The Media And The Platform

In her song “If I Were a Boy,” Beyonce argues that many women are trapped in bad relationships and never take the time to question how they truly desire to be treated. To confirm this, Beyonce is attempting to look at her unhealthy relationship as if she were in her significant others shoes. She makes an effort to develop an understanding of what it is like to be the man in the relationship, and see how he can just passively mistreat a girl. Beyonce later discovers that she would treat others how she would want to be treated because she understands how it is to be hurt by someone. She also finds that most guys do not care whether or not their significant others are suffering because of their actions. Beyonce establishes credibility for her lyrics by using the three appeals: pathos, ethos, and logos. These appeals are utilized to influence her audience, not let a man control their lives, but live there lives the way they want, and find a man that can treat them better than they have been treated in their past. Also, the use of repetition and form are used to establish her points within the song. Lastly, she wants her listeners to visualize how it could be if they were the other person, and question whether or not their outlook would be different.

For example, recently many female actors have come forward in telling the media about Harvey Weinstein and his acts of sexual abuse towards the actresses. And in the many recent awards shows they have been talking about the struggle of women in the industry while the men didn’t say anything. In 2017 women began to march for equal rights and they are marching again in 2018 pointing out that still, nothing has

If you walk down the street and ask several strangers if they know who Beyonce is, chances are that most of those individuals will be able to answer in the affirmative, or with song references. Beyonce is a female, African-American, singer/songwriter who has been utterly successful in living the American Dream. Beyonce’s works including Run the World (Girls), Single Ladies, and If I Were a Boy, all share the common theme of empowering women. In her most recent anthem for womankind, Formation, Beyonce narrows her audience down to solemnly African-American women, yet the music video for Formation branches out to relate to many other peoples. When Formation was first released, it took hold of screens big and small all over the world because the

If you decide to make yourself known, you've found a way to lead. What distinguishes modern feminism from previous waves is individualism. Even if you don't identify with feminism by name, it can still apply to you. It reemphasizes your value as a human being. And people have sharpened our social consciousness by joining the cause of feminism. I would say the catalyst isn't so much a person. But the feminine perspective of what's right leads current efforts. Nonetheless, upholding today's feminism can involve public figures or celebrities. And the strongest candidates are the ones who act as role models for female achievement. Look at Beyoncé and Adele. They have led the way by dominating the Billboard music charts. Or, there's Serena Williams who is the most decorated female athlete in history. Emma Watson and Jennifer Lawrence are recognizable names in Hollywood. And they've worked to break the mold of how films portray women. Although they come from different industries, these women embody success. And regardless of gender, success speaks for

It is hard to imagine someone who does not at least appreciate Beyoncé for what she is, a fierce woman who gives hope and life to not only little girls dreams but also boys and anyone else who is willing listen. She creates an atmosphere where anything is possible and people feed off of that. Countless times I have seen and heard people praising Queen B. This is what brings up the question, “whether the singer is a bona fide feminist or just a pop star cashing in on ‘girl power’”(Weiner). I would say it is the latter. It is great to have a woman such as Beyoncé be a ‘roles model’ for women and girls, young and old. But one must ask what is she tell the youth of today with her music. One might say she is telling females you can be powerful which I support a hundred percent. Another could say she is tell women to get what they want by using their body’s as sex symbols, which ok as well. I just do not think that being sexy is the right thing to teach young girl, to live up to. It is not

Judith Butler talks about how women should break free of this gender identity. She argues that women should be free to choose their own path in life. I think the song "If I Were a Boy" would relate to this article because Beyoncé was reversing the roles in a way. She wanted to show the world how it felt to be a man. Women have the right to follow their own path and not be suppressed by anyone.

Most people don’t get famous overnight and the road to fame is very hard. It is difficult to become well known in show business if you don’t have connections in there. Location is another key issue. In some countries women still don’t have the rights like we’ve achieved here in America. In the U.S. we have so much more freedom than in other countries because most still believe a woman’s place is in the home. In the Yemen country women aren’t allowed to show part of their body besides their eyes which tells you how much their rights are fought for. A good example is Malala who is currently fighting for girls’ rights to have an education. Feminism is steadily increasing around the world which is having a positive effect on how women are perceived as successful

