Her.meneutics: Beyonce Is Wrong: Girls Don't Run the World

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« Should Christians Pursue External Beauty? | Main | The Lost Girls of China and India »

June 28, 2011

Beyonce Is Wrong: Girls Don't Run the World

Why her message of female power is hurting the African American community.

Natasha Robinson, guest blogger

According to the first single from Beyonce’s highly anticipated album 4, girls indeed run the world. Thanks to her musical contribution to First Lady Michelle Obama’s "Let’s Move" campaign, her recent Billboard Millennium Award, and surprise farewell performance to honor Oprah, all eyes from middle-age school rockers to professional intellectuals are on Beyonce. The 29-year-old is an influencer. From the words of her recent hit, “my persuasion can build a nation,” and she knows it.

Beyonce has built a musical career based on girl empowerment and the seduction of men. In her efforts to empower women, though, she has endorsed a self-absorbed world where a false view of love reigns supreme. Her songs reveal a worldview where men and women indulge in lust, lavish spending, and fantasies of catering, upgrades, and joy rides. I don’t see much responsibility or empowerment of either sex in that kind of behavior.

Yet the lyrics of her recent single acknowledge the men who respect what she does. In her skimpy attire, she seduces them while singing we have "endless power, our love we can devour when you’ll do anything for me."

The question that haunts me and should arise from moral women of influence is: What type of power is Beyonce encouraging women to embrace? Is an average girl’s persuasion enhanced by flaunting her body, vanity, and money more than modesty, character, team building, and leadership that place the needs of others above themselves?

True persuasion and leadership elevates all people without sacrificing others along the way. That’s what alarms me with the “positive” messages in songs like “Run the World (Girls).” By elevating girls in a music video where they stand strong against an all-male army, Beyonce has subtly (or perhaps not so subtly) sent a message that devalues boys and men.

As an African American woman who is heartbroken over the current condition of African American boys, I find Beyonce’s message destructive and damaging to the Black community. The reality is that so many African American boys are being ignored in the classroom and other social arenas. These young men are dropping out of high school at an alarming rate. Many who graduate from high school cannot read with a significant level of comprehension or write a grammatically correct paragraph. Some sources say we now have more Black men in prison than in college. If Jesus' teachings concerning the Good Samaritan resonate at all, we should all share in these concerns. We cannot continue to ignore the plight of these young men while Beyonce is encouraging all the independent women to "throw their hands up."

Does God value women? Certainly! Does he want them to be strong contributors to society? Absolutely!

Yet when considering how God supremely values women, we must remember other fundamental truths: that God is love and wants us to walk in love. We must also acknowledge that we were created for community. God said that it was not good for humankind to walk through life alone. He created women and men for a holy partnership that is not limited to marriage. Whenever one gender of God’s partnership is elevated above the other or is ignored, we all lose.

There is much work and community building for all of us to do. I want to see young girls grow up into God-honoring, intelligent, beautiful, and strong leaders. When they show up in the classroom, corporate boardroom, or sanctuary, I want individual lives touched and the environment changed by their very presence. I do not want these women believing, however, that they don’t need men. Not only do we need them, they need us, and both sexes should seek opportunities to value, honor, and lift up each other.

Just as we must take responsibility for the images that we affirm or reject as women, men must do the same. My brothers must stand strong and hold each other accountable so that they do not fall prey to the fantasies and lies presented by the world. We should hold godly men accountable for breaking the cycle of “no fathers in the home” by consistently fulfilling the roles of teachers and mentors in the lives of children being raised by single mothers. In this way, children can observe a healthy partnership between men and women. They can then affirm who real men are and what real men do.

If we do not commit to these changes, we will continue to raise young men who have no consistent male leaders, teachers, or mentors in their lives. Furthermore, these young men will have very little expectations of themselves, since everyone knows that girls run the world. Therefore, they can transfer residence from their mother's homes to their girlfriend’s, and let her take care of him since she’s the college grad making the paper.

Both genders need to stand firm and confident knowing that the other is there to partner, encourage, and help them carry the load. We do not have to bear our burdens alone. We can be present for each other. Together, we can live the example of God’s truth and love in the lives of others.

We stand to partner because God loves us and wants an army of codependent men and women to glory him by lovingly running this world together.

