Beyoncé: “Blackface” Controversy. The Stans Defend! [Fans]
![AfricanQueen02 Beyoncé: Blackface Controversy. The Stans Defend! [Fans]](http://www.beyoncefan.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/AfricanQueen02.jpg "Beyoncé: Blackface Controversy. The Stans Defend! [Fans]")
I think this uncalled for drama is absolutely ridiculous! Some of us including myself, still don’t understand why people are upset and what exactly is wrong with Beyoncé representing the African culture in her latest photo shoot with L’Officiel Magazine. Well a close Twitter Friend of mines posted a note of her entire take on this “controversy” which I would like to share. I can say that I feel the exact same way! Please leave your comments and thoughts about the note or your take on this whole drama. We shall stand by Bey!
Read the note after the jump!
The recent commentary on Beyonce’s March 2011 L’Officiel magazine cover is being taken way too far. I usually keep it quiet when it comes to media nonsense, especially when it comes to Beyonce. But this time I’m opening my mouth because the ignorance is at an all time high! The controversy is over some of the photographs taken for the magazine that feature Beyonce sporting what some are calling a “blackface” look. The fact that the theme of the photo shoot was to pay homage to African queens through the ages was announced by Beyonce’s publicist and people who worked on the shoot. That shouldve put an end to any assumptions beforehand, but memory at times can be selective. Based on that concept Beyonce was styled in lavish designs and tribal prints. Animal patterns, intricate design and beadwork, rich colors and strong silhouettes were all incorporated into the shoot. The footage of the shoot shows Beyonce working with the photographer to capture the movements and rhythm of the African culture. In recent months Beyonce has expressed an interest in African culture, after listening to the sounds of Fela Kuti, and seeing the vivid life and energy of his culture. While Beyonce was photographed in several different outfits for the spread, the shots showing her with her face darkened are getting the most attention. Instead of being looked at as a form of art and homage, the shots are being looked at as racist, and as a form of depreciation of the African American race. This commentary isn’t solely stemming from African American people, it is stemming from Caucasians, Hispanics, and many other racial groups.
It’s really sad to see that even with Barack Obama as President of the United States, there is still so much ignorance amongst American citizens, and people as a whole. Being a woman of color, I do realize why some people may be upset by the images. I realize where the sensitive areas are, and I do sypmathize with that somewhat. But it is also easy to dislike or disapprove of what you don’t understand. But that doesn’t make it right. Comparisons are being made to slavery, plantations, masters, and civil rights protests. All of that? Over a magazine photo shoot. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, and art is often left to be interpreted by the viewer. But don’t sit up here and point all the blame at Beyonce as if she committed a crime. Let’s not forget, Beyonce is a woman of color as well. Never should the color of her skin be what determines her race! Now the comments about her being too fair skinned, and not being dark enough to even count as a black woman are in the foreground. That’s pure ignorance. When it comes to her body structure, no one was complaining about the “black” features that she has. But when it’s her complexion everyone is in an uproar? Disgusting. – Not to mention that in the 2006 film Dreamgirls, Beyonce was also made up to be a darker complexion for a particular scene. That didn’t receive nearly as much criticism. Just a few weeks ago at the Grammy Awards, everyone jumped on her for being “too light” and being just as fair as Caucasian actress Gwyneth Paltrow. The very next day, she was picked apart for being far too pale when she was spotted dining out in Los Angeles. A few years ago the controversy over her complexion in a L’Oreal ad made headlines. Even years before that in 2005 the spread that she did for her cover issue of Vanity Fair received nasty comments, based on her complexion.
It’s an image driven society that we live in. Celebrities are nipped and tucked on magazine covers to be what the sponsoring company sees as acceptable. This controversy goes to show that you can’t please everyone. and what’s even more sickening is that something as simple as a skin complexion can take away from all the other aspects of a person. Beyonce isn’t successful because of her race, or her skin color. She is successful because of her TALENT. It so happens that her outer beauty aids her in most cases, due to the image based society we live in.
This is no different than the six letter N word! When a white person or person other than a black person says it, the culture is in an uproar. But these are the same people who will embrace each other and greet each other with that same word. If something is right, it’s right no matter who does it. The same way that if something is wrong, it’s wrong no matter who does it.
I also feel that because this is Beyonce, people are giving it that much more attention. There are wars going on, people dying, and hungry all over the world, but the media would rather try to bring down Beyonce? That’s a problem. When a certain rapper proclaimed his love for lighter skinned women and his dissapproval of “dark butts” did he get ragged to pitts?…maybe by a handful of people. And that wasnt a photoshoot, song, or anything. it was pure commentary of his own in an interview. He went on to discuss the darker womens features and hair quality, explaiing why he felt lighter skinned women were better. So how do you have the audacity to try and slander Beyonce’s name when all she did was a take a high fashion photo? Please. If you don’t like the shoot, don’t look at it. No one is forcing you. If you feel that Beyonce wasn’t the one who should ve been chosen to do the shoot, then who do you recommend? If a white person did this, it would ve been even more controversial. Beyonce didn’t slander the African American culture. If anything she brought light to the beauty of the African culture. There was always a light skinned, verses darker skinned battle. Many young girls, and even older women felt inferior to their lighter skinned friends, even within the same race. Beyonce is showing that darker skin is just as beautiful. But rather than seeing that, everyone would rather rag her just for the sake of ragging her.
I can only imagine that if Beyonce would’ve done this shoot without the darkened skin shots, the commentary would’ve been ‘Beyonce is too light to even look African! What is she doing? She cant be everything!” but when she she darkens her skin the commentary is “Beyonce knows she is over doing it she is too dark in those shots! What is she doing! She cant be everything!”. So WHAT then? What is she supposed to do? People wont be happy either way!
