The Universality of Beyonce's Influence: Breaking Barriers With The BeeHive!

Join The Buzz Because Beyoncé's Influence Knowles No Bounds.

By Camille

Yesterday I went to a volunteer event called "Reading With Love" and I was speaking with one of the individuals who helps organize those events. They gave me incredibly useful and meaningful advice about life and how to turn my interests into something meaningful to everyone. 

Of course, my focus and interests are on black, queer, and religious intersections as a way to call attention to the importance of opening the pews for black men, women, and non -binary folx to have the comfort to thrive and survive throughout their religious beliefs, grow with their queer identities, and understand that "being black" does not and should not come with certain criteria of what it means to be a true black man or woman, as that criteria simultaneously leaves out those who identify as other genders and sexualities. But the point is not have checklists for those identities because identity is complex. The individual who I was speaking to, mentioned how I should focus on what it is that Beyoncé  does for the community. How is Beyonce opening the floor for all types of people? How is Beyoncé calling for a type of radical inclusion and breaking barriers? I figured I would start with her philanthropic ventures with BeyGOOD, a social change that seeks to bring education, internships, and sustainability to people across the board. This is where my focus on black, queer, and religious intersections could become universal to people beyond the identifications of being black and queer and religious.

In her anthem "Formation," Beyoncé boldly proclaims her Southern heritage and black identity with unapologetic pride. Through its defiant lyrics and striking visuals, "Formation" challenges stereotypes and celebrates the richness and diversity of black culture. Beyoncé's embrace of her natural features, such as her "baby hair and afros," serves as a powerful statement of self-love and acceptance. Moreover, her rallying cry for women to "get in formation" underscores the importance of unity and solidarity in the face of adversity. Self-love and acceptance are important factors in leading a meaningful life, without those things it is difficult to navigate with resilience and compassion. 

In "Flawless," Beyoncé still gives us everything with an empowering message of self-confidence and acceptance, particularly for women and marginalized communities. With lyrics like "I woke up like this" and "bow down, b******," Beyoncé celebrates imperfection and asserts her power and autonomy. By reclaiming derogatory language and embracing her flaws, she encourages listeners to love themselves unapologetically and to reject societal pressures to conform to narrow standards of beauty and perfection. This reclamation is something that I recognize often within my generation, a reclamation of terms that otherwise would've been used to call someone out of their name and dignity.

In "Freedom," Beyoncé continues to deliver a declaration of resilience and liberation, with themes of overcoming adversity and reclaiming one's power. Through lyrics like "I break chains all by myself" and "I'ma keep running 'cause a winner don't quit on themselves," Beyoncé asserts her agency and determination to break free from oppression and injustice. By inspiring perseverance and resilience, she empowers listeners to fight for their freedom and to never give up on themselves or their dreams. This is a song that can resonate with people of color as they navigate breaking free from systems set up against them.

In "Brown Skin Girl," Beyoncé celebrates the beauty and diversity of black women and girls, promoting self-acceptance and pride in one's identity. With lyrics like "your skin just like pearls" and "melanin too dark to throw her shade," Beyoncé uplifts and affirms the beauty of brown-skinned women, challenging colorism and promoting inclusivity. By celebrating the unique features and experiences of black women, she encourages listeners to embrace their own beauty and to celebrate the beauty of others. Through adversity, these are important, but they also do not absolve accountability. Being complacent and stagnant in proactivity to challenge systemic and societal barriers is harmful to the liberation of marginalized communities. That phrase "Sometimes it be your own people" will always remain a true statement until EVERYONE recognizes their complacency in perpetuating harmful systems. It's a sobering reminder that complicity in oppressive structures can exist even among those who are marginalized within them. This phrase speaks to the complexity of addressing systemic issues, highlighting the need for collective awareness and accountability.

I think it is niche to call her art something like an afro-fabulous ghetto fusion. The term "afro-fabulous" is the celebration of pride in ones heritage in this case African heritage and that is evident in Beyoncé's visuals, like in her music video "Grown Woman". The term "ghetto fusion" is to encapsulate the vibrant essence of Beyoncé in the celebration of diversity like in her "Lemonade" album where she speaks about her roots "Texas-bama", "I like my negro nose with Jackson 5 nostrils", the term "negro", these are things that may seem outrageous or like a **gasp**. But as a Black individual it makes sense. Black individuals features are historically talked about, their legs, skin tone, hair placement, facial features, body formation, and it is always pointed out as a mockery. But the act of reclamation that I mentioned in my other Beyonce blogs, has always been prevalent in Beyonce's music and artistry. 

This is a reclamation that can universify, it doesn't matter your race or ethnicity, you can reclaim the things taken away from you because they were deemed an act of defiance or abhorrent. Beyoncé is definitely breaking barriers for Black individuals, but there is no harm in listening to Beyonce and feeling like she is talking to you too even if you aren't Black. Beyoncé is for the unity of people. People need people therefore people need Beyoncé. Just as Beyoncé is dynamic as a human being in her artistry and ventures, us mere mortals on this Earth should also strive to be more dynamic in how we address and accept social change. Don't just BeyGOOD, BeyDynamic.

Now Bey's Bees, divide, conquer, and share the good news of Beyoncé !