BY STEPHANIE TREFCER
In what became a global phenomenon in just minutes after its release, Beyonce’s “Formation‘ music video took a jab at social injustice in our society through the catchy, up-beat tune and lyrics.
Released as a surprise, it was all the internet could talk about, since it went out an entire day before her Super Bowl 50 performance. Beyonce’s video takes place in New Orleans, Louisiana conjuring images of Hurricane Katrina and the Black South, along with a cameo of her daughter Blue Ivy Carter.
Although it is an effort to address black culture and the community’s relationship with law enforcement, the Formation video and Super Bowl performance have been under close public scrutiny, and critiqued by police officials across the country.
“I think that it was more of her being proud of being black and trying to bring the community together,” said Sashalee Rashford, a music production student at Ramapo College. “Beyonce utilized the correct platforms to get people talking about the need for unification and change, I don’t think she used it as a way to advertise Black Lives Matter in any way.”
LAW ENFORCEMENT CONCERNS
According to the Hollywood Reporter, police unions in Miami, Tampa and Nashville, are either calling for officers to boycott her music or urge police not to work at her shows.
Javier Ortiz, president of the Miami union, told the Hollywood Reporter, “Beyoncé used this year’s Super Bowl to divide Americans by promoting the Black Panthers and her anti-police message shows how she does not support law enforcement.”
Police officials are not the only ones concerned by the symbolic images; college students were also scrutinizing the symbolism in both the video and performance.
John Cavelli, a junior at Iona College, said the video and performance are “hypocritical of her attitude.”
“Through the symbolism of the sinking car in her music video and the Black Panthers inspired costumes, it makes no sense for her to bash the police and then have them escort her,” Cavelli said. “She needs to make up her mind about where she stands with the issue.”
As the video and performance may come off as controversial, others see it as a way to communicate unification and for Beyonce’s record sales to increase.
Worthwhile Attention
While the debate continues of whether or not the performance and music video is just an effort to support black culture, or to support the Black Lives Matter movement, Beyoncé has been receiving loads of attention worldwide with the release of her new tour, starting up in April.
Beyoncé is finding little to no trouble selling out in stadiums worldwide, which will presumably lead to more dates being added later throughout this year.
With 16 out of 40 shows sold out so far, Beyoncé did a successful job at marketing her upcoming new album, predicted to be released in 2016. Remember the surprise album release in 2013? Well, be prepared for another one. Some possible collaborators include Future, Cara Delevigne, and husband Jay Z.
“I think that we, as consumers, should mind our own business,” said Erin Witherspoon, a marketing major at Ramapo College. “What she does, says, sings, and decides to promote is nothing we should be concerned about. Every artist has that creative freedom and we should at least respect that.”
[AUDIO: Listen to Kevin Yoo speak about his perspective.]
I think this article is structured very well. It is in the format of a story, but the content is clearly made for the story being more about an issue. The quotes are great and the audio clip is good for giving more reaction to the issue. Maybe to make it more like a story, you can have it be more about the lead up to the performance.