband Jay Z cheated on her, the album got much more personal than anybody else would think. Although, there are many different reasons for the creation of her album and what she is trying to say, many people still disagree with Beyonce’s album and argues that she is using the black feminist empowerment to make money of her album.

Women’s rights and racism have been two of the most controversial issues in the world. With all of the corruption occurring in the world, this should not be a main worry. Beyonce Knowles Carter recently released her sixth studio visual-album; this album, “Lemonade”, is her most emotional work yet. With this album, Beyonce has cemented her status as an artist who must be taken seriously. She has the influence to spark controversy across the nation and establish new trends. Beyonce’s newest album fought strongly for African American women’s rights. Some viewers felt as if this visual album was offensive to people of other ethnic backgrounds or genders.

Zandria Robinson’s article for Rolling Stone was amazing, articulate, and highly controversial. I appreciate Robinson’s attention to the details of the underlying facets of Beyonce’s work, and how they connect to black women all over the world. Robinson explores the idea that Beyonce uncovers the collective struggles of life that many black women hide. In my experience at Spelman, especially true is Robinson’s idea that, “part of Black women’s magic, born out of necessity, has been the ability to dissemble.”

In the video, there is a clip where Beyonce and her dancers are inside of the plantation house and all of the women wore white and had big lace umbrellas, or when she was in the old school car with the tinted windows and her long golden weave braids hanging out or when they show Blue Ivy with her curly tresses. Her declaration to the world at that moment is despite her music and despite her millions and mainstream platform, she is still, more than ever a southern black woman. She wants the world to see she is still grounded and still deeply connected to her roots, paying attention to the world around her and still from Texas. She wants the world to see even though she is a mogul and headlines the biggest and the best events in the world, she is a human who has opinions and is not obligated to ignore them to please others. “Formation” is not about police bashing or how country she wants us to see she is, but it is about shedding light onto the culture of African Americans in today's society. Beyonce though music over time has competed and fallen into many categories and genres of music, but music has put her on a pedestal to where there was almost a disconnect from her less wealthy southern roots. People start to forget she is Southern and is of African American descent because she often does not address social and political issues involving blacks on her mainstream platform until Super bowl 50. Beyonce is

For persuasion one has to convince the audience that a certain point of view is correct when put against others. Politicians, leaders, and other individuals of power use the media to influence the viewers. A rather powerful tool, if used the right way, it can gather thousands upon thousands of followers. The media’s role in political affair is very crucial: it can make or break the candidate. Certain television networks as well as other news websites on the internet give individuals the platform to express specific viewpoints. Media plays an important and powerful role in America. Millions of Americans view the news and form opinions based upon what they hear, see, or read in the media. The media should present their news in an unbiased way

In the performance, she wore a black and gold outfit that showed tribute to the king of pop Michael Jackson, she also had her backup dancers dressed in all black with afros' to represent the Black Panthers. If that wasn’t enough to get the crowds attention towards the end of the song the dancers proceeded to make an “X” which was dedicated to Malcom X. With this in mind, because she is so well known and has many adoring fans people had no choice but to listen to her. From speaking about having “watermelon” and having many other sexual things to speaking about empowerment this was a huge step for Beyoncé. Many expected her to receive cheering and love from all over, but that was far from what she actually received. There was so much animosity towards Beyoncé that even the police refused to bodyguard any of her performances. Apparently other races, specifically Caucasians the song was demeaning and they felt “targeted” because she only spoke about black people. Because people were so “hurt” about what she had to say they attacked her on social media ranging from Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram but this was surely an opportunity for News media to take action. The crowd’s main concern were the background dancers who were used to symbolize the Black

Lemonade: A Postfeminism Anthem Beyoncé’s film Lemonade has been acclaimed by critics as a postfeminist work of art. Her use of sexual self-subjectification, inclusion of women of color, and politically charged lyrics frame the album and accompanying film against the white male hegemony seen throughout media today. Lemonade resists racist and sexist ideologies in a style unlike any other, creating a unique and powerful narrative that has typically marginalized groups ready to kick ass and take names. Through a number of formats, Beyoncé proves herself to be a voice for those often silenced, and the result is a feminist work impossible to ignore.

The highest paid black woman of all time literally had to remind people that she is just that. In theory, this feels to be done strategically so. One first has to feel comfortable enough to deal with all of that backlash for releasing something so culturally rich. Like their mother says in “Interlude: Tina Taught Me”, which is on Solange’s album “A Seat At The Table”, white people tend to view pro black as anti-white when it really isn’t, it's just pro black. People went from giving Beyoncé the utmost praise, to refusing to police her concerts. Regardless of who doesn't agree with the message she is trying to send, Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter is an Icon. Her influence is one that cannot easily be swept under the rug, and that is why her

Bell Hooks’ criticism of Beyonce’s Lemonade focuses on the album’s reiteration of the notion that the “black woman is always a victim.” The track “Hold Up” on the album along with its music video initially provide a superficial context in which “the black woman” is both empowered and strong—two qualities that go strongly against that of what a victim possesses.

In various occasions, critics have called out Beyoncé’s lack of female empowerment through her clothes and actions. Critics have questioned B’s identification as a feminist due to her sexual approach in the media through her appearance and dependence on tour names. “Turns out booty shaking and stamping your husband’s last name on a product of your own creativity make a lot of folks question your feminist values” (Harris 2). Her seductive dancing, exotic pictures, and love for her husband have made people rethink of Beyoncé’s feminist aspects. As a matter of fact, Beyoncé posed for GQ’s February 2014 issue in various photos wearing minimal clothing, which required many people into questioning her feminist attributes. Her cropped shirt, which showed under boob, and her short shorts did not stop people from directing their attention into this feminist pop queen. As a third wave feminist, a woman’s body is not to be put in display for the attraction of others. In Beyoncé’s case, it seems as if she went against this belief by posing for a well known magazine in few clothing items. Beyoncé later explains that it is her body, and her actions do not define the level of maturity or the level of musical talent she holds. She explains how dramatic and nearly impossible social media has made her actions to become by constantly being judged. Not only is Beyoncé criticised for her sexulization body images, but for her tour being named after her husband’s last name. For someone who wished

he United States has claimed for years to be a melting pot, where race or various preferences do not define our role in society. Most everyday people do not even realize or notice the amount of stereotyping that occurs in mass media. It is important to understand the different types of discrimination marginalized groups face. Stereotypes can affect everyone, whether it is based on their race, gender, or sexual preference. Media makers could easily find ways to not discriminate against people, but perhaps this would make that specific media outlet less popularly attended to.