Overall I think its sad, disgusting and a waste of time. Trying to boycott her music and other entertainment ventures? Stop. We finally have a talented, empowering, African American female in the entertainment field is this is what we do with her? Everybody moans and groans about how African culture is neglected and forgotten, you get a tribute and throw a hissy fit? PLEASE! Everybody just GROW UP! While you’re being ignorant, the world is still spinning. Call them what you want, the shots are beautiful, and iconic. Your ignorance is only giving her more buzz. While you’re sitting up here googling the images to make hate pages, and show blatant disrespect…there are plenty more people who are appreciating the art…This is not disrespect to black people, glorification of white people or anything like that, It’s the revealing of your own ignorance and depreciation of your culture by showing the ignorance you choose to represent. With all that said, much love to all the open minded, intelligent, beautiful African American women, men, and people of ALL shades and complexions.
by Veronica D aka Stylist_Lady
See that is what I am talking about . I am a very proud brown skinned woman . Whenever someone ask for my ethnic background I tell them exactly what I am . I am asian , caucasian , african american , creole and I honestly could go on because my family within 2 generations on both mother and father sides are so culturally diverse . Within the few that I said people would honestly stare at me as if I longed to be that culture or race . I was actually asked to share proof that I was of those ethnic backgrounds. Since I am so diverse I consider myself multi-cultured , but apparently to everyone else I am view as only “Black” . I catch offense because they are only considering me as african american due to my complexion. My complexion does not determine my culture . Just because I am not the color of my grandmother does not mean I am any less hers . Yes my grandmother is pure asian . But I am not ! Don’t judge me by who you view me as , judge me as I am . This is a loaded topic , and I could honestly go on , but I’m going to stop .
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It’s really ridiculous
Especially when you know that many things in the usa and europe,
are originally from africa.
Are these discussions, something we should be proud of as western people…
I decided to post this website to give some insight on The History of BlackFace http://black-face.com
I am not offended by Beyonce’s use of Black Face, because 1. She is African American & most importantly, 2. It was done tastefully and not in a derogatory way.
The history of Black Face originates from Slavery during a time that Africans were beaten, murdered, raped, humiliated, & stolen from their country because of the color of their skin. They were taught and believed that they were second class citizens who then, and even in modern day American, do not share the same equal and/or civil rights as White Americans.
So when People criticized Beyonce about wearing BlackFace it does originate from that era of Slavery, Reconstruction, Jim Crow, Civil Rights and Modern Day America. Even today we have “Ministrel” shows on television from Flava Flav’s Flavor of Love, Rap videos (that exploit and degrade Black Women), and BET (Black Entertainment Television). Although we live in a different era, the same foolery exists in Modern Day.
Beyonce’s Black Face is to honor her African heritage, to Celebrate African Queens, and to pay homage to Fela Kuti. From speaking with many Nigerians they are really upset because not ALL Nigerians are dark-skinned! We as People of Color are so infatuated with color. Another chain of Slavery that we will never break! When will we realize that Black is Beautiful and just celebrate or rich history?
During Slavery, a man named Willie Lynch (A Slave Owner from the Caribbean) taught American Masters how to control the slaves. His teachings would stand the test of time. He taught slave owners how to divide and conquer the slave.
So Slaves were separated by their Color (amongst other things e.g. hair, features, body shape & size). The darker slaves worked in the fields, under the heavy sun, from dusk til dawn, while the lighter slaves worked in the house, close to the Slave Owner, they ate better and dressed better. Even then, the lighter slaves thought they were better than the darker slaves because of the treatment they received from their White Slave owner.
So to understand the criticism Beyonce is receiving from her BlackFace photo is to understand history. Its not entirely about disliking or Hating on Beyonce but understand the historical connotations that her picture depicts.
Beyonce is a global figure so anything she does: good or bad, will receive media attention. When you know your history, then you can defend and articulate how Beyonce’s photo differs from the derogatory, degrading and despicable films and photos of White Actors.
As a Young, African American Female, I encourage and promote thinking for oneself. Stop letting the media control how you think and how you feel about People of Color. Beyonce is our Queen and we should never allow anyone to tear her down!
i can not belive it.
i love beyonce and i am so proud of her for what ever she does:)
i really dont understand all this bullshit, the pictures are beautiful and they truly express the meaning of this shoot, if you listen to the photographer words about what she meant with this shoot. Beyoncé is a black womam who represents african americam women and shows the african culture, i really dont see why there is all this controversy about a black face which only shows african culture by clothes and coloreffects on B’s skin. I actually think this is one of the most amazing shoots she did last years. People should really shut their mouthes about this, because they really dont understand what it is about. These pictures are no reason for controversy, the pictures are true art.
Stand up for life, stand up for love, stand up for Beyoncé!
Black people in Africa paint their faces. The dark color was not her trying to be darker it was paint on her face like the Africans do. She also had blue on her face, does that mean she wants to be in avatar?? this is ridiculous.
Excellent review. I agree 100%! Work it, Bey
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Listed below are links to data on the Historical MYTH
of a Color-Based / Slave-Role HIERARCHY — as well
as the Urban LEGEND of Paper-Bag, Blue-Vein and
Other Allegations of Features-Based Entry ‘TESTS’:
.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/4153
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/4154
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/2885
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/2511
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/1400
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ONLINE LINEAGE-DISCUSSION GROUPS / COMMUNITIES:
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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MGM-Mixed
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FGM-Mixed
http://www.youtube.com/user/APGifts
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