The latest little gem I found is this subversive little quote cleverly inserted in French into Partition, a song about Bey getting it on with Jay Z in the back of a limo on the way to the club:
"Est-ce que tu aimes le sexe? Le sexe, je veux dire l'activité physique, le coït, tu aimes ça? Tu ne t'intéresses pas au sexe? Les hommes pensent que les féministes déstestent le sexe mais c'est une activité très stimulante et naturelle que les femmes adorent."
According to friends who are much smarter than me, the above translates to:
"Don't you like sex? Sex. I mean sex, the physical activity. Fucking. You like that? You're not interested in sex? Men think feminists don't like sex, but it's a very fun and natural activity that women love."
So... can we please talk about this?
This year, there was a lot of discussion of Beyoncé's feminism; or more precisely whether or not mainstream (read: white) feminism deemed her feminist enough. Short answer? They didn't, and a lot of that criticism, was directly related to the fact that Beyoncé's image is consistently and deliberately very sexy and sexual. (White) Feminism claimed that Beyoncé was not an adequate role model because "[...] variations of Beyonce's body suit can be found in brothels, strip clubs, and red light districts across the world - where sex is for sale and it happens to be dispensed through a woman's body."
You read that right. Beyoncé's costumes are the equivalent to those that sex workers wear. Clearly their proximity to the sex work of women (who are disproportionately of colour, mind you) makes them inherently bad. Because reasons. Or something.
In any case, the reason I wanted to highlight this quote is because of the way she consciously intermingles her feminism with her sexuality. Partition has references to Jay Z... *ahem*...Monica Lewinsky-ing, on Beyoncé's gown, and to her going down on him in the backseat of a car. And then she drops this quote. In other words, she can be both sexual and a feminist. They are not mutually exclusive.
And we haven't even touched on the very racialized nature of the criticisms that Beyoncé received in the first place. Because while Bey was being reprimanded for posing in her underwear, Miley "Black-Women-Are-Props-For-My-Comeback-Album" Cyrus, was being hailed as a feminist icon. You're deluding yourself if you don't acknowledge that the difference in coverage is directly related to their difference in race.
As I've talked about before, the conversation surrounding black women and sexuality is always coloured by the historical context in which black women's bodies were used against their will; a direct result of their perceived lack of humanity due to their blackness. Because of these ideas, we're stuck with the Jezebel stereotype of inherent and uncontrollable black female sexuality. With this song, Beyoncé has done two things: reclaim her sexuality on her own terms and directly negate the misconception that feminism and sex are incompatible.
By embracing her sexuality; explicitly detailing her kinks and fantasies, she demonstrates that there is nothing uncontrollable about it. Her sexuality is deliberate and fully within her command, and she has every intent to use it as she sees fit; in this case, to pleasure her man (and by extension, herself).
As a black woman myself, this message is powerful to me. This is Beyoncé explicitly saying that there is nothing wrong with exploring your sexuality or your pleasure as a black woman. There's nothing shameful about it, and we should refuse to be ashamed of it. I have had people tell me directly that to consciously embrace my sexuality as a black woman is to reinforce the stereotype of hypersexuality. Which... is unfortunately exactly what less savvy minds will take away from this incredibly powerful political statement. Sex and feminism are not on opposite ends of a spectrum. They are related concepts that inform and influence each other in a myriad of ways.
Sexy Feminist King Beyoncé gets it.
YASSSSSSS. Beyonce is openly claiming the feminist term and integrating black feminism in her music. This was a very, very black feminist album, as she seemed to directly answer alot of White feminist's criticisms against her (the sexuality, her bravado in Bow Down). I love this album.
ReplyDeleteExcellent essay. I find the fact that this conversation has to be had = MISOGYNOIR is the culprit. In the culture of sex positivity and feminism, once again White feminists prove that feminism itself, let alone sex positivity, is a White-only club in their eyes. They are not even trying to listen to what Beyoncé is really conveying on this epic album and this incredible Black feminist project that she made art. And for the Black people whose minds are so colonized that they have internalized every misogynoiristic conception of Black women, sexuality, choice, safety, heterosexual relationships and empowerment, I truly hope that they will begin the decolonization process. I mean...when cishet Black men are bashing an album that includes so much sexual empowerment and choice, between a Black couple no less, then I know it's not that they hate sex, it's that they hate Black women having choice, agency and pleasure. Colonized minds. Again, great post.
ReplyDeleteThanks. High praise coming from you. And I completely agree that misogynoir is the culprit. If this album had come from a white artist it would be everywhere and universally loved. Yet in the last few days, it's been championed mostly by BW, while everyone else has dedicating their time to finding a reason to hate it. Thankfully BW are awesome and we understand the power of what she did here.
