
Police brutality has come up as one of this nation’s most controversial and ongoing issues over the course of the last several years. Beyoncé has since created a politically-charged music video that is catching the eyes of many viewers. The main idea of both the song and video is to display to listeners and viewers that Beyoncé is proud to be from the south, regardless of the violence that have been occurring- which she has acknowledged through both her lyrics and the visual imagery of the music video of the song “Formation.” She is empowering the people affected by the Black Lives Matter Movement by invoking and displaying just how volatile the topic is when it comes to matters of equality. Beyoncé is taking a stand against police brutality, which is something not many other artists have done, and is the main reason this video has become so trendy. In Beyoncé’s music video “Formation,” the artistic choices are blunt and forward, while also purposefully evoking emotion in viewers, as it is directed at specific audiences. 

The first scene of Beyoncé’s music video of her song “Formation,” opens with Beyoncé lounging on top of a New Orleans’s police car. The background of the set appears to be in a city (New Orleans) that is directly affected by police brutality protests. She is standing over the police dominating it, a clear strike at police forces. The car is slowly sinking into the water which leads the viewer to believe that the Black Lives Matter protest is ruling over the police authority. It is extremely significant that she is confidently standing over the cop car because it suggests that Beyoncé is taking a stand, approves of the protest, and will not back down to any form of authority. The music video very clearly shows her views and opinions in regards to what has been occurring in not just New Orleans, but many cities across the nation.

The final scene of the music video is the same exact as the first, except this time, the cop car is completely submerged into the water. Beyoncé is no longer standing on top of the car and is instead laying on top, also being dragged underneath. The setting of the scene remains constant with almost no background movement, which is significant because it directs the focus to the cop car with little distraction. It is obvious that the creator of this music video wanted viewers to pay attention to the New Orleans’s police car only. The car is the direct focus of the scene which draws all viewers to the police car and especially Beyoncé on top of it. As she sinks with the car, she has little to no facial expression, to show that she too is negatively affected by police brutality. There is no struggle and it seems that Beyoncé is at peace going down with it. It as if the sinking cop car is what she wants. 

While the meaning of this scene is not directly obvious, it can be interpreted in a few different ways. When Beyoncé initially addressed the press, she stated that her music video was not an “anti-police” campaign, and that she is not against police force, however, she is against police brutality (www.usatoday.com). It is noted though, that there are very clear hidden messages throughout the music video in its entirety. The video contains overt and evident strikes at police authority. Beyoncé’s actions on top of the car condemn police force while also potentially symbolizing a rebirth of sorts. It denotes her feeling powerful, even through all the racism. She is confident in her actions and beliefs and she wants the public eye to know that. 

Beyoncé spends a large majority of the video celebrating her Black culture, instead of shying away from it. This is important and empowering for the African-American community, especially at a time like this. Having Beyoncé, an extremely well-known and attributed celebrity, address the movement in her music video, creates even more of a reason for those involved to continue to fight and stand up for what they believe in. As the music video runs through, every so often the sinking police car scene reappears, and each time, the car sinks deeper and deeper into the water. At the end, when the car is completely submerged, Beyoncé is laying on top of it beneath the surface of the water. This symbolizes the fact that officers are bringing down the spirits of those involved in this movement and that even though Beyoncé does not live in New Orleans, she too is affected.

While creating this music video, it is clear the director made certain artistic choices to attract specific audiences. It is notable that Beyoncé released this music video not to condemn police force and authority, but to empower those affected by the Black Lives Matter Movement to stand for what they believe in, and most importantly, display her disapproval of police brutality. Rather than asserting violence, Beyoncé gets her point across very clearly in a peaceful way. The approach Beyoncé takes by calmly going down with the cop car signifies the positive effect peaceful protests have on an issue, rather than promoting violent protests. The author is very clearly trying to draw in the attention of those directly affected. In addition, this music video could also be an advertisement for individuals who are not completely aware of what is going on in certain parts of the country. 

It is definite that different emotions come about throughout this music video. Due to the upbeat nature of the song, it becomes an inspiration for viewers to want to go out and fight for what they believe in. On the other hand, it could potentially incite anger in viewers because it is displaying the inflicted destruction and hatred. The biggest motivation and reason for arousal of the conflicting emotions would be the very clear contrast of tone and mood between the two scenes. In the first scene, the viewer is feeling inspired and confident in their actions. There is a feeling of anger in this specific scene that draws the viewers in and makes them want to become more involved in the protests. As the video progresses to the second scene, the tone and mood quickly change to something a little less motivational, and a lot more hostile. As Beyoncé sinks, down with the police car, the mood and tone become very harsh and essentially instill anger in a lot of the viewers who feel directly connected to police brutality issues. She even goes as far as to stick her middle finger out at the camera, just to solidify how furious she truly is. Without the contrasting tone and mood, it is likely that the viewer’s emotions would not be so strong. 

The music video creates a clear controversy that has upset many viewers. As Beyoncé states through her lyrics, these cities are where she was born and raised, therefore she feels a strong connection to these individuals, triggering her desire to fight for and with them. Working with the director of the music video, she has made strategic and artistic choices that empower and encourage those affected by the protests to continue to do what they are doing.  

The Black Lives Matter movement has come about and is powerful and strong. Those that stand and protest for this movement are confident in their actions and will risk their lives for it. Motivation and determination might at times seem to be running dry for Black Lives Matter activists, however their negative attitudes can be changed by watching this video because Beyoncé is promoting peace, but is nevertheless continuing to stand up for them. Having Beyoncé create this video to the song “Formation” will build their spirits right back up, which is something that has been much needed. Regardless of the true meaning of the video that viewers may never know, Beyoncé has still drawn a lot of energy and attention to the movement, as she is proud of her culture and is fighting for everyone affected by the nationwide police brutality issues.  
