Feminist Mantras of Beyonce's Lyrics | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Feminist Mantras of Beyonce's Lyrics

From Flawless to Lemonade.

1642
Feminist Mantras of Beyonce's Lyrics
Google images

Beyonce has become a prominent role model for women and embodiment of feminism in our generation. Although lately the focus in her music has been on embracing her black roots, there are feminist lyrics everywhere. Everything about Beyonce displays a fierce, independent persona. Feminism is entwined in almost every one of Beyonce's songs. Here are some examples.

1. "Pretty Hurts"

"Pretty Hurts

Shine the light on whatever's worse

Perfection is the disease of a nation

It's the soul that needs surgery"

Beyonce understands that everyone has body image issues in some way and describes society's unfair expectations for women to be perfect.

2. "Flawless"

"I took some time to live my life

But don’t think I’m just his little wife

Don’t get it twisted, get it twisted

This my shit, bow down bitches"

Beyonce is telling women to never just be someone's wife, despite the inherent societal standard that women should aspire to get married while men should focus on their careers.

In addition, Beyonce incorporates an interlude by Nigerian writer and feminist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie into "Flawless." The song excerpts the writer's TED talk on feminism:

"We teach girls to shrink themselves, to make themselves smaller
We say to girls: 'You can have ambition, but not too much
You should aim to be successful, but not too successfulOtherwise, you will threaten the man.'
Because I am female, I am expected to aspire to marriage
I am expected to make my life choices always keeping in mind that marriage is most important
Now, marriage can be a source of joy and low and mutual support
But why do we teach girls to aspire to marriage and we don’t teach boys the same?
We raise girls to see each other as competitors
Not for jobs or for accomplishments, which I think can be a good thing
But for the attention of men
We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings in the way boys are
Feminist: a person who believes in the social,
Political, and economic equality of the sexes"

Beyonce wants to show people that she can be empowered and sexy at the same time, telling women to refuse to let the world see them as a sex object.

In Beyonce's newest album, the stunning visual album "Lemonade", Beyonce emphasizes the importance of loving yourself first and foremost. "Lemonade" resides in a land of no men. God is referred to as a 'her', and Beyonce intersperses writing of the British-Somali poet Warsan Shire throughout the album. Here are some important words:

1. "It's not my responsibility to be beautiful. I'm not alive for that purpose. My existence is not about how desirable you find me."

2. "Document the moments you feel most in love with yourself- what you're wearing, who you're around, what you're doing. Recreate and repeat."

3. "I am a lover without a lover. I am lovely and lonely and I belong deeply to myself."

These lines accentuate the importance of self-love and recognizing beauty in all its forms.

From Your Site Articles
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

187899
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

13426
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

456760
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

25954
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments