I identify as a womanist-- an ideology that focuses on the advancement of women of color and our everyday issues-- however, I do embrace the feminist movement. The advancement of women and specifically of women of color is a cause I am wildly passionate about. I am also passionate about music, as I have been a musician for the last 10 years. What astounds me is that the Queen herself, Mrs. Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter has found ways to continuously relate the feminist/womanist movement to society through her music. And I'm here for it.
Who can talk about Beyoncé and feminism and not talk about the Superbowl Halftime Show? I am a die hard Denver Broncos fan, so it was an exciting day for football, but what was more important was that my number one favorite artist of all time was performing the day after she released "Formation." The moment I heard "I like my baby's hair with baby hair and Afros. I like my Negro nose with Jackson Five nostrils" I knew that her performance was sure to raise eyebrows. 
"Formation" is about Black women and our liberation movement. It begins with addressing the assault against Beyoncé and her continued success, as people have said is a product of the Illuminati. She dismantles the misogynoir she has faced since singing her heart out in Destiny's Child, and that is if a woman of color is successful, there must be a supernatural driving force behind her. In the first line alone, Beyoncé's feminism and womanism is seeping. She then furthers this truth in coming lines which state "I dream it, I work hard, I grind 'til I own it. I twirl on my haters," then "I go off, I go hard. Get what's mine. I'm a star." Queen Bey isn't simply saying that she works hard-- we all know that-- she's saying that every inch of her empire was built on her own accord and no one can discredit that. The proof is in the music.
"We slay" has become the mantra of so many Black women and girls around the world, and it was Beyoncé who put that short but powerful assertion to a beat. This line comes at a time where Black women, mostly on social media, are in full support of each other. "Slay" is left on selfies and other photos posted, and the encouragement that comes through that word alone is insurmountable, especially when you consider our bodies and culture are under attack. Women everywhere are attempting to have Black features while Black women are being harassed because of our features. It's not uncommon to hear someone talking about a Black woman's "soup coolers" or her "ghetto booty." Beyoncé recognized our cry and plea for self love and fulfilled it through two words. That is Queenly material.
We all know the line... the one that mentions Red Lobster. Though many people laugh at this line, I can't help but notice the feminism in this line and others following it, such as "I might take him on a flight on my chopper. Drop him off at the mall, let him buy some J's, let him shop up" and "I might get your song played on a radio station." The line about Red Lobster is sexual in every aspect. And it was meant to be. In a world that polices Black women and our sexual appetites, constantly monitoring us to place that "hoe" label or 'baby mama" stereotype on us, Beyoncé understands that our rights to sexual fulfillment are being infringed upon. And she doesn't care to let everyone know that their policing is misogynoir. Point. Blank. Period. When she mentions she'll take her mate shopping, I can't help but smile. Rappers say it all the time, that if their mate(s) treat them right, they'll buy them a purse or jewelry with diamonds. What cracks me up is the shear and utter shock people expressed when they realized that Beyoncé is stating that, yes, Black women take their mate(s) shopping, too because we have more than enough financial success to do so.
"I just might be a Black Bill Gates in the making" is the line that offers me life and I receive it. As a person who is in tune with entrepreneurship and marketing, Beyoncé's direct claim to the same genius as Bill Gates makes me want to jump for joy. She continues by saying "you just might be a Black Bill Gates in the making," reminding us that Black businesses are important to our culture's well being.
The video depicts and addresses many issues the Black community is facing, such as police brutality and poverty, but the lyrics behind the video are just as important. In every affirmation, Beyoncé includes "we" and unites an entire race through song. Her feminism/womanism reached all-time highs through this song and many others, such as "If I Were a Boy." The Queen herself encourages us as women first and as Black women second to continue through our life's journey and do so Flawlessly. And we must heed to The Queen's command and get in Formation.
