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Discuss the following questions:
1. What messages/ themes does Beyonce express through the song and video?
2. Are those messages/ themes similar to your initial reaction to the song and video?
3. How did Matsoukas help Beyonce convey those messages/ themes?
4. Find at least 2 examples of emotive language or rhetorical devices? What role do they play in the song? Be specific/ use evidence from the text.
5. Why do you think the song and video became controversial?
Replies: Read your classmates’ posts. Reply to at least 1.
9 thoughts on “Conversation 2: Language”
Hey Class!
1. What messages/ themes does Beyonce express through the song and video?
When you’re simply reading the lyrics without putting much thought or deep thinking into it, it’s about who Beyonce is. It’s about her routes and how although she’s famous she’s still the same country-ish girl she grew up as.This song is Beyonce identifying and being proud of her cultural identity and embracing for all that it is and that no one’s opinion on it will taint how proud she is of where she comes from. The theme she’s portraying is perseverance, she’s worked hard to get where she is but she wants to also remind people her roots and that she’s proud of it– setting an example for people that it’s not where you come from that determines your success it’s the hard work you put in. She’s telling people to be proud of who they are as it makes you…you.
2. Are those messages/ themes similar to your initial reaction to the song and video?
Yes as a black woman myself to me it solidified the importance of being proud of where you come from, in a society where we’re often disregarded its important to be confident within yourself. As women of color we are labeled as minorities twice and we’re at a disadvantage, the way we’re perceived has such a negative cognition derived from preexisting stereotypes. To me, this song was a screw you to societal construct.
3. How did Matsoukas help Beyonce convey those messages/ themes?
Matsoukas made sure different messages were being depicted, for starters she filmed where Beyonce’s grandparents were from already getting personal. She found a place that looked like a plantation farm for Beyonce to record a video to remind people of slavery and the brutality and belittlement black people have faced. She showed cop cars sinking as a message that police never show up for black people, we’re disregarded in society. But to see all these negatives and then see fearless, strong beyonce dancing her heart off and singing with such fierceness shows that we are able to prevail no matter the lack of resources provided.
4. Find at least 2 examples of emotive language or rhetorical devices? What role do they play in the song? Be specific/ use evidence from the text.
Emotive language can be pride, a lyric that embodies that perfectly is “Earned all this money but they never take the country out me,” Beyonce reminds us that she may be rich but the money can never change who she is. She also uses repetition as a way to remind us that she’s serious and passionate about what she’s saying, she wants people to know her success is evident but she’s who she is and she’ll always attribute that to her growth.
5. Why do you think the song and video became controversial?
I think people cannot handle the truth, when you see a black person so successful it goes against societal construct– Beyonce is being real and it can come off as raunchy and disrespectful but it’s her truth and her reality. She’s a black woman in America and proud and she’s mentioning all connotations associated with being black in a way where she’s embracing it and that alone is so different to what we’ve been taught to do as minorities. We’ve been taught internalized racism and self hate and having to white wash ourselves to be deemed as decent. Well Beyonce said no more.
Hey Lucia that is a great insight into your view of the theme. After rewatching the video and looking into your response, it is more clear to me the message she is trying to lay down. It kind of makes you step back and actually see the art behind the video.
I agree some people cant handle the truth
1. In the song Formation by Beyonce, the message or theme seems broad but correlates with African American or the African American culture. One can see the message being presented by paying close attention to the lyrics and the visuals she gives in the video.
2. Like a picture, almost any visual could mean a thousand words. To most, they’ll see it as that African American women need to ” Get in Formation” and aid one another.
3. The way Matsoukas helped Beyonce convey those messages or themes, is by providing a visual to the audience. Examples such as the kid dressed in black dancing in front of the police, then the police puts their hand up. also, the graffiti on the wall saying “Stop Shooting us.”
4. One rhetorical device that she uses in her song is the most obvious one that deals with the hurricane disaster; you can find visual examples starting at ( 0:19). Another rhetorical device she uses is the attention on police brutality; this visual can be found at ( 4:20 ).
5. I believe that the whole song can be portrayed as controversial. Although we do not have word from mouth on the exact message she is trying to send in making this song or even the music video; we can infer that the message is guided toward uniting African American women, police brutality, and natural disasters.
Hello Jeremiah,
I do agree that a picture/ visual is a representation of a thousand words. And I was also going to talk more deeper about the “stop shooting us” part of the video which I liked that you added.
Hi Jeremiah,
Unfortunately, I strongly disagree with your idea that Beyonce is attempting to “unite” black women! I’m not sure of your background however I’ll assume you’re male. If you closely listen to the lyrics (or if you listen to any other songs) you’ll adhere to the idea that black men are bad for black woman. The idea that black man are unfaithful and not loyal to their partner. Would you agree? Hopefully, not. Statistics show that women make up 70% of the world population while males evidently make up the remaining 30%. Statistics and individuals also show that women are taught to be independent and not need a man while still desiring one or having one. Men are taught to be the caretaker of the whole set! Children and wife no matter what. Men are also deemed weak when they cannot “commit” to these sexist expectations. However, as I mentioned in my conversation response, Beyonce sings “when he f*** me good I take his a** to Red Lobster”. Why would it take a WIFE to receive pleasing to her EXPECTATIONS in order for her to desire pleasing her man?
