gwss blog #3

Mia Gasero

The visual album of ‘Lemonade’ by Beyonce was a cultural awakening. Not that she was the first to use her platform as a black feminist, but her large following allowed many more to see through the eyes of Beyonce that black women who are still facing discriminitation today. It feels unbelievable to write that people of color, specifically women of color are still being treated badly. In Close To Home: A Conversation About Beyonce’s ‘Lemonade’ by Bradley and Hamptom, Bradley talks about the impact ‘Lemonade’ has on it’s viewers stating, “It demonstrates healing as messy, non-linear and generational.” Trauma is intergenerational and it should be addressed more in the media which Beyonce displays beautifully through ‘Lemonade.’ She furthermore shows the strength of black women that have been poorly treated in the past and today and how to go about life as a black woman. ‘Lemonade’ is almost like a coming-of-age visual in the modern age. The discussion in the NPR article relates to the subject being talked about in the article Final Chorus: Planet Rock by Kevin Young where he writes about the expressiveness of black artists. He begins the article that for many black folks, their lives are to be heard but not quite as they would like, he describes it as, “...fragile and formidable; personal yet meant to be heard; loud as hell yet clandestine…” It is not that all black women exactly want to discuss their private lives but they should be heard to help heal past trauma. They are to not be silenced any longer although some still ignore. Beyonce made sure she was heard from not only her legendary album but the beautiful movie that went along with it that aired to millions.

I choose “Needed Me” by Rihanna because she allows herself to be fully heard off her iconic album, “ANTI” and in the song she displays a strong female energy to men who are too weak to admit their weakness towards strong women. Like Beyonce in “Lemonade”, she is remaining resilient although men may have tried to tear them down. Also I choose “Be Careful” by Cardi B, because just like the slower, sensitive songs from “Lemonade” like ‘Sandcastles’, Cardi B still is okay with opening up that not everything is fine and that she has emotions that need to be cared for too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfN4PVaOU5Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zSRkr1nQNw