J.Says Online
  • Home
  • Entertainment
    • THE J. LIST
    • J.LIST BLOG
    • GENERAL HOSPITAL
  • Seriously Beyonce`, WTH?!?
  • Society/Culture
  • So This is Life?
    • J.Says Daily
    • J.Says & the "Quarter-Life Crisis"
  • Contact/ Info
  • Feedback

Beyonce` Isn't a Feminist?

11/10/2011

4 Comments

 
Picture
Do non-feminists make statements like this?
I’ve heard different arguments proposing reasons why Beyonce` cannot be classified as a feminist. The two reasons I hear the most are: 1) She has a sexy image and 2) She sings about love too often.

She Has a Sexy Image
To say that someone isn’t a feminist because they have sex appeal implies that feminists aren’t or can’t be sexy, reinforcing the stereotype that feminists are bitter, ugly lesbians. I can see why one would factor sexual image into labeling someone as useful (or not) to feminism, however. The sexual personas of some female public figures arguably feed into the objectification of women. In Beyonce’s case, I don’t feel she has a detrimental or counteractive sexual persona. There have been moments where I’ve found her behavior to be questionable, but those moments are very rare. Majority of her music is G-Rated (PG-13 at most), her interviews have yet to be sexually provocative or explicit, she’s never been nude in a film or photo and most of her performance costumes aren’t incredibly revealing. If Beyonce` is guilty of anything, it’s being sexually appealing. Of course men would ogle at her; she’s a beautiful, alluring woman. Is that a crime? No.

Picture
Sexy nurse or kitten? No. It's SpiderMAN.
She Sings About Love Too Often
A friend of mine said “I don’t think Beyonce’s a feminist. She’s a hopeless romantic.” After a performance of “Run the World,” my father asked “If girls run this motha’, then why is she married to Jay-z? Why does she need Jay-z?” What does one have to do with the other? Feminists can’t be in love now? My friend and father’s comments stem from yet another stereotype about feminism: feminists are against marriage and procreation. Some people believe that feminism is about being anti-childbirth and eliminating men and the institution of marriage. Some feminists are indeed against those things, but that isn’t a central tenet. Feminism is about freedom, equality, support and opportunity for women. Feminism fights the objectification, exploitation and mistreatment of women. Beyonce` can be an empowered, feministic woman and STILL be a wife and mother who’s happy to be one. One does not eliminate the other, nor is it related. 

If Beyonce` isn’t a feminist, why does she record so many feministic songs to the point that she’s accused of having too many? Why does she constantly mention female solidarity, empowerment and being an example of female-owned/operated business in her interviews? Why do many of her philanthropic efforts involve providing support for women and girls in crisis? Why has she purposely had an all-female band since 2006? Yeah….she’s not a feminist at all.

Any questions? Comments? Loves, hates or fears?

4 Comments
Mike J.
11/10/2011 03:55:57 pm

I wouldn't consider her a feminist because i have yet to hear her talk about/defending political/social or even economic equality between men and women. She's just woman obsessed. lol. Even in "Run The World" it's moreso "look we're women!" and like 1 line that's like "we can do the same thing men do" (both of which are obvious to the vast majority of society). making a song saying "women are better" or "men suck" every other year doesn't really constitute as being a "feminist".

I say "woman obsessed" as like a gimmick/angle that she uses to ploy this false sense of women empowerment through songs that evoke what women want to hear instead of the truth behind the reality. "Run The World", "Single Ladies", and even "Diva" (for example) all have these false perceptions of what womenhood should embrace that only feeds her main following what it wants to hear. It's easy to say "if he liked it he shoulda put a ring on it" or "diva is a female version of a hustler" but that isn't feminist at ALL. Feminist would be "if he hasn't put a ring on it and u BOTH love each other, put a ring on HIS finger", or "We're all hustlers, gender has nothing to do with it" or "We ALL run the world".

