Director-Melina
Last Looks Beyonce is sure making headlines for her latest music video and single "Formation." I don't
think this is a publicity stunt in the least. The only knock on Beyonce throughout her career is
that she is too perfect if thats even a thing and she definitely put her reputation on the line to
defend the black lives matter campaign. Some may say the super bowl was the wrong platform
to make such a statement but if you really want your message to be heard why not choose the
most watched televised event of the year to do so? Also being in the bay area and giving such a
powerful tribute to the Black Panther Party the origin of such a revolutionary movement was
monumental on her behalf. On top of a police car in the middle of a flooded New Orleans neighborhood,
Beyonce definitely swims instead of sinks in this daring new video.
Breakdown Beyonce sings her admiration for african american culture and shows respect to her roots as she
performs through various areas of Louisiana including a mansion, a swimming pool with no water
and an empty mall parking lot. Even though Beyonce is a major superstar she is still a country girl at heart.
As she professes her black pride and lets every one know that black is beautiful and anyone who doesn't
like it can pretty much get lost. She also creatively symbolizes a protest of deaths of african americans by police
through outstanding visual storytelling.
Nose Candy "Y'all haters corny with that illuminate mess" "If he fuck me good I take his ass to red lobster" "I like my negro nose with Jackson 5 nostrils" "I may be a black Bill Gates in the making" Style Points The bounce dancers were a great touch as it shed light to underground new orleans culture. For those of you who
don't know a song is not a bonafide hit until there is a bounce version of the song being played at a bar on
bourbon street. The shots from parades and the bands were awesome especially for those who have never got too experience a
Mardi Gras. The scenes of New Orleans underwater were nostalgic to me as I was living only an hour away at the time of
Hurricane Katrina. More then a decade later the aftermath of that horrific event are still very much on display
and I hope that when people see this video they are reminded and inspired to help rebuild the Crescent City. There is nothing on this earth hotter then churches in the south. Money Shot I think the most intriguing yet controversial part of this video is a scene where a young african american child with
a hoodie is in an intense standoff with a line of police where the young boy begins to dance all the officers put their
hands up and a spray painted sign reading "stop shooting us" flashes. This powerful statement is obviously symbolic
to recent murders of unarmed african americans as of late. I think the most important thing to remember is
that this is not a video bashing and criticizing the police in any fashion. There is a great deal of respect for the men
and women who dedicate and risk their lives for the better of humanity and there is not enough gratitude that can
ever be shown to our brave members of law enforcement. However it is naive to overlook the fact that there are
certain individuals with a uniform that target young african american males with reasons only known to them and
have not been held accountable for their heinous actions. As a young black male I personally don't always feel safe
around the police and I get paranoid about who I can trust at times and I am very sure that there are others like me
who can't help but feel the same. Final Touch The queen bee definitely stings hard with this visually stunning masterpiece. I know that there have been numerous
celebrities speak up about Black lives matter however a voice like Beyonce's simply just holds more weight. To have
arguably the biggest pop star on the planet and clearly the biggest african american take a side on such a
controversial issue is polarizing to say the least. Beyonce really put her reputation on the line as well as her
credibility with corporate sponsors and mainstream middle america to get a point across. Even though that Bey
has received some backlash as of late the criticism is unjustified as I feel that speaking up for what she feels is right
is more important then the opinions of some. Beyonce was courageous enough to drop Formation, now lets just see
who all falls in line.
-Caleb Raves
