By Angela April<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The famous 43-year-old singer, songwriter Beyonc\u00e9 Knowles-Carter often uses her music as a
platform to express feminist ideals. But does her work really push for a better future for women?
When asked if she considers herself a feminist, she said<\/a> \u201c\u2026working to make those inequalities
go away is being a feminist, but more importantly, it makes me a humanist. I don’t like or
embrace any label. I don’t want calling myself a feminist to make it feel like that’s my one
priority, over racism or sexism or anything else. I’m just exhausted by labels and tired of being
boxed in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This response comes after her 2014 Mrs. Carter tour where she boldly illuminated the stage with
the word “Feminist” while performing. But instead of directly declaring herself a feminist,
Beyonc\u00e9 explained that she used this moment to clarify what feminism really means. She
referenced a TED talk by author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who defines it as \u201cFeminist: the
person who believes in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes.\u201d This moment
on tour further established Beyonc\u00e9 as a powerful advocate for women\u2019s rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are plenty of examples where Beyonc\u00e9 has demonstrated feminism through her music and
activism. Going back to 2008, her song “If I Were a Boy”<\/a> explores gender roles and the differences
in expectations between men and women. Beyonc\u00e9 sings about the hypothetical scenario of
experiencing life as a man, highlighting the disparities in treatment between genders. “Single
Ladies”<\/a> from the same year, encourages women to embrace their independence and not settle for
less than they deserve in a relationship. Lyrics in “Pretty Hurts”<\/a> such as \u201cBlonder hair, flat chest.
TV says bigger is better, Vogue says thinner is better,\u201d critiques the damaging effects of the
narrow beauty standards placed onto women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chime for Change, a global campaign founded by Gucci in 2013 alongside Beyonc\u00e9, actress
Salma Hayek, and designer Frida Giannini, aims to improve the lives of women and girls around
the world. The campaign raises funds and awareness for projects that promote education, health,
and justice for women. Beyonc\u00e9 has been actively involved in Chime for Change as a co-founder
and a key supporter of the initiative since it began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2018, Beyonc\u00e9 headlined the Global Citizen Festival in Johannesburg, South Africa, where
she called for greater action against gender-based violence and HIV\/AIDS. Most notably,
Beyonce has founded BeyGOOD<\/a>, her philanthropic entity established in 2013. BeyGOOD
promotes economic fairness by supporting marginalized and underserved programs. The
organization works towards breaking down barriers between education and poverty by offering
scholarships, internships that lead to job placement, and entrepreneurship support for businesses.
Overall, Beyonc\u00e9\u2019s efforts towards a more just world are evident. Through her music, charities,
and platform she sheds light on societal issues while working towards a solution. There is no
doubt that Beyonc\u00e9 has bettered the lives of many people, but is she a feminist?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many instances where her actions contradict feminist ideals. Beyonc\u00e9’s performances,
which often involve revealing outfits and provocative dance routines, can be seen as objectifying
women. The concern is that these performances tie Beyonc\u00e9\u2019s worth to her physical appearance,
rather than her talent, intellect, or character. R&B music has always been guilty of sexually
exploiting women<\/a>, from male rappers degrading and comparing them to objects\u2013 to female
rappers doing it on their own. Beyonc\u00e9\u2019s music videos for Partition and Drunk in Love cater to
the male gaze by focusing on her body. Adopting the nickname \u201cQueen Bey\u201d and telling people
to bow down is not uplifting to other women or improving their overall status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n