To some, Carter’s performance seemed business as usual. Fierce dance moves, mane blowing in the wind, incredible vocals. What else is new?
“I think “Formation” was a piece of art as a statement very similar to Kendrick Lamar’s recent performance at the Grammy’s,” Sarah Carter, office of student diversity, said. “I think we’re at a really important crossroads in our pop culture and we need to make sure that we are celebrating the inclusion of all voices.”
However, some were offended by the performance. Guardian.com deemed Beyonce’s new video, “the most radical political statement from the superstar in her 20-year career.”
The video contained images of graffiti that read “stop shooting us,” police putting their hands in the air as well as Bey sitting on top of a drowning cop car.
However, the video is also true to Carter’s roots, taking viewer’s through a journey of her past, which is unknown to many.
Is “Formation” simply a form of art or something bigger?
“Formation is a form of art because Beyonce is express- ing past and present forms of oppression experienced by her culture,” sophomore psychology major Alijah Broadnax said. “This is no different than any other artist in today’s culture.”
According to a poll posted on Twitter, 60 percent of users felt that Beyonce’s video was not controversial, 13 percent felt that the video was maybe slightly controversial and 27 percent felt that the video was definitely controversial.
“I really don’t think that there is anything offensive about the video. Many people were upset about the young boy dancing with his hands in the air and the picture of the slogan “stop shooting us,” junior elementary and special ed Major Becca Healy said. “I think that Beyonce was addressing a very pressing social issue that more people need to understand the severity of.”
Recently, the Saturday Night Live video “The Day Beyonce Turned Black” went viral and made a very pow- erful statement to white America.
The video made it very evident that Beyonce’s video and performance was not meant for white America. “Formation” is celebrating black culture and was released very appropriately during Black History Month.
“I think that Beyonce’s Super Bowl performance and video was brilliant. When we create things, whether its by painting a picture, writing a song or writing a poem it comes from a very personal place,” Carter said. “This artwork stems from our personal memories, passion and experiences. We as a society should be celebrating that.”