Natasha Robinson is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy (2002). She served six years active duty as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. Currently, she is co-director of the women’s mentoring ministry at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Greensboro, North Carolina, and founder, writer, and speaker for His Glory On Earth Ministries. She is a full-time student at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a wife and mother. Check out her blog, A Sista's Journey, where she featured a five-part “Way Up for African-American Boys Series.” Twitter @asistasjourney.

Comments

I have to agree. Beyonce is married to Jay Z but the message she sends to her fans through music is all about being independent. I think she trying to uplift women but does not know the actual damage she is doing particularly to the African American community.

I enjoyed this post, but I'd also love to hear your thoughts on Beyonce's husband, Jay-Z, and the messages he is sending to black boys and men and the black community in general. I don't think that what he stands for or produces is any better.

Well said, Tasha! When Beyonce did her number on American Idol, I was disgusted. It was obscene, sent all the wrong messages, devalued women and men. I love what you have said here, my friend. Let's pray for Beyonce, but keep sounding a call of value to women as God's creation and image bearers.

This article means even more when you look at the author. She is a former marine and graduate of the Naval Academy (and a great bible study leader!) So often articles like this seem to come from men and give the feeling of putting women "in their place." Great article and I look forward to seeing more.

I can't even take this song seriously at all as a feminist text. It simply rehashes the old (misogynist) argument that women's power = their sexuality. It doesn't lift up girls by putting down boys; it reduces both men and women--men to an empty sex drive, women to sexual manipulators.

As a woman (girl?), I don't want to run the world that way (and, frankly, I probably couldn't, since it requires a certain body type and level of attractiveness).

As for the lines about "college grads" and being able to "bear the children, then get back to business"--I don't see any women doing actual work in that video--just shaking their booties. Last I checked, it's difficult to take the kids to preschool or perform a surgery wearing nothing but glitter and garters.

Like "Put a Ring on It," this song purports to uplift women, but instead plays into the same tired oppressive stereotypes that have been defining women's and men's interactions for generations.

*snore*

I'm sorry, was this article serious? I can't tell if it's satire or not.... Because if someone actually believes this, give me a break....

I couldn't agree more with this article and how it summizes something near and dear to my heart...men and women being partners for one another and knowing the strengths that lie in each gender! I am a WOMAN and there are certain attributes that I bring to a relationship and to a family that GOD placed in me while he equally placed certain attributes in MAN (different from a woman's) so that we both could form a partnership in HIS image. When are we going to recognize that both man and woman's empowerment comes from our being bonded together as Christ loves the church and that we don't do ourselves any favors when we devalue one another.

Thanks for writing this. I'm sad to see the power our culture has handed Beyonce and her willingness to exploit girls and boys, men and women, in the process. This is why we must stand strongly for God's original dream of a man and a woman, coming together, to do his good work, and to care for the earth and the others he has created.

Tasha,

You are on point and it's truly time for Christians to do and say what's Biblicly vice politically correct. Beyonce and others are just a few symptoms of a much bigger issue - sin. We can hate the sin while loving the sinner. If John the Baptist were around today he would not know where to begin to preach against what Christian tolerate and do.

We are a peculiar people yet most often we are difficult to distinguish from those without Christ. I spent the weekend traveling to a funeral with my Dad and brothers. I left that trip feeling like Noah must have felt trying to tell folks about the impending flood. I do not listen to much other than Gospel music, so in an effort to appease my youngest brother I tolerated his music during our 12 hour drive, the car was vibrating and the lyrics I am sure he would have a problem with if he had daughters and not sons. When I could I slept, and when I could not sleep I prayed or tuned things out. Eventually, my brother irritated me to the point that I called his relationship with Christ into question. Based on the music and other things in his life that quench the Holy Spirit that he says resides in him.

The greatest thing we can do for young people, male or female, is give the truth of God's Word and try to be an example for them by demonstrating God's power in our own lives. The world's pull is so great your topic probably won't make sense to a lot of Christians, and unfortunately, it will make no sense to thier Christian children satan seeks to blind with the things of the world.

While I do understand the writer's Christian point of view we must also understand that the song was not written or presented by "Christian". Every performer's acceptance speech begins with, "First of all, I'd like to thank God because without him this would not be possible". With the exception of gospel artists I have never heard an R&B or hip-hop artist begin an acceptance speech with, "I will like to thank my "Lord and Savior" Jesus Christ.

