Beyonce: A Celebration of Her Brightest Movements
Beyonce is doing it again! The singer’s foundation. BeyGOOD is ready to give away $5,000 grants to people who face evictions. Isn’t she just too good to be true?
While the star is known for her impressive catalogue of work in the industry, she’s far more than just a musician. And it’s something she’s proven time and again over the years.
Beyonce has never shied away from expressing her views on weighty topics, be it racism, misogyny, environmental issues – you name it and she’s taken a stand concerning the issue. And on countless occasions, she’s been praised for kickstarting some of the most powerful movements out there.
So, while her music will always strike a chord with generations to come, we’ve decided to dig a little deeper into the artist. And so, we’re looking back on all the times she’s been an advocate for social justice.
Photo Credits: Beyonce Official Instagram/ Getty Images
Beyonce Gives It Back To The Community!
1. Beyonce’s always been one to stand up for women and her performance at the 2014 MTV VMAs proved just so. Taking lines from the brilliant author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s essay, Beyonce had “We Should All Be Feminists” plastered on the screen behind her. Need anything more be said?
Photo Credit: Jason LaVeris
2. Time after time, Beyonce has condemned police brutality against black Americans. Be it through social media, her art or even by attending public rallies, she takes every opportunity she gets to stand up to this cause.
3. Circling back to the topic of feminism, may we remind you that Beyonce’s made countless songs on the subject. Take ‘Single Ladies’, it’s all about embracing oneself, relationships aside. One glance at the lyrics of ‘Pretty Hurts’ and you’ll see that it’s all about the endless stereotypes surrounding women. ‘Run The World’, well, this track speaks for itself.
4. When Hurricane Harvey ravaged Texas and Louisiana, Beyoncé, being a Houston native, took hurricane relief efforts a step further. She went down to Houston to meet with some of the families affected by the hurricane. She and her mother also served food to the victims of the disaster during their trip.
5. A lot of Beyonce’s music videos are more than a string of aesthetically pleasing frames. Each frame is also making a statement. Take her video for the track “Formation”, for example. It challenges social norms, and forces viewers to think about the black experience in a new way.
6. Beyonce initiated the Greenprint Project – which highlights the positive effect veganism can have on the environment. She encouraged fans to join the efforts and in return, they got the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to win 30 years worth of tickets.
7. In February 2017, Beyoncé spoke out against the withdrawal of protections for transgender students in public schools. She joined a long string of celebrities voicing their support for transgender youth.
8. If ya’ll didn’t know, Beyonce’s a staunch supporter of Hillary Clinton.
She headlined for Clinton in a concert held the weekend before Election Day. In a brief speech at this performance Beyoncé said, “I want my daughter to grow up seeing a woman lead our country and knowing that her possibilities are limitless.”
9. In 2013, Beyonce publicly endorsed same-sex marriage, and has even spoken up against bills that have discriminated against the LGBTQ community.
10. And to end on a high note, a British publication once described the phenomenon that is Beyonce in the most apt manner possible, “So much more than a popstar, Beyonce has become an outspoken advocate for civil rights, feminism and self-expression, proving that it’s possible to be politically engaged and still hold down an extremely successful career in mainstream entertainment.”
By: Aatira Kakroo
