Discussion 2.1In the article "Learning How to Code-Switch: Humbling, but Necessary," Eric Deggans describes his experiences with code switching. For your next discussion board, you should describe you

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Student Example #2

Beyoncé, Sex, and Controversy

Women in the music industry are constantly under intense scrutiny by the media as they are expected to present themselves in a certain manner. Noah Berlatsky touches upon this topic, in his article “Beyoncé, Sex Terrorist: A Menace for Conservatives and Liberals Alike”, by focusing specifically on how the media reacts to Beyoncé and her art. There is a pressure put on females in the industry to appear conservative, respectable, and put together otherwise they are viewed as both a bad role model and untalented. Berlatsky presents two different viewpoints of critics, who observe Beyoncé in a negative way, while presenting his own opinion on the situation. The harsh critiques and comments towards Beyoncé are a result of the fact that critics try to place all female musicians in predetermined categories. These preconceived notions towards females have detrimental effects as they result in women in the music industry being underrepresented, disrespected, and stereotyped.

The music industry is heavily dominated by males making it difficult for female vocalists to be heard. There are two main factors why women are not able to easily rise to the same level of fame as their male counterparts; the media insists on negatively critiquing them and the general public is unable to accept them. This harsh and unwarranted criticism towards Beyoncé is displayed by the comments of both Bill O’Reilly and bell hooks. Both appear to support the stereotypical belief that women must cover up and behave a certain way, while men are praised for the same type of behavior. According to Berlatsky’s article, both O’Reilly and hooks believe that Beyoncé fails at being a stellar role model because she chooses to pose in her underwear for magazines and create music videos that are deemed provocative. Berlatsky points out that by voicing their opinions, they manipulated Beyoncé and her message to promote their own agenda. These opinions result in the general public rejecting these musicians, making it difficult for them to be as successful as their male counterparts. While Beyoncé has reached a level of significant fame, it is much more difficult for females in other genres of music to succeed. Country music has recently been under fire as radio stations do not support and play female artists compared to the male musicians. Failing to accept and support female musicians as they are results in the music industry becoming an unequal workplace.

Women in the music industry are constantly under intense scrutiny and disrespected if they do not behave a certain way. In order for a woman in power or fame to be viewed as successful, she is expected to be clean, proper, and appropriate. If she dares to stray from these predetermined categorical boxes, then she is immediately torn apart by the mainstream media, the general public, and in some cases even the male population. Beyoncé chooses to test these boundaries with both her actions and her art, resulting in many rejecting her music. She has been known to add sexual appeal in both her music videos and her live performances as it is a part of her strong and empowered persona. Her doing so, however, results in some viewing her as too crude and inappropriate for the public eye, especially young women that admire and look up to her. In Berlatsky’s article, he states how hooks found Beyoncé to be anti-feminist and disempowered simply because she posed in her underwear for a magazine cover. Berlatsky states that by both critics focusing on their critiques of Beyoncé’s message, they are unable to recognize her as the true artist she is. They fail to view the situation from Beyoncé’s point of view, and instead choose to side with their own preconceived notions, thus ignoring her true empowering message.

The stereotypes placed on women result in a female artist being unable to present herself as sexy without risking the loss of her empowerment. In Beyoncé’s music video for her song “Partition”, she challenges the societal roles placed on black women, however, this is something hooks and O’Reilly failed to notice. She proves in the music video that women can present themselves in a sexual manner while still remaining both strong and independent. Berlatsky remarks how Beyoncé is able to prove that both O’Reilly and hooks opinions are inaccurate. Beyoncé’s portrayal of “black female eroticism” in “Partition” contradicts hook’s previous comments, as she expresses her strength through her sexuality (Berlatsky). Contrary to popular belief, Beyoncé’s usage of sex in her art conveys a deeper message that most fail to realize.

Berlatsky’s article effectively disputes the negative opinions of both O’Reilly and hooks in regards to Beyoncé and her music. He analyzes how her music video for “Partition” effectively expresses her views in regards to expressing sexuality and female empowerment. Many fail to share his view on Beyoncé, however, due to their preconceived beliefs of how women should behave, especially those that are in a position of power. These preconceived notions result in women in the music industry being underrepresented, disrespected, and stereotyped, thus making it difficult for them to truly share their message with the world.

Work Cited

Berlatsky, Noah. "Beyoncé, Sex Terrorist: A Menace for Conservatives and Liberals Alike." The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, 12 May 2014. Web. 27 June 2016.