It is what it is...Beyonce is Beyonce. Does she have a responsibility in a sense-yes. But one can argue that she's not out drinking, doing drugs, stealing etc so to some she is a postitive role model (in regards to who we have to compare her to).

However, just as there are weak-minded young men there are also weak-minded young girls who need a little uplifting every now and again. I'm a Girl Scouts troop leader; I took my troop rock climbing last weekend to earn a badge and when one of the girls (who was the only one not to reach the top) was about to give up the girls began chanting"...who runs the world-GIRLS!" over and over again and this time she refused to give up. It took her a while, but they never stopped chanting and she actually made it to the top. Not making light of the song's content but I really guess its all in how you interpet things.

Well written Tasha! Thanks for taking a stand for Christ!

@jules Hence, the perfect union I guess @devon Thanks for making me LOL! @Don thanks for sharing the burden for holiness. Be encouraged. Jesus is Lord! For His Glory, Natasha Robinson

"Whenever one gender of God’s partnership is elevated above the other or is ignored, we all lose...Both genders need to stand firm and confident knowing that the other is there to partner, encourage, and help them carry the load."

AMEN!!!

I think that the African American subculture can be described as an area where boys/men need to perhaps be given consideration. As a pulbic high school teacher, I can attest to the fact that African American males are the lowest scoring sub-group on standardized tests and have the lowest graduation rates. Yet, if they are raised by single parent moms, why? WHY? That has always been my question. Is there an historical component in the way that families were separated during the slavery era? I know some very strong families with one or both parents who are African American. What is the difference? I just wish I knew how to help these students. And I feel inadequate as a white woman.

Anyway, girls do need to be empowered in a special way to counter our historically patriarchal culture and to battle the pervasive sexualization of women and even little girls. I am 30-something and experienced significant sexism and stifling based on gender, mostly in high school. It was my parents' encouragment and acceptance of my assertive and vocal personality that helped me overcome it.

I believe that a focus on valuing every person as made in the image of God, appreciating the function that each of us plays with our unique gifts, and working in harmony as brothers and sisters is the key. Particularly in the church.

The message sent by lots of pop music is lamentable, definitely. I think you might be holding Beyonce to too high of a standard though. I see her songs as largely reactionary to a male-dominated world of pop and hip-hop that too often suggests that women are just there to be used for their pleasure or as status-symbols. I think Beyonce is giving them a taste of their own medicine to some extent. You're right, it's the wrong message to be sending, but I can understand where it's coming from I guess. I can see her motivation in wanting to kind of 'get back at' these guys.

Well stated, Another more powerful influence is our increased dependency on an ever more powerful Federal Government. Many in the African American community have been enticed by the liberals who have promised to save them. That cycle is almost impossible to break and that huge weight is now positioned to engulf the rest of America especially older Americans. You and Deronta rock. BK

No, it doesn't go as far back as slavery. The African-American family was united as were white families in the 1920s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and until Lyndon Johnson and his Great Society in the 60s started paying more money to single women with children than to united families. Our own government led to the breakup of families at this time.

Excellent article and sooo on point!!! God is really trying to get the word out. I just attended a workshop on endtime prophecy and guess whose name was brought up --- you got it, Beyonce. We have to see the strategies of our enemy in all the
subtle manipulations to control the mindsets of our culture. My question is, "how do we overcome"? One person at time or as a united front? Terri

Appreciated the truth in this article. This line was great, " both sexes should seek opportunities to value, honor, and lift up each other."

Thanks for writing this thoughtful article. I see Beyonce's message as part of a long line of "girl power" messages seen in movies, television shows, children's toys, etc., for years.

I know the heart behind them is good. And as a woman I admit that I'm a bit drawn to the "women kicking butt" themes in TV shows like Alias and movies like Charlie's Angels. But I fear they are doing more harm than good.

Unfortunately, when women are lifted up in this manner, men are put down. Women are empowered; men are emasculated. Ladies, let's work together to figure out how to build up both women and men. Let's speak up--in a winsome manner--when given the opportunity.

