The "Formation" of Capitalist BS

*Confession* I debated whether or not to write this post several times as not to incur the wrath of the "Beyhive," as they are more dangerous than Wu-Tang's "Killa Bees," but some of yall need to realize how stupid yall sound defending someone who doesn't devote a single moment in their day to you and is only about making their own pockets fatter and their own publicity.

This week, Beyonce released the video for her newest joint Formation, and she performed it for the Super Bowl dressed in garb that was an homage to Michael Jackson and/or the Black Panther Party, depending on who you ask. The video itself is a conglomerate of issues that affect the Black Community from #BlackLivesMatter to #HandsUpDontShoot and even #Katrina, but pardon me if i don't see that connection with the lyrics of the song...until the end...

"You know you that bitch when you cause all this conversation.."


This country was built upon the principles of capitalism and Bey does nothing to shy away from the effects of a capitalist society when she considers episodes of her receiving that "good joog" warranting a trip to Red Lobster or a trip to the mall to buy Jordans. And that's where the lyrics in Formation lose me. Yes, I like noes with Jackson 5 nostrils, yes I like baby hair with baby hair and afros, and firmly believe that if you see something you want you should go get it and not be dependent upon someone giving it to you. However, my life's ambition is not to slay. (This is something that may also confuse wypipo who may take the word "slay" and the Black Panther homage as a call to actually kill in the name of Black Pride.)

I can also do without the division that this song causes..."My daddy Alabama, momma Louisiana, you mix that negro with that creole, make a Texas Bama." *Sigh* and here comes the BS. First of all, Bey, your momma is from Galveston, HER people are from Louisiana, (New Iberia, in fact, NOT New Orleans), but we'll touch on that later. The problem with these lyrics is the distinction between Negro/Creole which has been going on since the days of slavery. This prevents this song from being a black empowerment joint because it has that infamous distinction of a creole not considering themselves to be black. This is another thing that derails our equality agenda; how can we hope to be equals when we make many distinctions about our own status. FOR THE LAST DAMN TIME, CREOLE IS A CULTURE, NOT A RACE, AND WHEN THERE IS A BOX ON THE CENSUS FOR CREOLE THEN WE CAN ADDRESS THE DIFFERENCES! Beyonce, like a lot of Black folk who relocated to Texas and California are quick to throw out their Creole heritage as a means of displaying that they are better than those who are just simply negro. (*Side note* I am Creole myself, but I am a proud BLACK AMERICAN!)

Now, for the part that is going to have the "Beyhive" at my neck, the gimmickyness (if that's a word) of the video. My personal feelings about Beyonce is that she has always, yes, since the days of Destiny's Child, done too much. She wants to display the image of being a bad chick or a boss chick but has this "look at me, look at me" attitude like she craves the attention. A true baddie doesn't have to display this mindset because all eyes are always on her no matter what she does. How gimmicky Formation is reminds me of Get Me Bodied where Bey steals common place New Orleans dances and gives them different names. That's no different than the cultural appropriation that Wypipo have been doing for centuries. Yes Beyonce, you have Louisiana roots, but is Katrina really your story? And if it is indeed your story then why wait 10 years to tell it? The "Beyhive" will argue that she was not in a position to speak on it at the time and wasn't in the position to sacrifice her career at the time but Kanye did it, and he (quite frankly) didn't really give a fuck because he felt it was appropriate to do given the circumstances. Speaking out against injustices shouldn't be restricted to when it is convenient to do so and the "Beyhive" should be ashamed of itself for giving Queen Bey that pass, but those are mindless peons. In addition, an article was recently published displaying that Formation was not filmed in New Orleans and the "Beyhive" has responded by accusing the paper of lying. Yes, Beyonce recently filmed a video in New Orleans, but it was NOT Formation, get that in your head!

Yes, Formation, is a good song that does get one's head nodding and displays a (mostly) positive message for young black women, but it IS NOT, and SHOULD NOT be the voice of the #BlackLivesMatter movement...