Conversation 2 Aissata Diallo

In Beyonce’s song, “Formation”, I notice that she is responding to the degrading portrayal of black women and black society. She sheds an immense amount of emotion throughout the video, with her lyrics using numerous amounts of figurative language to portray her success as a black woman, even comparing herself to Bill Gates, the creator of Microsoft. She takes no shame or timidness in the fact that she is where she is today, once again being a black woman. She also seems to be responding to police brutality in the video, sinking the Louisiana police car and writing “stop shooting us” which I initially didn’t notice because I never paid attention to the video. Actually, when I first saw this video, I thought it would just be a regular dance video, never anticipating that there would be so many portrayals of black excellence. She takes the narrative of going against white people, using their own conventional images for us, against them, repeating them over and over but instead, in an empowering way. She highlights black features saying “I like my negro nose with Jackson Five nostrils”, ameliorating things that black people were once taught to be ashamed of and criticized for. 

Beyonce’s director, Matsoukas helps Beyonce portray her emotions, views and political stances through her music video, directing her in the way that seems most fit. Beyonce includes many personal experiences of her life into these videos and Matsoukas assists her in conveying those images. She helps turn Beyonce’s words and feelings into a cinematic and entertaining image.

Throughout the song, she uses repetitive language, emphasizing her success and influencing other black people saying “We slay”. She uses many euphemisms in an attempt to brighten black features and black stereotypes saying “I got hot sauce in my bag, swag”, calling herself reckless and possessive, using evaluative words like “cocky” that show us her pride in her race. Through this video, Beyonce is essentially using her wide platform and popularity to flip the narrative that degrades black people. Instead she urges us to take pride in ourselves, telling us to get into formation. I believe this song and video was so controversial due to the rebelliousness and the fact that such a highly respected celebrity finally spoke up for their people. Beyonce is known worldwide, and for her to be highlighting black excellence, goes against what the main media might want to see or hear.