Thank you for the words of truth. Lyrics to songs do have the power to influence. Women and girls need powerful messages to be all that they are called to be, but not at the expense of our brothers. It is not about who gets to rule who. Sexual power is nothing to play with it, songs that justify the use of sexual infulence hurt us all.

Good article Tasha. I, personally, put zero stock in Beyonce due to her skimpy attire and equally threadbare lyrics. It would be too easy for me to say "just ignore here". She is indeed selling a very dangerous message to young girls.

I concur. Women have traditionally had to be strong in the African-American community, but I think the perceived weakness of the men around them (less education, joblessness, incarceration etc) and the media's continued empowerment of women (Pixar's new film Brave is about a warrior princess) means that women are in danger of becoming OVER-CONFIDENT.

I discussed this, in relation to myself here: http://hausanigerian.blogspot.com/2011/04/i-am-submissive-womandoes-that-make-me.html

Someone had to say it and it might as well be a female Marine Corps veteran officer and graduate of the United States Naval Academy. Natasha I do believe God has placed the mandate of righting the empowerment message in your mouth. It comes during a very critical time in our nation's history. Many believe the next election could be a strong appearance for female contenders like Rep. Michelle Bachmann and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Even a female President does not mean that girls run the world. As a child of a single mother, I realized a long time ago that a woman was not meant to bear this world alone. As one of the commentators has said, Beyonce may be making a good intended effort to encourage girls but she "is" damaging the truth to the woman's God given power of influence that was first apparent in the Garden of Eden.
Thank you for being bold enough to say it Natasha.

CORRECTED:The hard truth is the "African-American Community" has had and continues to have an identity crisis. Beyonce is merely a bye product of a corrupt generation who's value rests in the outward appearance i.e. "Bling" sex, money, power..... Most continue to vote based on race and not substance. Hip-Hop is a vain and destructive form of music to Black America. It promotes a Godless lifestyle while winking at God as a faux form of spirituality to the spiritually ignorant. Yet no one wants to address the real issues for fear of the race card being pulled on them (black or white). Well educated and successful blacks face an uphill battle w/ their community. If they say or vote against traditional "black identity" ways, they are subject to even worse racial insults and mocking than their white counterparts. Beyonce is a modern version of Jezebel and that she would most likely praise as "Empowering" while "Thanking God".

Thank you so much for this piece. As a black single Mother raising 2 mighty men of valor, I am now battling the world's standards vs God's standards in teaching my 16 year old son about girls. I personally am not a fan of Beyonce's for many reasons but mainly for the one's you mentioned in this piece. It's not CUTE to see BABIES (literally) gyrating & droppin' it like it's hot as they attempt to mirror what they see her do on tv. It's not CUTE that her signature wardrobe is a mere leotard! At the end of the day, the world's view is that sex sells & unfortunately Beyonce is part of that marketing strategy. Thank God for artists like Mary Mary. Too bad radios don't promote them. I encourage my son's to watch out for dreamsnatchers & as a woman I'm not being harsh w/ that term. I'm being honest because the role models a lot of these young girls are following (Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga, reality shows, Bachlorette...) are certainly not building them to be helpmates!

As a white New Zealander, in some ways I stand outside this debate, although I thoroughly agree that the messages in much of the pop music our kids are listening to is damaging on many levels.

I wanted to share one story, told to me by a friend who has two sons. A couple of years ago her eldest, then aged about eight, turned to her and asked sadly "Mum, can boys do anything, too?"

@Robyn Thanks for your ministry as a public school teacher, a very important yet unvalued profession. @Terri Amen! @NikkiDane Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. Blessings, Natasha

"He created women and men for a holy partnership that is not limited to marriage. Whenever one gender of God’s partnership is elevated above the other or is ignored, we all lose."

Well said Natasha. We don't correct patriarchy in the church or society by replacing it with matriarchy. However, as a veteran pastor and chaplain I have to say that the church is making the message Beyonce and other artists like her very attractive to girls and young women. They live in a world where women can advance to high level postions all the way up to CEO, then they walk into church and are told that leadership is the man's domain. The Scriptures include women prophets and church leaders, Jesus warned the disciples not to lord themselves over others, Paul said there's neither male nor female-we're all one in Christ (Gal. 3:28).

