Beyoncé’s release of song “Formation” stuns spectators

Photo+courtesy+of+thewarp.com

Photo courtesy of thewarp.com

Jessica Lathan, Staff Reporter

Beyoncé surprised Super Bowl Sunday spectators when she debuted her new song “Formation” during her halftime show appearance. Although Queen B has an empire of dedicated fans, many were uneasy with the footage depicted in the video which included themes of police violence and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Within the video, Beyoncé also praises her African-American and Louisiana roots and, in turn, incorporates Creole culture themes as well. According to an article written on CNN fans were, “offended as an American that Beyoncé performed her race-baiting stunt at the Super Bowl.” Conversely, the police force argued it’s a, “Slap in the face to law enforcement.”

Furthermore, Beyoncé addresses issues within society that have yet to be resolved, such as violence within the black community and police brutality. Even though some see Beyoncé’s new video as racially inferior, others think it brings to light what’s being swept under the rug. Rolling Stones argues it’s a “glorious vision of poly-gender blackness amid constant racial, economic and environmental stress.”

Students at WY shared their thoughts after watching the video and had a lot of varying comments. Taylor Coward, 17’ said, “The video and song served as black empowerment by talking about the struggles we face in our community as well as things that make up our culture, the things that make us so special. We have rhythm, and our hair is beautiful. The song and video show the darkness and light of the Black condition of 2016.”

Similarly, Sydney Schwartz, 17’ stated, “The formations were on point. She brings a whole new level of feminism to the table and I wish I could dance like her.”

Many other students at WY had similar comments praising Beyoncé’s dance moves and vocals within the song. Looking beyond the singing and dancing, Beyoncé communicates a plethora of pressing affairs within our world. She hits on the way the government poorly dealt with the victims of Hurricane Katrina and restoration of the black neighborhoods of New Orleans. She targets police shootings that have happened over past years such as Trayvon Martin. The “Formation” video is important to view, regardless of one’s taste in music.