Newsflash: Beyoncé Isn't Running For President
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Newsflash: Beyoncé Isn't Running For President

Quoting her lyrics is a weak attempt to justify Trump.

18
Newsflash: Beyoncé Isn't Running For President
ABC News

The reach is real. I did not think it was humanly possible to stretch the truth so far until I discovered people dragging Beyoncé from atop her throne and into the political arena. First we have Betsy McCaughey, the Donald Trump surrogate who likened the GOP Nominee’s “locker room talk” to the bold lyrics of Beyoncé’s hit song “Formation.” According to McCaughey, it is hypocritical for Democratic Nominee Hillary Clinton to be repulsed by the language Trump used in the leaked 2005 Access Hollywood tape because Beyoncé has made sexual references in her music, and Clinton has expressed admiration for Beyoncé.

The needless hullabaloo only intensified when conservative commentators Ann Coulter and Laura Ingraham hopped on Twitter and quoted Nicki Minaj lyrics (that Coulter mistakenly accredited to Beyoncé) in an effort to undermine first lady Michelle Obama's powerful New Hampshire speech against Trump. If the thousands of bee emoji’s swarming McCaughey’s social media account and the ire Coulter and Ingraham triggered on Twitter wasn’t any indication, the BeyHive was none too pleased with their comments.

Where is the correlation, though?

I could travel to the far corners of the globe and still be unable to find the link between Trump’s dialogue on that tape and Beyoncé’s lyrics. Comparing the two is comparing apples to oranges. Beyoncé nor Nicki Minaj are running to be our next Commander-in-Chief. These women are entertainers. Thus, we do (or at least should) hold them to a different standard than we do the individuals running for Office. We do not expect Beyoncé or Nicki Minaj to have a healthcare reform policy or a plan to defeat ISIS. We also do not expect our presidential candidates to spit some rhymes on a killer beat or keep a bat named after a spicy condiment in their bags. The stark contrast in professions here makes arguments like McCaughey’s improbable.

Emphasizing the expletives of Nicki Minaj’s rap lyrics does nothing to strengthen Coulter and Ingraham’s arguments, neither. Their tweets lack credibility because they assume that the outrage surrounding Trump centers around the word "p----" hence their haste to quote Minaj using the same word. However, it is the context in which Trump used the P-word that has people angry. In fact, many opponents of the Republican nominee, such as Vice President Joe Biden, have amounted Trump’s boasting of grabbing women by their privates to sexual assault. Yes, there is music that is riddled with obscenities and sexual references, and it may not be everyone’s taste. But what do Trump's provocative remarks to Billy Bush have to do with Nicki Minaj rapping about the deliciousness of her goodies? The framework surrounding the candidate's use of the word and Minaj's use are completely different. The two simply do not compare.

Beyoncé does not belong in this conversation. Why shouldn't she sing about treating her husband to Red Lobster after enjoyable sex? Those cheddar biscuits are to die for! Furthermore, unless she decides to be Kanye West’s running mate in the presidential bid for 2020, then perhaps we can take issue with her more risqué lyrics. Otherwise, we need to leave her in the music industry, not drag her in the realm of politics in a rash attempt to justify the controversy surrounding Donald Trump. When I saw Beyoncé’s name in the headlines, I reckoned it was because she delivered another breathtaking performance or, along with Jay-Z, donated 15 million dollars to rebuild Haiti after Hurricane Matthew. The last thing I expected to see was conservative pundits quoting her catchy stanzas live on broadcast television and misattributing her lyrics in a tweet. Using Beyoncé, or any artist, for that matter, as a tool to quell political challenges is a reach of astronomical proportions.

I can acknowledge the need to handle opposition and stand up for what you believe in. What bewilders me is when people feign the power of Elastigirl from The Incredibles, extending their appendages so far that they squish two unrelated topics together to try and make a point. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't come for Queen Bey too hastily because the BeyHive is always in formation, and I am not trying to get stung.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58821
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37964
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959489
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

195265
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments