As soon as "Lemonade" hit iTunes, I knew that I needed to get it. I was too engulfed with the pre-finals week mayhem to even hear that Beyoncé dropped an entire movie through HBO. However, once I heard the news I was intrigued. I needed to hear it and see it, right then. So I got the album and started playing it all. the. time.
When I stopped by my boyfriend's he overheard the blaring sound of "Hold Up" (my favorite song) and asked (out of kindness) who was singing the upbeat battle cry on my phone. When I said Beyoncé, he looked with a disgusted look as I paused the music.
You see, my boyfriend is a criminal justice major at our university and didn't take too well to the Beyoncé 's halftime performance with Coldplay. Maybe she took it a little too far but what artist hasn't? Sometimes making something so beautiful and inspiring and eye-opening needs to break the boundary.
What really made my man mad was the Black Panther reference. I, for one, had no idea what that was about. Here's a little history.
According to Marxists.org, the Black Panthers were founded "October of 1966, in Oakland California, Huey Newton, and Bobby Seale founded the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense. The Panthers practiced militant self-defense of minority communities against the U.S. government, and fought to establish revolutionary socialism through mass organizing and community-based programs."
However, Beyoncé has spoken with and defended herself on CNN.
"Anyone who perceives my message as anti-police is completely mistaken. I have so much admiration and respect for officers who sacrifice themselves to keep us safe. But let's be clear: I am against police brutality and injustice. Those are two separate things. If celebrating my roots and culture during Black History Month made anyone uncomfortable, those feelings were there long before a video and long before me."
So maybe it was just a look in history but I'm not one known for holding grudges.
When thinking about the newest album, I feel that Beyoncé is an excellent example for women who have been cheated on, neglected and physically or mentally abused by their significant other, boyfriend, husband or quite frankly, anyone. Women need to realize that they need to stick up for themselves. They need to be brave, strong, independent, beautiful and well-spoken women.
So no, I'm not anti-cop. I am thankful for any service man or woman who protects us day in and day out. But honestly, I will not stop listening to Beyoncé. Maybe everyone just needs to drink the "Lemonade."
