
Beyoncé has become one of the biggest stars in our culture in the past couple years. She has been nominated for more Grammys than any other woman and has been featured in Forbes’ most influential women several times (Wikipedia). In her latest album, “Lemonade”, Beyoncé attempted to make a visual album and judging from her song, “Formation,” she has greatly succeeded. Beyoncé uses her music video “Formation” to discuss police brutality, her black heritage, and Hurricane Katrina through various images and lyrics.

In the first couple images of the music video, Beyoncé sets the scene. The very first image is her sitting on a waterlogged police car. It then turns to a man with a light up grill, the back of a police jacket, a few New Orleans’ neighborhoods, a preacher and flooded homes. This puts us, the viewer, in these troubled neighborhoods with police lurking. In the final scenes, Beyoncé shows a young child in a black hoodie dancing in front of a line of police officers. When the boy finishes, the officers respond by putting their hands up while he is still there. Beyoncé uses this image to bring up recent violence between police officers and African Americans. Because of this recent violence, we expect the police to act violently towards the young boy but instead they put their hands up as if they are bowing to him, as an act of respect, and also likely are referencing the “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” movement. This movement was started when Trayvon Martin was killed. Beyoncé also has the boy wear a black hoodie because when Trayvon Martin was killed, he was wearing a black hoodie. 

The next image is a wall with graffiti reading. “Stop Shooting Us.” This image is pretty self-explanatory but clearly makes a strong statement, especially with the white wall and the black graffiti. In one of the final scenes, Beyoncé is shown again on the police car.  However, this time the car is sinking. This image is likely showing that the police cruiser is no match for Beyoncé’s force. Beyoncé uses this imagery because she felt strongly about the police violence towards African Americans recently and uses this imagery as an outlet to show her anger.

Beyoncé does not just talk about police brutality, but also her heritage. Beyoncé is proud to be not only an African American, but an African American woman. The first example of this comes when three young African American children come on the screen, one of them being Beyoncé’s daughter, Blue Ivy. Blue Ivy proudly stands up front and shakes her shoulders when Beyoncé says she likes “Her baby heir with baby hair and afros.” This is a direct reference to a historically black hairstyle, the afro. Then comes the image of Beyoncé and a few other women dressed up in old southern clothing. They are in a plantation house.  Instead of being afraid, they express pride about their heritage. You would think that if you were Beyoncé in this situation, you would be trying to get out of the plantation home as quickly as possible, but because she is in charge, Beyoncé is comfortable and content. Finally, Beyoncé comes on the screen with several men behind her. They are all wearing black and Beyoncé throws up two middle fingers. In my opinion, Beyoncé is saying that she does not care what anybody else says or thinks - - Beyoncé is expressing that she is who she is. She is showing off the fact that she is a strong African American woman and nobody can take that from her. Beyoncé uses this imagery to show off her African American heritage and demonstrate how proud she is to be an African American woman. 

The most obvious theme from “Formation” is Hurricane Katrina. In the very first scene, Beyoncé is seen on a police car floating in water. Additionally, an image of a house in the flood is shown. Both of these are clear references to Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the South. Beyoncé played a major role in helping those left homeless from the storm and donated upwards of seven million dollars ($7,000,000) (Wikipedia). By adding this imagery, it is Beyoncé’s way to remind the world of the devastation that was Hurricane Katrina - - devastation that a lot of people have long since forgotten. Beyoncé is proud to be from the South.  Beyoncé uses this imagery to show her appreciation of the South and how she wants people to remember the destruction that Hurricane Katrina brought and the effects that still remain today. 

Beyoncé is someone who everyone knows, which is why it is important for her to discuss these issues in our culture. She can have a huge impact in solving these issues.  Beyoncé has been criticized in the past for not using all the influence that she has to push for equality for African Americans and Women. In this music video, Beyoncé makes a clear stand through her lyrics and several visual elements. Beyoncé released this song during February, which is Black History Month, and just two days before her Super Bowl performance.  Beyoncé knew that it would create some controversy but also knew that it had to be done to send a clear message. 