Beyonce on Feminism : Beyonce's Lyrics and Music Video's 'GIRLS' (By Harveen Bahia)

The year of 2011 Mrs. Carter let the world know who “run’s the world”, its an anthem for women who aren’t afraid to have it all, being powerful, driven, smart, sexy, can be independent successful women in the workplace and then go home to their partners getting down to some business making babies. It is evident in the lyrics “how we’re smart enough to make these millions, strong enough bear the children then get back to business.” Beyoncé has created a historical perspective on global female leadership; women can be powerful and can bask in their sexuality, femininity, and confidence without jeopardizing their authority, as she aggressively fights with the opposite sex fiercely, making them bow down and to show some respect to us women. Backing her claim of gender equality, Beyonce gave recent interview "I do believe in equality and that we have a way to go and it’s something that’s pushed aside and something that we have been conditioned to accept." In each scene of the video she shows her female dominance and leadership, first by straddling a powerful horse and dominating the animal, then taking the lead of wild hyenas who are under her command, which is quite symbolic for the video and lyrics. Her video clearly stands to that testimony, while she’s busting out African dance movements twisting those hips, it reminds us women that its okay to "run this mother f***er" and to appreciate what god gave us, to love our bodies and be proud to move those hips and show case our multidimensionality and sexiness in public. According to Beyonce “my persuasion can build a nation”, basically she is saying we women are unstoppable. She visually shows women of different nationality and body type uniting to become empowered females, ready to tear these men down. Even I am feeling empowered listening and watching the video, it brings my alter ego out. I could run this world and compete with a men in the workplace. However not all women see Beyoncé’s video as a connection between real life and theory, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste and so is a perfectly good video that doesn't match the song. Despite the declarations in the lyrics and the unrelated hotness of the video it's a still a man's world, and it will always be as long as women think their vaginas are where their power lies.” (Essence editor Demetria Lucas) However I disagree with this view because at least Mrs Carter is able to enforce confidence in young women who to want to achieve something “I’m reppin’ for the girls who taking over the world, help me raise a glass for the college grads.” Her hair whipping doesn’t take away from the importance of her message. One thinks, it’s about high time that someone in the music industry compliments us hard working women, working in male dominated sectors. We shan’t forget that is a popstar her image/brand is obviously important for her career, so attracting the male gaze is only doing wonders for her career as it allows both sexes to be influenced by her message.’ This video has been so influential that women and young girls have emulated it.