ReplyDeleteI plan to talk about this more in my next essay, but I what I really love is the way that this album also directly tackles a black feminist perspective. She deals with issues that BLACK women struggle with. It's almost like a love letter to BW.
***Flawless has me convinced that Bey was paying VERY close attention to what was being said about her over this last year. And instead of saying anything, she quietly worked on this opus, then released it, and bitch slapped everyone. Boss bitch shit!
ReplyDeleteYep! This is why I said this is about her experiences as a BLACK WOMAN. People are ansty and anxious to make this a "general" thing about "all women" and because they simply want to silence her experiences with intersectionality and our perception of it and how it relates to our own experiences. That "what about ALL women" thing is a silencing tactic and meant to erase us. I called it a manifesto of Black womanhood and freedom for the same reason you call it a love letter. This felt so personal and true. It's everything.
ReplyDeleteHow do you figure?
ReplyDeleteWhen did "white feminism" become a thing? I know plenty of white women (and Latina women, and Asian women, and many other ethnic women) who identify as feminists who very much laud sex and sexuality. Look at burlesque, a dance movement largely followed by white women.
ReplyDeleteThe whole point is that this is not a masculine or feminine action and should not be applauded or condemned as such. By commending her for taking charge of herself, but calling her a "king" for it, you are then implying that men are known for that action and she is being like a man. The whole point of feminism is establishing equality, not morphing women into being more like men or applauding women for embodying more masculine behaviors. That inherently undermines the act of equally valuing masculine and feminine behaviors.
ReplyDeleteI like the album and I will be jamming to it for a long time to come, but I really recoil at the energy we are pending valorizing Bey and this work. Why can't we give OURSELVES as critical WOC the space to just enjoy and respect her as an artist without putting her on this demi-God pedestal? A smart response to the covert racism from White feminists makes sense. But is Bey NOT completely aligned with the exploitative capitalist forces that control so many resources we as WOC do not have access to?? Isn't that the context in which she is celebrating her sexuality?? Why are we reluctant to call out the very conservative messages Bey is sending about body/ sexual politics (that a nearly naked, extremely slender, sexually eager woman's body is what is valued and allowed to be "celebrated")?? Partition is my favorite song on the album also and the French quote is really clever, but please believe the sex-loving, barbie-doll looking "feminist" has always been the easy go-to. I actually see Bey and other pop stars using feminism as a cover for COMPLETELY playing into patriarchal ideas. Is there a space where we can love sex and celebrate our pleasure, enjoy a hot track and a visually engaging video AND still be conscious about the various anti-WOC agendas that are still being served?
ReplyDeleteWhite feminism became a thing when white feminists purposefully and intentionally excluded WoC from their movements.
ReplyDeleteI never said that Beyoncé is like a man, or that I'm applauding her for being like a man. Like it or not, we still live a patriarchal society, wherein a man's role is more valued than a woman's. The BeyHive's reference to Beyoncé as a "King" is an acknowledgement that she has risen to "ultimate power" despite being a woman. It's not an attempt to make her man, but to make her equal to a man by affording her the same title a man would receive.
ReplyDeleteI don't have time for people who do not understand how personal agency works. I have no idea why you think I'm deifying Beyoncé. I simply detailed why this song and her feminist message resonated with me. Perhaps it didn't resonate with you in the same way. That's okay. Women aren't a monolith, and I would never expect you to agree with everything I say. But to suggest that I simply not engage with her music critically because you don't like the way I do it? And you also seem to have lost the significance of the release date. By dropping this album mid-week, she has upset the normal order the industry. It's why Target is now refusing to stock the album. They're scared no one will buy a physical copy because it's been online and sold so well already. This is a direct attempt to step OUTSIDE the paradigms of the industry.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information Anonymous. Unfortunately, since I was (and always have been) talking about white feminism as an institution, that fact doesn't actually change anything. Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteI figured it might be disrespectful to misrepresent the author. Anyway, just thought you should know. :)
ReplyDeleteI supposed you read this too? I haven't heard the songs yet (eventually, when they show up in other places, I may). http://ideas.time.com/2013/12/17/flawless-5-lessons-in-modern-feminism-from-beyonce/
ReplyDeleteI hadn't, but thanks for the link. It was a good read.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. While I do believe that you're right and that some mainstream media feminists are racists, the more I think, the more I wonder if sometimes, especially when dealing with the older ones, is not something to do with culture/age. My mom is a feminist, but she dislikes how I dress for work, for example. She got to a very high position, and always dressed conservatively. I can't really do that, nor do I believe I have to dress such conservative way to do my job and be treated with respect. So I wonder if some of the criticism is a throwback to when women felt they had to hide their sexuality in order to be taken seriously. Beyonce doesn{t hide, therefore (to them) she is not to be taken seriously. A problem still facing women today, but something a lot of us realize has to change, and not by dressing down or hiding how or who we are.