I praise God that He gave me the privilege of hospital chaplaincy,solo pastoring 2 churches, and for over 4 years now ministering as a hospice chaplain. I have stayed faithful to the God who called me because He set my mind and sight on Him so that I could ignore the naysayers and He opened all the doors wide for me. I just had to be obedient and walk through them. I am thankful for a supportive husband of over 30 years and our children as well as other godly men and women who have supported me along the way, and there were some rough times.

That being said, I know women who got fed up have walked away from church. There's something wrong when Christian women feel they are more valued and respected by the world. It saddens me. I pray that your message of a holy partnership between the genders has a far reaching effect. Keep up the good work for the Master!

Beyonce is delivering a conflicted message, as you point out. It's important to note, as you do, that God's vision is a win-win for both his sons and daughters. Thanks for spotlighting the current crisis impacting African-American men and boys. Well done, my friend!

This was a wonderful blog post! And I have to agree with what Devon said. Beyonce is just another example of a pop star spouting the message that feminine power equals sexuality.

This is an unfortunate response to a major societal failure to hold men accountable for objectifying women. That has never been adequately addressed in our society or perhaps really anywhere in the world outside of Christian communities. However, instead of holding firm and insisting that men relate to them as people instead of sex objects, women gave up and made the huge mistake of deciding to turn the tables and objectify men instead. As usual, two wrongs don't make anything close to a right!

Maybe the first step toward right would be to call a cease fire in this so-called battle of the sexes. Why do we think either sex should "rule the world"? The truth is neither men nor women rule the world--God does.

The other point about this debate is the ludicrous nature of the scene of the girls standing against the army and winning. The truth is, rape is being used as a weapon of war against women all over the world...

"Whenever one gender of God’s partnership is elevated above the other or is ignored, we all lose." Shoot, this has been going on in the church for ages and ages with is male worship.

This is an excellent article, but reading it and some of the comments, I couldn't help but notice people seem to see female empowerment as something that needs to be contained or viewed with caution. I rarely see that when discussing men. Yes, when we lift up women, we shouldn't put down men. But, when we lift up men, we shouldn't put down women, which has been the norm in history. As for Beyonce and others like her, it's ultimately all about money.

Thank you for writing a thoughtful piece on current American music which reflects that human nature (without God's influence) never changes: people seek empowerment by exploiting the weaknesses of others.

Isn't it interesting that God's answer to empowerment is servanthood? You won't hear that from any current pop song!

Wow. I'm a black woman and I can't believe how ridiculous this is. Why does it feel that Christians are always in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to attack pop culture.

How about taking a look at the church (before judging Beyonce); very few churches -- black or otherwise -- have very few effective programs for black girls and boys.

Not to mention how segregated churches are today. Take a look at the plank in your eye before looking at the wood speck in Beyonce's -- who doesn't even identify as a believer.

SMH.

This is a well written blog with quite a few good points, but let's look at the big picture. Beyonce is a newer version of Tina Turner and some may have said the exact same things about Tina back in the '60s. There is truly nothing new under the sun. People are going to push the envelope to make money. Beyonce is in show business and regardless if she is singing gospel music which requires her to dress weird and jump all over stage pumping her fist yelling "When I say Jesus you say Christ", singing R&B love songs about how her man left her or girls rule the world, her ultimate goal is for a check to come in the mail with her name on it. Honestly, we are the ones responsible for training our children up in the way they should go. I am not putting that responsibility on Beyonce and if the kids happen to hear her songs of girl empowerment it's definitely going to take a backseat because I will be teaching my child exactly what I want her/him to know. As for the community, no one is stopping us from volunteering/teaching children, without positive role models in their lives, what they should be taught. God uses people in all kinds of ways. Beyonce influences a certain audience and if we could leave our nice homes and fancy cars for a second and actually visit those places we would see Beyonce is only a small factor in a larger problem. We can't blame the plight of the African American community on Beyonce. That's just not fair!

I agree with LN. You people are taking this way too seriously. I put God first in my life as much as anyone here but calling the kettle black when I'm a dirty pot myself doesn't make me a good Christian per se. So what do you want to do, huddle around like a group of Pharisees? This is so ridiculous. There are just too many problems in this world that need taking care of; criticizing Beyonce (of all people hahahaha! she doesn't even know you exist. what good is pointing out her faults going to do us and you?) is just a plain waste of time!

