Beyoncé, a pop culture icon, has great influence over the media and millions of fans all over the world. Her image is that of what many consider the “ideal woman”. She is beautiful, curvy, fit, light skinned for a black woman, talented, charitable, etc. Being a powerful female public figure, though, does this send a bad image to those who follow her? Is she complying to high,  unobtainable standards that fit a desired mold in society? Is she really a feminist  as she claims to be? It’s debatable among many people.

I think a woman such as Beyoncé is empowering. She exudes confidence. I think she inspires young women to obtain that same pride without sending the message that you have to “look like this”, but just love yourself. It can  be argued that she is sexualizing herself, and that she shouldn’t, but where does it put us if we tell a grown woman she shouldn’t look or act a certain way? Bell Hooks believes her to be a “terrorist on feminism” or “anti-feminist”, but I think that implies a certain conservatism that women should embody, where as women should be free to make the choices they want to with their body.

I think Beyoncé breaks the double-standard. With her dress attire, her raunchy lyrics, and her lifestyle. Women are often told they can’t be “sexual”, where as men drop rap songs all about sex and objectifying women. That’s the “norm”, but god forbid a woman does it. A woman shouldn’t be shamed if they want to do the same and make money off it. I think she redefines gender roles. She has a family, she works hard, and she’s a boss. She has her own style and doesn’t seem to shame other women who contrast.

I believe that supporting other females’ decisions is an important part of being a feminist. If we are criticizing a woman’s attitude or choices, that puts us two steps back in the wrong direction. Unless somebody is being outright sexist or degrading others, I don’t find anyone in the place to make judgments or call for action against somebody. A man can do only so many things wrong and get criticized for it, where the list for a woman is endless. Everyone is entitled to their own freedom of expression.

We also have to keep in mind she is an adult. Maybe some young girls can get the wrong idea of how to look or how to act, but I’m not sure how much that is imposed compared to maybe someone age-relatable, maybe like Kylie Jenner. Even then, maybe that is not the problem. Maybe we should give young kids courses in media literacy to train how they interpret these messages and figures. We shouldn’t have to change people because others interpret them negatively.