I don’t know about you, but I find it a bit difficult to digest Beyonce’s comments on and support of #BanBossy, where the singer—who was recently a half-naked stripper in her latest music video—wants girls to ban the word “bossy” and encourages them to be leaders through a Public Service Announcement. I mean, I applaud her efforts to encourage young girls to become strong leaders, but really, Bey, when you are half-naked gyrating on a pole or humping the floor, how serious do you want young girls to take you and the so-called “wisdom” you share?
Perhaps it is the lyrics that stick in my mind. You know, Bey, your song, “Bow Down.” Perhaps you’ve forgotten, so let me remind you.
[From Verse 1]
I know when you were little girls
You dreamt of being in my world
Don’t forget it, don’t forget it
Respect that, bow down bitches
[From Verse 2]
I heard your boo was talking lip
I told my crew to smack that trick
Smack that trick, smack that trick
Guess what they did, smack that trick
So, Beyonce, or Ms. Queen B, are the little girls in the first verse (the ones you tell to “bow down bitches”) the same girls you are preaching to when you tell them to be strong leaders and ban the word “bossy” – how about banning the words “bow down bitches” from your own vocabulary first. This is one of those times when you have someone else support a cause on your behalf, because whether it is an act or not, your music and stage presence do not allow you to be portrayed in the light you should be when lecturing young girls on things like respect. While we’re talking about words, perhaps you should research the word “hypocrite.”
Selecting Beyonce for this Public Service Announcement is satire at its best. There are so many amazing, strong women that can offer a more genuine plea for young girls to use their minds and inner strength to become the next leaders. The fact that Beyonce is adored by many, that the POTUS wishes he was Jay-Z, and that she’s sold millions of records, does not make her a spokesperson for young girls. Too bad the PSA overlooked so many educated, strong, classy women. Duchess Kate, Sheryl Sandberg (COO, Facebook), Indra Nooyi (CEO, PepsiCo), Meg Whitman (CEO, Hewlett-Packard), or Ursula Burns (Chairman and CEO Xerox). You know…the women who are in a true “leadership” position they earned from hard work, education, and moving up (not up and down…).
Hopefully these young women have better role models at home, because if society now is desperate enough to feature someone who sings “Bow Down Bitch” as the new role model for young girls, I think we are in some serious trouble. Weigh in CDLers. Even those of you who love Beyonce…do you think she is the right person to support the ban on the word “bossy?”
Photo Credit: FameFlynet