ReplyDeleteAlso, while again I do believe some may be truly racists, I think a lot of what you consider white feminism may be more apathetic. They just don't care about what they don't know and doesn't affect them personally, which is something that happens to all humans. This is not good either, as we should all strive for improvement of the whole and not some groups over others.
Lastly, something from the Latino counterpart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE6k0hxefc8 A friend posted this video. It is in part a parody and critique on how some music objectifies women (truthfully done). One of his friends, though, made the astute point that the only black Latina in the group was not one of the singers, but the backup dancer, the only one with true front and back. The singers were both covered up more and with lighter skin, albeit mixed (and also wearing clarifying makeup, to look paler).
Yes! Thank you for this tidbit; I couldn't make out the French bits in the songs & I was dying to find out what she was saying. This is SUCH a powerful quote to throw out there for all the reasons you covered.
ReplyDeleteAs an aside: I'm curious who it is who is claiming that Miley Cyrus is a feminist icon? Maybe I've been fortunate to not be exposed to those circles of white feminism, but I have not heard anyone saying that.
Brilliant article. I loved this song and loved the sex-positive vibe throughout the whole album. Think you hit the nail on the head re: black women's perceived (hyper)sexuality - I've seen a lot of comments on Youtube criticising Beyonce for trying to be 'street' like Rihanna but have seen very little of the same attitude regarding Miley Cyrus. It's all about narrow perspectives and bunching some people into tiny, narrow categories of 'other' against the standard - nothing much has changed.
ReplyDeleteReally love reading your perspectives, that seem to align far more with my own than many other things I read on the internet. As a white, British woman, I adore the internet for allowing me to engage with such a diverse range of viewpoints and wish that more people would use the net to explore the thoughts of others rather than preaching to the choir. Looking forward to reading more of your work.
Partition as well as Rocket, Blow and Drunk in Love all make my boyfriend extremely uncomfortable because, as he says, "Beyonce is a good girl, she is not supposed to be talking so nasty." His sexism aside, it is an important moment when a woman who has been perceived by many as "good," "clean," "Wholesome" transgresses the virgin/whore dichotomy and pushes us all towards a more complete view of womanhood and thus personhood of those that are female gendered. I'm with you 100 percent about the significance of coupling a claim to feminism with sexual empowerment through partition. This is a powerful and revolutionary move that I believe is changing the discourse not only in the public but also in our private lives.
ReplyDeleteThis is ridiculous. It's like a HS girl just suddenly discovered the rhetoric of 70's feminist movements of sexual freedom. If Beyonce made you realize that there is nothing wrong in embracing your sexuality, you might want to give some 40 + years old books a read. What Beyonce is doing is nothing new, nothing unheard of. But she's cleverly capitalizing off of naive feminist-wannabes (and new generations) through Pop with theories and rhetoric that have been around before she was born. I'm a bit shocked her antics of late have been a "Aha" moment for you. This is old, way old. The only thing new here might be her pop-popularization of these theories, but then again, who hasn't heard this same rhetoric drummed into their ears since a kid? I'd be surprised if this is new to anyone.
ReplyDeleteOf course! Because Beyoncé sparking an interest in feminism in the young girls who don't have access to bell hooks and Audre Lorde, but DO have access to a radio is just the WORST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED.
ReplyDeleteFeminism doesn't exist only in academia. If that's the kind of feminism you practice, you don't have a place here.
Ha! No.
ReplyDeleteYou being white doesn't mean you get to decide how black women put their feminism into praxis. That is the height of white feminist entitlement. The reason you don't see a need to label feminism as "black" is because feminism has always served you. Feminism was created for you and your interests. That has never been the case for women of colour. Telling WoC that they are being divisive for demanding that their issues be addressed is pretty much the easiest way to identify yourself as anti-intersectional. You're essentially asking us to be quiet about our pain. I cannot divorce my blackness from my femaleness. You might not have to deal with race, but I have to deal with racism AND sexism, all the time, every day. The sexism I face is informed by my race and vice versa. It is a continual struggle, and "sticking together" does nothing to combat those issues. What WoC need is for white women to understand that their experiences as women are NOT universal, and that WoC are dealing with an additional layer of discrimination.
Love this post.
ReplyDeleteBut wouldn't it be more accurate to say he 'Bill Clintond' on her gown?