On April 23, 2016, Beyoncé released her striking visual album entitled "Lemonade." The album alludes to be a sharp response to her husband Jay-Z's alleged cheating with the infamous "Becky with the good hair." After hearing the catchy song, "Sorry," where the term "Becky with the good hair" derives from, the internet swarmed with question as to who the heck Becky was and what role she played in Beyoncé's and Jay-Z's marriage. Some of the possible Beckys included Rachel Roy, Rita Ora, Taylor Swift, Aunt Becky (yes, Aunt Becky from Full House), Becky from Roseanne, and many other absurd ideas. Whether the so-called Becky be Rachel Roy, Rita Ora, or any other claimed mistress, we can infer the term "Becky with the good hair" was meant to have negative connotation behind it.
Long before "Lemonade" came about, the name Becky has been a stereotype placed in the white community. Becky has been used in numerous songs, television shows, and other forms of pop culture to denote a negative preconceived idea of a certain white woman. Unfortunately in the society we live in, names have always been linked to a race before even meeting a person. While names continue to be associated to racial bias, Becky has also never been a name related to women of color, specifically black women, which is why Beyoncé chose the specific name that means much more than what pop culture is perceiving it as.
As well as names, the idea of good hair has somehow been placed in the white-only category before Becky even signified white women. The concept of white hair being the good hair has been taught to young black girls for years. This notion has caused years of hair damage, depression, and racial hierarchy. Becky is society's definition of beauty, which means Becky does not include black women. "Becky with the good hair" is not a cute little phrase that white girls or even mistresses can coin now. It is an insult.
Do not misinterpret Beyoncé with her use of the phrase "Becky with the good hair." As a music mastermind, you should already know she is thinking on a deeper level. Let me reiterate by saying "Becky with the good hair" is more than a meme. It is more than a mistress. It is not cute. It does not need to be your Instagram caption because it is in no way a term of endearment.
So before you decide to put "Becky with the good hair" in your Twitter bio, you need to think about the negative connotation behind it and the next time you think it's a good idea to get a shirt with "Becky with the good hair" on it, stop yourself and reread this article.
