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Original poster

Is Beyonce lemonade the most powerful black feminist piece of work?

303 replies

GetInFormationLadies · 26/04/2016 09:37

I'm barely over the death of prince but this album as made me shed a lake ful of tears in the last day.

It's such a powerful, strong love filled album that will help all black women get through even their darkest days.

She has left behind her sugar pop to try something very risky but to follow her heart.

I can not recommend it enough.

OP posts:
RudeElf · 26/04/2016 11:20

I can't help but feel she's playing the race card for her own gain

White men have been enjoying the spoils of their privilege for a long fucking time. Including using cultural appropriation for their own financial gain. But a black woman cant use her own race for her own benefit? Confused

funniestWins · 26/04/2016 11:23

Not 'race' rudeElf, 'race card'.

play the —— card

exploit the specified issue or idea mentioned, especially for political [or financial] advantage.
"he resisted the temptation to play the race card"

RudeElf · 26/04/2016 11:28

My post stands in response to that funniest. With an adjustment, White men have been benefitting not only from their privilege but from the race of others. They have used the race of others to their gain. I have no problem with oppressed people using their own race (that has been used against them) for their own personal gain. No problem.

Alyosha · 26/04/2016 11:31

Funniest - how exactly does that relate to Beyonce talking about her own life, the things that she has faced??? Is your position that no black person can ever talk about the colour of their skin affects their lives or what?

quencher · 26/04/2016 11:32

Zoe Saldana doesn't, to my mind, have European looks. Perhaps it's lookism as Zoe is stunning and while Nina Simone was an amazing lady, she wasn't as beautiful. I realise beauty is subjective be it the looks of another or the beauty of music like I loves You Porgy.

This response tells me you don't know anything about black people and the race issues they have in regards to colour. The fact is within the black community, there is a divid in colour or black peoples skin too.

It's because of benefit the shade of black can benefit you more than the other. Also physical feature. Ask Beyoncé and Zoe what benefit they have for being lighter. Many black girls are bullied within their own race because of their skin tone. Most being the light skin children.

WindPowerRanger · 26/04/2016 11:33

How about the Black Panthers @windpowerranger?

Why are you asking me, funniest?

As for:
It is no accident that he was killed just as he became moderate and accordingly, influential
What's that based on?

Any account of Malcolm X's life that you read anywhere. In 1964, when he was no longer in the Nation of Islam, Malcolm X went to Africa and the Middle East, including Mecca, in 1964. He was transformed by the experience and converted to conventional Islam. He explicitly rejected the NoI idea that white people were devils and endorsed seeking black emancipation through conventional and secular political routes.

BoogieTime · 26/04/2016 11:36

Quencher, what point was Serena proving? I've jut watched it but don't get it Blush

MagnoliaBreeland · 26/04/2016 11:40

I am really shocked that somebody suggested her white fans would be insulted! 😮 I am white and I am a HUGE fan, and race aside - she empowers me, she really does. The fact that she will stand up fiercely for what she believes in - well, that just makes me admire her even more.

As for the comments regarding her 'forgiving' her 'cheating husband' - firstly, there is no suggestion that the album is autobiographical. Sure, she may be drawing on personal experience but there is no instruction to take it all literally. In 'Daddy Lessons' she refers to her dad as dead, well he isn't - Mathew Knowles is alive and well.

Also - Jay appears in the film at various points. So I doubt this has all come as a complete surprise to him! 😂

Last point - even if he did cheat and she did forgive him, you cannot call her weak or 'not a feminist' Hmm I thought feminism was the freedom to make your own choice as a woman? And if you listen to the album, you will see that emotionally it goes to every dark place before reaching a stage of forgiveness. A hard won forgiveness. It's a STRONG album. The most powerful I think I've heard.

funniestWins · 26/04/2016 11:42

I asked you windpower as you wrote "And there is nothing wrong with admiring Malcolm X", I assume in reply to my comment but ignored the rest of the sentence re. Black Panthers.

I meant, where is the reasoning (and evidence or proof) behind him being killed as he became more moderate?

quencher I think understand what you wrote, but have no idea what you're talking about. The fact I don't think Zoe has European features means I haven't correctly understood how light skinned black children are bullied by their own race for not being as dark? I genuinely don't see the connection? Because Nina was darker than Zoe it was inappropriate for her to be in the biopic?