This song, however takes a look at how a boy isn’t at fault in a relationship and that it would be easier to be a boy in a relationship. It relates to how in society we always say a woman is more emotional or that boys shouldn’t cry. I think Conley explains this well when he writes “Gender is one set of stories we tell each other and believe into get by in this world. It’s a collectively defined guidebook that humans use to make distinctions among themselves.” (Conley 279). This relates to the lyrics when Beyonce says “If I were a boy, I think I could understand, How it feels to love a girl, I swear I’d be a better man.” It really shows that because we are one gender we somehow believe we could be better at the other gender from the fact that we know how it feels. However boys experience feelings different than girls do and this can also relate to what Conley wrote which is “Gender is a social construction, but it is so deeply rooted and seemingly natural that it is a major structure organizing our everyday lives- our goals, our desires, and even our bodies.” (Conley 279). Conley takes what is being said in this song about being a better man and changes the way you look at it. I believe this because in society in order to be a man you can’t be emotional, but women are too emotional which is a difference between genders in

When needing an extra confidence boost, Queen Beyonce always seems to pop up on my Pandora station. Her songs provoke me to be a strong, independant woman. I must have listened to If I Were A Boy a million times prior to writing this paper, but never took the time to pick it apart. After sitting down and analyzing the video and lyrics, I feel I have a better understanding of what she was going through. Beyonce feels that as a female she puts effort into her relationship, but her boyfriend just takes her for granted.

The news has a responsibility to provide accurate information to the American people. However, journalists are only human, and it is important to take note of any biases present in their writing. W.L. Bennett is one scholar who addressed this concern, arguing that journalism has four main media biases: personalization, dramatization, fragmentation, and authority-disorder bias (Bennett, 2012). While Bennett voices concerns of adverse consequences, scholars Ozen Bas and Maria Elizabeth Grabe argue that biases like personalization can help people with lower education levels retain information better (Bas & Grabe, 2015). Referencing two news clips and an article, this essay argues that media biases rampant across platforms have good intent to get

Girls and women do not have the same meaning. Patriarchy is shown through the word girls as being portrayed to be a young girl who is not yet grown up. Through Beyonce’s words she is showing that mature and civilized women can't run the world, but young and immature girls can.

Beyoncé is an artist known for her many works dedicated to empowering women and the ballad song “If I were a boy” released in 2008 is no exception. Her music not only empowers women to stand up for their rights but also highlights societal conceptions of gender and sexuality. In fact, Beyoncé has been campaigning for gender equality ever since her first Destiny child’s songs when she sung about unfaithful boys and female independence. By embracing the continuous support, love, and admiration she receives from her fans worldwide, Beyoncé makes a conscious effort to spread positivity in her songs. Beyoncé performs “If I were a Boy” ironically from a female perspective in order to address the subject of gender roles. The song not only stresses

Beyoncé's  "If I Were A Boy"  is a song about gender stereotypes, expectations, and their consequences. The music video for  "If I Were A Boy"  follows Beyoncé's character as a cop who treats her husband coldly; opening the videoshe and her husband say a few words like "honesty," and "commitment," then she wakes up to a fresh breakfast made by her husband, only taking a bite before sauntering off to work with barely a smile. All throughout her work day she acts flirty with her male co-worker; while her husband picks out a gift, she goes out for drinks and ignores his phone calls; when Beyoncé and her husband go out to a party he gives her the gift and for a moment they seem happy, but once they get there she ignores him and dances with her work

How has media influenced public perception of political figures, issues, and institutions? Through agenda setting and framing, media has the power to set the agenda for political discussion by providing public attention to political figures, issues, and institutions. In addition, the media can frame political agendas by influencing public perception and interpretation. (Ginsberg, Lowi & Weir, 1999)

When the White House felt a retraction was not enough because so much harm had already been done, the media got extremely upset with the White House, due to the pressure they were putting on the publication (52-53). Begala agrees with Hewitt that the media has a bias, but argues that it is a liberal bias. He cites the media's obsession with the Clinton and Monica Lewinsky scandal and how, "Even when Clinton was leaving office, he was hounded and pounded by the press" (199). He argues the news coverage was unfair, brutal and unethical in the way both Bill and Hillary Clinton were treated during the scandal (200). Begala also says Al Gore was treated very poorly by the press during the election, by being misquoted. Gore made major contributions during the early phases of the internet and made a comment on CNN saying he "took the initiative in creating the Internet." Begala argues this was blown out of proportion and more than a thousand articles have been written quoting Gore saying he said he "invented the internet" (202). The people's perception that certain publications are bias can have a negative affect on journalists as a whole. While the public demands that the press question politicians, Robinson says there is public discontent when bad news is reported due to the publics distrust in news and a "kill the messenger syndrome." At times, the public will assume all media is the same and when one publication is guilty of inaccurate or bias