@Denise I agree wholeheartedly. Stay strong while raising those mighty men of valor. I love that! Be encouraged that God is with you my sister. Definitely concer with your "dreamsnatcher" description. Maybe somebody needs to write a detailed article about that.
@Rev Carlene "There is something wrong when Christian women feel they are more valued and respected by the world" Amen to that sister!
@theLordismyShepherd I would submit that the issue of man objectifying women has not been adequately addressed in the Christian community. A cease fire is definitely needed to live Gen 1:26-28 as God originially intended
@S I agree with you. Both sexes are God's image bearers and can therefore both be great together under God's authority. God's wants a holy partnership that values both sexes

I really have a problem with this article, as if beyonce is the only woman or person who has sang these kinds of songs an portrayed herself this way. Its up to all women to proclaim there independence and know the difference between a video, song an concert! Its an act called entertainment! If you're looking for a msg look in your bible, not the world! If you don't like the song don't listen, don't like the video don't watch but I don't believe in singling out one person or group an pointing fingers that's wrong!

@LN Certainly the church needs to be called to account, as I regularly do on my blog. Check out the link for my "Way Up for African American Boys" series which is included in the byline, which reveals that this issue and others like it are only a large part of a big problem. The particular issue is not a matter of judgment, but a question of influence and imagaing which we have allowed to infiltrate the church and not the other way around as it should be. As Christians, I believe that we have to be more responsible and yes there are several areas where the church continues to fail and needs to remove our planks.

@smar Christians are not called to live in isolation. It is not good enough for us to ignore the issue and pretend that it is not there or will simply go away. We are called to be in the world but not of the world. The true question is "How does the Bible call for us to live in the midst of that reality?" The problem is that we don't take issues like this seriously enough. The Bible speaks a great deal about spiritual warfare and Beyonce is only a pawn (like so many others as you have pointed out) in a much more serious battle that is at work. My point is not to point fingers or call out Beyonce, but to call us to look at ourselves and determine if we are contributing to the problem (maybe by purchasing music, or by not doing something - like tutoring for example - or by pretending that this is not negatively influencing young girls) or being part of the solution (by having honest conversations or being the Godly parents, leaders, and community leaders that God has called us to be - like @LN and @Lele recommended). As Christians, we are called to stand for Christ and recognize when the enemy is at work. We are not called to be lukewarm and simply tolerate or ignore when the enemy is obviously attacking our vulnerable young people. Part of his deception is to get us to chill out and say that this is no big deal. He wants to lull us to sleep. I will firm against the enemy's schemes and I hope that we can agree on that.

I agree with the author. She brilliantly literates a view of sexuality within the relationship of men and women within our society that is being torn asunder. A plan that God Himself blessed, and said it is good! Yes, as women, we are beautiful and strong, just as strong as our Adam's are to our Eve's. The natural order of Creation calls for a strong man with a strong woman at his side perpetually edifying each other in spirit and in God's Truth. As Christians, we have to be mindful of what our daughter's see and hear, how they see and hear it, and what messages they are carrying through these ingrained lies of secular idolatrous sexism. We are under attack. It is time to stand up and salute our Creator, what He created, and celebrate the union He blessed, not demean it and abolish it. Our young men and women's self esteem is already brow-beaten and low. Why, then, if we love them, do we want them to fall further?

Natasha well said! I think you and Bill Cosby need to work together. You both seem to have the same ideas on building up the self esteem of your young people.
I would love to hear your opinion on BET and the television and movies comming out of the Black community.

Thanks for your words of encouragement.

I actually made the last comment addressed to @smar. Not sure why it is listed as anonymous

Thanks for the fine article, hope to read more from Natasha Robinson.

why waste your time on some worldly performer? I can't stand her music-as soon as she comes on the radio I change the station. Every time she pops up on television whether on video or otherwise she is half naked. She is an absolute negative role model especially for young girls!

