GWSS 241 Blog Post #3

Eva Anderson
May 20th, 2020
GWSS Blog Post #3

The understanding of race and the intersection of gender is truly one of the most fascinating concepts as it is not only astounding and shocking to uncover,  it is also extremely political- and that is all said while you should know as a reader, that I do acknowledge the privilege I have as I speak to race as a white woman. Last week's reading, "“It’s (Not) A White World: Looking For Race In Punk” and introduction to a collection of punk zines written by Mimi Nguyen, she discussed how granting minority populations and those who are non-white agency in forums such as Punk will "involve some self-reflexive unpacking of privileges/poverties and their historical and political contexts".
The discussion then transgressed to that of understanding and engaging with power and agency that we are all given (some obviously more that others).

Beyonce in her visual album "Lemonade" prompts the viewers with heavy topics, reminding us of where she is from with nods from her past. I will make the case that with Beyonce's power she is able to bring to light current social problems (such as the Black Lives Matter Movement and police brutality) and discrimination that has challenge our society for as long as time will tell. This visual album is arguably one of Beyonce's first moments where it is clear we see her as an artist taking a stand. One of my favorite songs on the album is "Freedom" in which she sings, "I break chains all by myself, won't let me freedom rot in hell". She is no longer creating music that is easy to digest-she is getting political. She challenges the racial stereotypes and brings up sensitive topics for  in this country. Beyonce's power and agency is unlike many other POC in the current day. Nguyen discusses how we are encouraged to "recognize power in all its forms, how it operates. Engage it, even use it strategically" Lemonade as a visual album and Beyonce as the artists behind the work is able to engage and further an agenda that discusses not only racial segregation, abuse and brutality, but captures it visually as well. And besides the discussion of race, Beyonce also overtly embraces her racial background, and her black female femininity.

DJ Selections:
Common and John Legend--Soundtrack from the movie SELMA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUZOKvYcx_o
Common and John Legend speak to the freedom that Beyonce sings about in her visual album. Common also brings to light the movements we have seen as a result of racism and the visual, like Beyonce's make it so much more moving. 

J. Cole "Crooked Smile"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzzMOMkjm8A
This highlights the differences in how race effects both parties in the video. J. Cole brings up the idea that we all truly want the same thing, and how race has changed the way peoplw are able to find success in this world.