Beyonce - Formation Flashcards
How does Formation challenge the stereotypical representations of ethnicity?
by placing black characters in the position of white colonials
How does Beyonce celebrate her own ethnic identity through the lyrics?
“My daddy Alabama, Momma Louisiana”
“Always stay gracious, best revenge is your paper”
“When he fuck me good, I take his ass to Red Lobster”
What theory can we apply to Formation?
Theories around ethnicity and Postcolonial Theory.
How does Formation reinforce division rather than integration?
By representing a range of racial issues
Name 2 intertextual references within the music video.
- Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans Flooding and the subsequent rise in racial tensions
- References to news footage of police confrontations of black people and the infamous shooting of young black influencer, Messy Maya
what is significant about the time in which this music video was released?
released a day before Beyonce’s Super Bowl performance to over 100 million people in February 2016
Why was the political landscape surrounding the time in which this music video released uneasy?
Obama’s second campaign was underway, close to finishing his second term in office. He was the first black president of the united states.
In what way does Beyonce challenge the stereotypical representations of women in the music industry.
Representation of Beyonce as a strong and empowered woman. key scene is where she is standing utop the police car in the flood.
In what way does Beyonce conform to the stereotypical representations of women in the music industry.
Representation of Beyonce as a sex object through clothing codes and provocative dance moves.
What theorist can be applied to Formation when looking through a feminist approach?
Van Zoonen - Feminist theory
Bell Hooks - Feminist theory