Alyosha, rudeElf

I'm not saying that someone can't use their race or how it affects them, I'm saying I'm cynical as to her reasons for doing so.

MorrisZapp · 26/04/2016 11:46

Haven't seen it. I'm not a lover of the semi naked empowerment dancing of Beyonce and her cohort but I'll admit she has some cracking tunes.

I'm not sure the feminist message has gone over with the mainstream though. According to buzzfeed the Internet melted with attacks on the woman strongly hinted at being her husbands 'sidechick', and indeed much hatred was poured on another woman with a similar name.

Reviling women who married men cheat with is not feminist in my book.

I'll watch it if I get a chance.

RudeElf · 26/04/2016 11:48

Yes i know exactly what you are saying, you think she is "pulling the race card" to inflate her bank balance. I agree she is, she is a business woman and more power to her. She didnt create the race issue, but it has undoubtedly disadvantaged her- she is redressing the balance. Of course she gets to use it for her own gain. Of course.

PinkheartsPinkfarts · 26/04/2016 11:49

All i found was a picture of her smelling a lemon and her back covered in water?
What are you talking about?

PinkheartsPinkfarts · 26/04/2016 11:58

Quencher
As a lightskin woman myself i would REALLY love to know were me being lightskin has given me this privledge you seem to think we get.
I have been in and out of hostels and only just found a job after 2yrs of not working.
Great lightskin privledge I have.

Secondly newsflash beyonce is lightskin

Third did you say anything when darkskin angela basset played lightskin tina turner? Erm let me guess.... NO

Macauley · 26/04/2016 12:00

Interesting thread. I think I will give it a listen now.

RudeElf · 26/04/2016 12:02

pinkhearts surely you realise that its possible to have something that grants you a privilege as a group in comparison to those that dont have it and yet as an individual not lead a privileged life. Just like there are homeless white people.

Alisvolatpropiis · 26/04/2016 12:02

I'm not a massive fan of Beyoncé, I don't much like pop music.

However I do think it is a positive that she is using her fame to speak up about issues which impact the lives of millions of women.

WindPowerRanger · 26/04/2016 12:02

I really don't like the terms 'lightskin' and 'darkskin' though. Rather objectifying.

DesignEye · 26/04/2016 12:06

Ahh such a shame. What could have been a really empowering/educating thread has now turned into 'proving' the issues black women face.

Another one bites the dust.

RudeElf · 26/04/2016 12:07

Indeed design

WindPowerRanger · 26/04/2016 12:10

Yup. Tedious, isn't it?

Queenbean · 26/04/2016 12:10

Isn't it somewhat offensive to use light skin and dark skin?

To me that implies that light skinned black or mixed race women are somehow "not properly" black and don't face similar or the same struggles or persecution

MitzyLeFrouf · 26/04/2016 12:16

But light skinned black women are generally shown as the desirable woman in a film or TV show. Wasn't it Straight Outta Compton where the casting call break down was released asking for....

'B GIRLS: These are fine girls, long natural hair, really nice bodies. Small waists, nice hips. You should be light-skinned.'

'D GIRLS: These are African American girls. Poor, not in good shape. Medium to dark skin tone.'

MorrisZapp · 26/04/2016 12:18

Fuck me, really? Is that casting call verified as real?

quencher · 26/04/2016 12:20

The black panthers main aim was to protect and provide for poor black families. I do think that it was one of those parties that got too big for its boots then lost it was way. The media portrayal in the sixties and seventies didn't help. Apparently they are the reason black people in America are seen as aggressive and angry. It's is this image that American media fed the public and it has stuck to this today.

Serena was proving a point about her body and also playing Beyoncé's role in the relationship. Whether to accept her sexuality or denying it to please white feminist view of what is good image for a feminist. If you watch Beyoncé's "upgrade you" it's a similar concept. Beyoncé is jay z sitting in that chair yet singing from the first person perspective.
In a split second you also see serena Williams siting in the chair while they play reverse roles with each other.

black women are told to be ashamed of their bodies and theses two women are not. "Stop interrupting my grinding" they are free to do what they want with their bodies and everybody else should mind their business.

Serena is also conveying the fact that she has been called all names under sun in regards her body. Also, From being side chick to dating a separated married man. This fuelled the argument that went on between her and Maria Sharapova. Which fits in perfectly with the video about cheating.