1. Beyoncé wrote the song formation because it’s a song that represents her pride in her heritage, women’s empowerment, and black lives matter. It was also released in February which is known to be black history month. It’s also a calling for people to know their self-worth and to ‘touch’ her listeners with her ideas.
2. The theme and messages are very different from my 1st initial reaction while listening to it since I didn’t see the deeper meaning of it and only thought of it as a good song.
3.Melina Matsoukas directed the music video for Beyonce’s “Formation” and played an important role in helping Beyonce convey the messages and themes of the song. An example of how Matsoukas helped Beyonce with the video was when Matsoukas uses symbolic images to communicate deeper meanings. For instance, Beyonce and a group of dancers are shown in front of a line of police officers in one scene, and the policemen finally raise their hands in surrender. In the midst of police violence and racial injustice, this picture serves as a potent symbol of resistance and a plea for justice.
4.In her song “Formation,” Beyonce uses a number of emotive language and rhetorical devices to make her point and give her songs more power. Here are a few illustrations:
Imagery: Beyonce employs rich visuals to create a picture of the environment she is portraying throughout the song. She sings, “I like my baby hair, with baby hair and afros / I like my negro nose with Jackson Five nostrils,” for instance, in the chorus. In this line, black beauty is celebrated while the society’s ideals of beauty that prioritize Eurocentric traits are rejected.
Repetition: As a kind of empowerment and self-affirmation, the line “I slay” is repeated repeatedly throughout the song. Beyonce wants her audience to feel powerful and self-assured by repeating this line.
5. Beyonce’s “Formation” song and video became controversial because of the political messaging and cultural appropriations that were shown in it. For example, Strong political message is present in both the song and the music video, challenging the current quo and speaking out against systematic racism, police brutality, and other problems that affect the black community. Some people who didn’t agree with Beyonce’s viewpoints or thought that she was becoming overly political found her message to be problematic.
The messages that Beyonce has expressed through the song and video for “Formation” is unfortunate. Beyonce has attempted to teach the idea that black females only encounter bad black men which requires us to be so “strong”. As a black woman myself, I completely disagree. Any woman can encounter a “bad man” and countless amounts o times. This was not my initial reaction to this video/song. I grew up loving Beyonce. However I learned so much about her that I am opposed to. Being me, I was fully pleased with the song and video at first. There was so much energy and dancing. I’m studying the world a bit more on today and I’ve learned that feminism only creates more negativity for woman. There’s no way I’m going to take advice from an individual that takes part it that of what Beyonce does. Matsoukas helped Beyonce convey those messages drastically. In little time, there were cop cars that portrayed the wrong idea, which were sinking in water. Matsoukas granted Beyonce the opportunity to ruin minds and try to implement her agenda onto the black female society. This will only enable her to continue to create music pushing the wrong idea that some will sing enough to believe. Beyonce has taken advantage of both emotive language and rhetorical devices. “Prove to me you got some coordination, slay chick or you get eliminated” is an example of rhetorical devices. Beyonce is forcing her audience to adjust to her standards and requirements/expectations in order to “prove” to her that were on board. She wants viewers to think like she does so that they can eventually react to their personal situations with the same attitude ad if they do not, they’re not on board. “When he f*** me good, I take his a** to Red Lobster” is another example. Beyonce I a wife, with hat being said, there’s no reason her man has to do something appealing to her in order for her to desire doing something special for him. She’s used a form of manipulation in order to desire pleasing her partner, Jay-Z. Unfortunately, she attempting to have black females think it’s necessary to have personal expectations of individuals whom we have no plan to please without them having to ask for it. I believe the song became controversial due to its exploitation of false understanding of what black females endure I’m relationships. The song has an erotic display while utilizing too many sentimental topics.
Beyonce’s message is female empowerment even thru tragedy.New Orleans was recovering from a natural disaster .
Beyonce pays respect to her ansectors capturing distinctively beautiful backgrounds such as an old slave home.
The messages are very similar to my initial reactions and thoughts ; Beyonce wanted to be very clear on her political views.
Matsoukas help beyonce bring her mental visual to real time. Matsoukas worked on short notice and produced great work
Finding the Ansector home and creating a realistic scene, to help get Beyonce’s message across
“The best revenge is your paper”
meaning get them back by building your revenue ;exceptional financial l success $
“I got hot sauce in my bag”
meaning she is still in tune with her roots and ethnic sauces despite her success
you can take girl out the hood , but u cant take the hood out the girl
critics assumed Beyonce was using Louisiana as a form of financial clout.