She's extraordinary and I have to breakdown the reasons why this had such a profound effect on me:
1. Black Women
"Let them know we're real!" Danai Gurira.
King Bey was the first African-American woman to headline Coachella. The first. In 2018. *judging sigh* The milestone meant that Beyoncé could have done anything. And what she truly did was raise black women up in the same loving way she did in Lemonade. She handpicked everyone. The majority of her dancers are black women and after taking note of criticisms, black women of a variety of sizes and shapes. You wouldn't understand unless you're black how we look for someone who looks like us in everything. If I watch Ice Skating, I'll look for another Surya Bonaly. (Not that another Surya exists!) but I'll look for a dark skinned black woman. I'll look for any black woman to be fair. In football. On television reality shows. In soap operas, We've been hidden for so very, depressingly, long it means the world that we are visible. Carefree. Having an absolute blast. Front and freakin' centre. Playing instruments. Dancing. Singing. You cannot miss any of us. We are glossy, beautiful and we are here.
2. HBCUs
"It was more important that I brought our culture to Coachella." Beyoncé.
As a Brit, for the longest, all I wanted to do was live in America and be a female Blair Underwood in LA Law. I mean I sort of am Blair Underwood in LA Law now, with LK Bennett dresses and Mulberry shoes but the law isn't even a 1/100th as sexy as that show; but the idea of going to a college/university and being surrounded by other black people and not having to be wary about what you say or how you act to meet a certain standard or to not be judged in a particular way, held such sway. If the fees weren't insane, I'd have talked my parents into it. Believe me! Beyoncé didn't go to a HBCU either. She was being an international superstar. In my author sisters, I've seen the pride in the sororities, I've seen the steppers, the formations with the marching bands. The precision and the talent and the intelligence and power in the spaces that were created for young black men and women to excel and to have that celebrated genuinely brought tears to my eyes. For Beyoncé to create an entire show to celebrate HBCUs and let the entire world know about them is simply extraordinary.
3. Body Positivity
"I have to take care of my body." Beyoncé
Yes, my queen had two whole children and now has a thigh gap. It can be disheartening to know how much work she had to put into getting her body ready for the show, but she treated her body as an athlete would for competition. I didn't see her promoting eating pure oxygen for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but her cutting down to a most likely nutritionist approved plant based diet to help her shed the pounds in a short amount of time, to get her energies at a premium to perform a two hour show two days in a row and sing while performing and dancing (two separate things!) She openly admitted how she didn't think she would be the same and how she lacked confidence. Child birth changes so much about you as a woman - emotionally, mentally and physically. I was amazed to see her slowly but surely reclaim her confidence to flawlessly do what Beyoncé had set out to do. She also said she'd never push herself that hard again. Herself. Not the Beyhive. Not any young woman looking up to her. But herself. It was for her.
Another young woman, a dancer, added that she didn't think she'd be able to get back to dancing after she gave birth and yet, there she was, making history with one of the greatest artists ever. Another said she thought she was "too short, too thick" to be part of such a show. The show was full of positive body representations for everyone. Standing ovation for that.
4. Boss
"There's always something we can improve upon." Beyoncé
As a professional, and as a black woman, there will always be that sidelong glance when you're just that bit too loud, too aggressive, or you're talked over because someone knows better than you - right? To see that happen to Beyoncé, that she provided notes and they weren't applied and she had to tell her people to do it in the calmest, chilliest "get the fuck on with it" tone made me grin. That Virgo perfectionist. She's been doing this for 22 years. 22 years and you're not going to apply your boss's notes? Really? People are brave. You wouldn't dare call Beyoncé a bitch for gathering her folks together; same should apply to any black woman in a position of authority or even seniority. Respect shouldn't be relative to the melanin in your skin.
5. Friendship
"Give it up for my best friends!" Beyoncé
Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams have been part of Beyoncé's life forever. The importance of female friendships in all walks of life was ultimately highlighted by the unison, the harmonious prescence of those three women on stage. All of what they've experienced, their highs, lows, weddings, break ups, breakdowns, career milestones, babies. When you go through life, you want the people who know you best to be right next to you. To tell if you're wildin', to back you up, to lift you up, to give you a hug, to go on your multi-million dollar yacht for a week with you. I honestly feel so many lives would be ultimately improved by having a solid friend who you can just chat shit to. I get that Kelly and Michelle are that for Bey. I know Solange is more than a friend, she's Bey's little sister but she needs to be included in this section because their unity, their closeness is evident in the fact that perfectionist Beyoncé included them falling over in her video, rather than when they did it right! Having two male siblings, being close with them is a matter of work. You can love your family and not like them - and on stage, I see more than love between Solange and Beyoncé - I see love and friendship.
6. The Rise of Queen Blue
"I wanna do that again! Cause it feels good!." Blue Ivy
My favourite little girl in the world is my niece. Without doubt. Forever until she becomes an adult. It just is what it is. Blue Ivy took a look at that listing and said "Oh rily?" There she is on screen, singing, following dance moves with her immaculate braids, watching and learning from her mother. Being an all round icon and she ain't even seven yet. When your mother is Beyoncé and you have a front row seat to an insane work ethic and a dedication to you, your brother, your sister and your Dad? What else are you going to be but amazing? Don't worry Bubbie - you're rating is still 1. Promise!
7. Music
"SING! LOUDER!" Beyoncé
When I found out Beyoncé was headlining Coachella, I knew it'd be incredible. I didn't know she'd do remixes and breakdowns and bring out Kelly and Michelle. I know I should have paid that £165 for those tickets in Ireland to see the OTR Tour. I've listened to the live version countless times and you cannot keep me still. I am dancing, I'm singing along, I am reminiscing as most of these songs (the old ones) are full of great memories in my life. Now I'm learning different choreography for them all because a bitch has to be dedicated now. The live band, trumpets man, the drumming, the singing, the gospel influence (black church on a Sunday realness!)
Subtitles saved me because I've been singing so many of these songs so wrong. ***shame intensifies admitting this***
It will never not annoy me that Lemonade didn't receive the amount of awards it should have done. It's a magical love letter to black women. Our struggles. Our healing. Our love. It deserved every accolade possible.
Enough of my own love blog to Beyoncé. I simply think she's extraordinary and should be lauded as such. Whenever you're back in London, King, I'll be there. With a credit card, coz, goddamn...
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