Amazing and heartbreaking. I am so sorry to hear these stats. we need to rise up and change this as a community and as a family. Boys, men need to rise up and we women need to not only allow them to, we need to support them in doing so. No matter the race, I believe that men are not who they are called to be, in the home, in the community or in business. A great deal of the blame falls on us as women and we need to change this before all is lost. May there be a day that we turn jail buildings into colleges because there is no longer another use for them. May there come a day that men and women see themselves in the light of Christ rather than the darkness of this world. May the day come soon that we see a person for their worth as a child of God and not for their worth in our small minds. I am not African American, but I support my brothers and sisters of all races to rise up to their potential in Christ. May there come a time that women see their worth in Christ and they stop seeking worthiness in looks, money and worldly good. This world must change. Thank you for writing this article, it was needed and timely. God help us.

I don't disagree with what Natasha has written, but I think it is really not relevant. The change in attitudes must start in the church. We are who God wants to us to change our culture, to change society. No one else, even if they wanted to, has the power. We have the Holy Spirit. He is the only one who can bring lasting change. Beyonce is just doing what is popular. She is loving her life and using her talent the way to make herself successful in this world. We are to be God's hands and feet and voice. Criticizing popular culture only alienates us from the people who love what we criticize. They won't get our problem with it. They will just see us as freaks....and yes we are freaks for Jesus but Jesus catches a lot more with love than with criticism. But, one place this could work is a one-on-one conversation with a daughter who loves Beyonce's music. It is a great dialogue starter.

Natasha,

Why are you blaming Beyonce for the social ills of the Black community that existed way before Beyonce was born?

Do you honestly believe that young men will have very little expectations of themselves because Beyonce makes a statement that girls run this world?

Beyonce is not sending a message to women that they don’t need men, since she is married. It definitely would be hypocritical for her to make such a statement – right?

I personally do not know Beyonce, but I doubt that she really believes that girls run this world. I am sure that she is aware that unfortunately women in many parts of the world are still fighting for human rights.

This song should not be taken so seriously.

I don't think we can lay the blame at the feet of one gender or group. The breakdown of marriage/family in our society isn't due to feminism or male-dominated society and abuse, or single-parent homes led by women, or men who no longer pursue, I think it's a combination of many factors. Beyonce' is not different than female singers over the years, such as Madonna or Lady Gaga.
With secular music, it has also been about sex/shallow love and objectifying another person. This isn't anytihng new. One thing I think would definately help is if we as women would encourage and support husbands/fathers/spiritual fathers, because kids do need men - they crave their attention and leading. This does not mean women have less to offer, but it's just different, but it's prideful for us to think we do not need men when it comes to kids and the involvement in kids' lives.

Hi @Charlene, thanks for reading and commenting. Please read my responses to previous comments as I believe they answer your questions.

I think Beyonce has been gifted by our Creator with beauty and a great voice. So in that, at least we can see glimpses of God's glory. . . but alas, Beyonce is a human being, and like the rest of us human beings (despite our gifts), she is fallen and sinful.

Does she consider herself an artist? It's hard for me to take pop culture artists as anything serious, but realistically, these pop culture artists, such as Beyonce, do speak to us about the hearts and minds of the masses. What are we thinking? What are we focusing on? I don't really know what's in Beyonce's heart, but judging from a video of her's I caught recently on BET as I was flipping through the channels, one has to wonder. Honestly, I wasn't sure what I was watching: she had on a interesting (albeit scanty) outfit while wiggling around with strange, jerky dance moves and singing something like she was chanting and throwing a tantrum, licking her strangely decorated fingernails and trying to come across all sexy. She was like an epic golden queen of some tribe of people living under the scorching underpass of a major thoroughfare. I am guessing this is the song you are referring to? I didn't know until I just looked at it again on youtube.

If it is her aim to speak up for women who feel downtrodden or are abused, I'm not certain she accomplished this in the most effective way that really elevates women to where she wishes they would be. After viewing the accompanying video to the song, how many young girls will feel less about themselves and that they must become like Beyonce or the other carbon-copy females wriggling around in that video?

All Beyonce has accomplished with the video, as far as I can see, is by providing sexual eye candy to her male viewers. She has prostituted her "art" for the sake of monetary gain. Simply repeating the mantra "girls run the world" and showing some skin isn't helping females the world around. I don't think anyone is scared, and uh, truly, how many women feel empowered by this? The whole video is bordering on MadMax-Beyond-the-Thunderdome sort of silly. It doesn't seem to have any redeeming value or deep message. It's overtaken by the theatrics, and therefore, it comes off as straight up entertainment for the mindless masses. Maybe I'm missing something?