Reply
Shaundra B
11/22/2011 12:43:53 pm

I am bit torn with this argument. I understand what Mike J is saying...and I can concur with some of things you're saying. I consider myself a feminist. I love men, I want to get married, I don't want to have children...and I am a strong proponent of egalitarianism.
With that being said, I love many of Beyonce's songs and I feel empowered, hopeful, and inspired by a lot of them...yes including the ones where she talks about being in love. I'm having a hard time believing that she sits in the studio, her office, private island, or where ever and says, "what else can I do so that I may sound and appear more "Pro Girl Power? This is the best marketing angel ever!"
Let us not forget, the woman who feels fulfilled and CHOOSES to be a mom and housewife, can too hold the title of "feminist."
So why can't one who is sexy, married, happy, powerful, and in love also be?
Think about it. Feminism has many faces, and I think hers just so happens to be one of them.

Reply
Stevana
2/6/2012 02:27:57 am

Considering what you wrote in the last paragraph, I don't see how someone could argue that Beyonce` isn't a feminist. She does indeed go beyond the typical to discuss female empowerment in her music and interviews. She doesn't have to do that. At minimum, it's important to her.

Reply
Online Sports Betting In India - Gullywin link
2/27/2023 04:21:03 am

It's not uncommon to hear arguments for and against Beyonce's classification as a feminist. While it's true that her sexy image and frequent focus on love and relationships in her music may lead some to question her feminist credentials, there are certainly other factors to consider as well. For example, Beyonce has been vocal in her support of gender equality and has used her platform to speak out about issues affecting women. Additionally, her work has often centered on themes of female empowerment and self-determination, which align with many feminist values. Ultimately, whether or not one considers Beyonce to be a feminist may come down to personal interpretation and perspective. What's important is that we continue to have conversations about the many different ways that women can express their beliefs and advocate for gender equality.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Seriously Beyonce`, WTH?!?

    Most people figure out pretty quickly that I LOVE Beyonce`. She is my queen diva of choice. But every now and then, she does something that irritates or perplexes me. Here, I tell what's been buggin me about the Bee lately (with reviews and love for the Queen Bee in between).

    Note: Occasionally, other individuals will be writing posts and they will be marked as such. Want to be a contributor for this section? Click the "Contact/Info" tab and fill out the form to apply.(Please only apply for this section if you are a genuine Beyonce` fan; thank you.)

    Picture
    Facebook Fan Community

    Archives

    June 2018
    November 2016
    February 2016
    November 2014
    May 2014
    December 2013
    October 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    July 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    October 2009
    November 2008

    Tags/Categories

    All
    4
    Album & Song Reviews
    Anniversary
    A Star Is Born
    Awards
    Barack Obama
    Bee And The Black Community
    Bee Flat (The Music)
    Bee Or Not To Bee? (Q&A)
    BeeRific (Dang I Love Beyonce`)
    Bee's Honey (News)
    BeyHive
    Beyonce
    Bow Down
    Career
    Charities
    Chime For Change
    Clint Eastwood
    Concert Dvds
    Concerts
    Contributing Writers
    Dangerously In Love
    Debut Album
    Destiny Fulfilled
    Destinys Child
    Documentary
    Dvds
    Eddie J.
    Fake Fans
    Fan Artwork
    Fan Quizzes
    Fansites
    Feminism
    Films
    Formation
    Formation Tour
    Fun Facts
    Games
    Hbo
    Image
    Influence
    Interviews
    Live Dvds
    Management
    Mathew Knowles
    Mitt Romney
    Mtv Video Music Awards
    Music Videos
    Nicki Minaj
    Only Fans Under/stan/d
    Performances
    Photos
    Polls
    Pregnancy
    Record Label
    Record Sales
    Remixes
    Satire
    Stans
    Superbowl
    Top 20
    Tour
    Videoblogs
    Video Reviews
    Video Uploads
    Wedding Dress

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.