Why Beyoncé is Conservatives’ Biggest Threat
Let’s talk about Beyoncé. People love her; people hate her. There seems to be no in between. She’s either a queen or a demon. She’s too black for some or not black enough for others. I’ve heard people call her a singing stripper, a devil worshiper , a poor role model. Never have I met someone who is indifferent to her. Whether it’s adoration or pure hatred, she’s the most controversial female artist today.
When Beyonce appeared at the Super Bowl this year, people were up in arms about her performance of “Formation,” accusing her of being anti-police, too political, and even racist. Only a few days later Kendrick Lemar gave an even more politically charged performance at the Grammys. While there was some controversy, it was mostly praised and quickly forgotten. Beyonce’s 2013 Super Bowl performance was fiercely scrutinized, with various websites and religious leaders claiming she was possessed by a demon (aka her alternate ego, Sasha Fierce), not to mention the numerous accusations that she belongs to the Illuminati.
Websites like: revelationnow.net, beforeitsnews.com, and nowtheendbegins.com have been claiming this for years. These are only a few of a plethora of sources that campaign against her and profess that listening to her music is damaging our youth.
While I understand that controversy is a side effect of fame, I can’t help but feel uneasy as to why she is the most threatening celebrity to conservatives and religious fanatics alike. If we look at her track record, there really isn’t any substantial reason why anyone would judge her so harshly. She’s been with her husband, Jay-Z, since she was 19, she’s never been known to do drugs, and all of her songs are anthems of independence, female empowerment, and sex positivity. So why is she so menacing? Here’s my theory: She is the most influential black woman alive and that is still unacceptable.
Judging by how many racists and bigots have come out of the woodwork since Donald Trump announced his presidential candidacy, we can safely assume that our society is still greatly dominated by religion and white male supremacy. But you don’t have to take my word for it. You can judge for yourself by paying attention to censorship and backlash in the media.
There are still two subjects that are guaranteed to create outrage: women’s rights and racial issues. Have you seen the hostility towards Old Navy’s biracial family ads? Or the backlash at celebrities such as Jennifer Lawrence and Patricia Arquette for asking for equal pay? Remember at the Super Bowl back in 2004 when the whole “wardrobe malfunction“ happened during Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake’s performance? While Justin was spared after an apology, the media was so ruthless towards Janet, that she never fully recovered.
But Mrs. Carter is no Janet. She is a black woman who is sexual, political, and most of all she is unapologetic with her opinions, her body, and her power. Beyonce is a calculated business woman who has earned the right over the trajectory of her career to express herself freely. While she’s been successful for a long time, she had stayed safely within the parameters of what is acceptable and comfortable for conservatives until very recently with her last two albums.
Yet, in 2013 all that swiftly changed thanks to her self-titled visual album. She progressively introduced the idea into her songs that women could give birth and return to work without hesitation or guilt. And flaunting your hard earned money was not only acceptable but celebrated.
However, this was the first time that she no longer lightheartedly claimed her female power in a catchy tune. She took full control of her career and the success she’d built over the past 20-years. She cursed, she spoke candidly of marital problems, and she strutted her round, (and amazing) black ass in such a blatant and defying way. There was no denying her influence. There was no denying she had a plan all along. There was no denying her power.
I bounce from channel to channel landing on Fox News, where everyone is outraged that she would push her political agenda on such a platform. Everyone is butt-hurt that she would dare flaunt her blackness.
For weeks, I see as many articles demonizing her as there are praising her. Then “Lemonade” comes out and not only is she not retracting, but she’s even more daring, more celebratory of her roots, her womanhood, and her humanity. Suburban housewives flip their shit at the thought of her outing her husband’s affair, but more so that she believes in forgiveness. Oh, the nerve!
I imagine that Beyoncé is sitting in a leather chair, behind a marble desk at the top of a skyscraper, looking down at all of us and basking in her triumph. She is exactly where she wants to be- and to that I say all hail Queen B! She’s not going anywhere.