I agree with the author, Natasha. Hurt boys will mean hurt girls. No one will win.

I appreciate your article, Natasha, and would like to add that it's not just black males being adversely affected. . . I see white males also suffering from cultural backlashes against males. And not just from "girl power" but also from a culture who increasingly treats the young white male as if he owes EVERYONE else (women, other races, etc.) for all that is perceived to be bad in the world.

This topic can be so very broad, and we can talk about the histories that led up to the gender issues we are now dealing with, but the bottomline. . .

Men, women. Whites, blacks (all races and ethnicities). I think we have to look to God and His Truth, and apply it. Only He will solve our problems. I can't think of a single human role model or government official who can save us. Only Jesus will.

@everydayk The breakdown of marriage/family in society is sin and this article, along with your comments and the comments of others, only reveal a few ways in which sin reveals itself.
@Emily Amen, my sister!

Great article. I agree. While I admire the fact that Beyonce is trying to empower women, she is doing it in the wrong way and encouraging them to have power in a derogatory way at that. A woman's respect and authority should not and does not come from her outward appearances and the way that she can seduce others. It comes from the good and upright manner which she conducts herself in. It also says something about her husband, that he could possibly allow his wife and be comfortable with her flaunting it all in front of millions of people. Great write.

It is important to remember that satan is still at work.
Also, let us not forget that Lucifer was a chief musician in heaven.Hip hop and rap music are HEAVILY influenced by satan and demonic forces. Listen to the lyrics of most songs and you wil clearly see that the vast majorty of them deviate from the Word of God (Bible or the Truth). If you don't believe me, watch G. Craig Lewis' "The Truth about Hip-Hop" on You Tube.

It is no coincidence that Beyonce is leading young men and women further from Christ. After all, she is married to someone who thinks he is equal to God and calls himself jehovah or Jay-Z for short.

Tash, here's one lone males opinion. You've seemed to get caught up in the popular to the extent you've lost your biology. Biologically speaking, women are the center of the species. Males, especially males today, barely do their God-given duties: protect, provide, procreate. Get real, Tash, Jesus promoted the worth of women, and still his "church" which he was never here to create, is distracted by ego-clashes. Too bad, you can't see the truth, but that's what happens when dogma gets it the way.

To be honest i kinda liked the song when I first saw it because I am all about the girl-power! :o) But you pointed out some sobering possible side effects for others who are viewing it and that makes me sad.
I have been mentoring an African American young man for several years now and I cant wait to ask him what he thinks of Beyonce--should make for some great conversation. Thanks!

I had two thoughts reading this article:
(1) women are capable of so much more than obsessing about other women, which seems to be our achilles' heel as a gender. It's as if any excuse to hate another women, criticize her, tear her down, is something that we just cannot pass up. Which, I assume, is why I'm reading something this fluffy and ridiculously serious about Beyonce's silly little song on what I assume would be an intelligent, Biblically based blog post about real women's issues;
and
(2) if you want to discuss the shredding of society by popular musicians - particularly of the African American community - there are hundreds of other AA singers who are doing far, far more to mislead, repress, damage, and destroy the African American male with the glorification of modern-day slave ownership (better known as "pimping"), viewing women as nothing of value beyond sexual objects, glorifying crime, materialism, sexism, murder, death, drugs, empty living. I'd start with Jay-Z and work my way down ... AA boys aren't sitting around doodling sad faces in their notebooks while they listen to Beyonce sing about girls running the world, any more than they ran out and bought engagement rings en masse when her earlier songs came out.

That my gender takes these sorts of things this seriously instead of debating the real problem makes me sad.

Excellent article. I teach at an HBCU, and see the influence of personalities like Beyoce. She is amazingly talented, but her message seems like one of self-love and materialism as much as anything else. Nice to hear a counterpoint from a person in the real world outside the celebrity bubble.

Beyonce's song has bothered me ever since I first heard it! I have been waiting for such an article! What Beyonce's song protrays is definitely NOT what God had in mind when He created both sexes.

Tasha, well stated. I appreciate your willingness to take on the tough issues...your efforts are helping to restore our families and communities. Keep up the good work!

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