This video is about Beyonce... and y’all | Khadija Mbowe

https://www.marigoldmusicprogram.com/ Marigold Music Program’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/marigoldmusicprogram?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA= Summer Music Intensive inspires young musicians to explore the passion for artistry/music through 8 days of personalized/curated 1-on-1 lessons, educational group classes, & performance opportunities!

I no longer expect anything more from celebrities beyond what the first line of their Wikipedia article calls them 😂 So for Beyonce, that's just "singer, songwriter and businesswoman". Projecting our ideals onto public figures (ESPECIALLY billionaires) is a surefire way to set ourselves up for disappointment

I feel the voices getting louder against the rich and I think that is a good thing

The expectation is definitely because she has associated herself with politics, I mean she very publicly endorsed Hillary Clinton in 2016. She's very vocal about racism and feminism and has walked the walk regarding both, respectfully. If her film wasn't being played in an apartheid state, the criticism and expectation would have been a lot less harsh. I mean, no one is expecting a statement from Zac Efron because he has never associated himself with anything other than the industry he is in. When you associate yourself with political liberation - you've already set the bar high for yourself. Put up or shut up, simple as that.

I think it wouldn't be so upsetting to people (me included) if Beyonce (and TS to an extent) hadnt based sooo much of their recent artworks and media on activism and being "for the people." Its one thing to not ever say anything political in your music/art and never say anything political irl. Its a whoooooolllle ither monster to virtue signal activism and feminism and justice in your music or art, and be completely silent irl about real world atrocities if it will possibly affect your bottom line. Thats why people are upset. I normally don't give a shit what celebrities say, but if they base their entire brand and aesthetic around social justice and equality, then they better fucking put their money where their mouth is. But again, just my opinion.

If you posture yourself as an activist and use resistance symbols in your music to make money you shouldn't shy away when the hypothetical battles you fight in your music become real.

Taylor Swift can make a single post and get 30k people register to vote. Whether celebrities genuinely care about issues or not, they have the power to bring MASSIVE attention to movements. They have the power to motivate millions of "non-political" people to take a second look (or a first look) at a cause. And when small platforms are being suppressed and shadow banned, or outright banned for speaking against atrocities, I fully understand why some folks want their faux-activist celebrity favs to help shine light. I don't care about Beyonce or Taylor. Nor am I under the impression that they have the power to change governments. But they have the unwaivering attention of millions of people. Celebrities of that magnitude having the courage or conviction to speak up for P people would be a catalyst for millions who were afraid to speak up, afraid to protest, afraid to risk their 9-5s. So, yeah, I don't expect celebrities to be activists or even ethical people, but I get why folks who like them are disappointed.

i’m definitely beyhive down and a stan of that disco horse lady’s music but that doesn’t mean she can’t be critiqued! recently been feeling very disillusioned by A LOT of things due to the growing restlessness of the political climate and this one particular topic has been on my mind as of late. thank you for being fair as always. i love listening to the way you present topics, whatever the subject matter! keep being great khadija!!!

i think we are foolish to expect anything from a billionaire, but she specifically has the resources to make an informed stance. she has done this before with certain issues. her choosing to not comment on others IS the statement. she probably cares, but the fact that she, a global icon and inter generational legend, has been quiet? let’s call a spade a spade, that’s foul. she has made the decision to be as politically radical as her pockets can be lined. i also have to disagree on her not being in control of how people used her song against its intended meaning. if she hadn’t put the film in their hands, that viral video would not exist. also, none of us who have been sharing and advocating for 🍉 have any power, but still we have made efforts to contribute to change. her being a pop star does not exempt her from the human responsibility to give a damn. as her fans, we are allowed to require, at the very least, that she doesn’t put the art that is meant to make us feel empowered in the hands of people who oppress others.

I don't think "genocide is wrong" is too much to ask from anyone though, it doesn't take an Activist to say that. Edit: I also call my reps to demand they speak up and act right. I also encourage people in my life to do what they can. It doesn't matter to me how big or small you are, we have a human duty to one another to speak out against the greatest atrocity humans can commit. It doesn't matter if I or Taylor or Beyonce can single handedly bring about a ceasefire- the principle is we all have the duty to speak up, because the silence and complicity only raises the death toll.

Beyoncé portrays as a activist, Taylor Swift portrays a activist, Selena Gomez portrays an activist so yes people expect them to speak on it

To be honest this was a watered down version of an actual analysis of Beyoncé… but it seems like a huge step for someone who loves her to think objectively on her.

“Celebrity does not equal integrity” is a bar! Appreciate you & your content 💕

Sorry, but Beyonce father already said that in the 80s the beauty salon her mother had used to make 1.1 - 1.2 million dollars profit per year. 1.1 million dollars per year in the 80s - early 90s, with a salon alone. He used to have a high-paying job too. Have you ever saw the house Beyonce used to live in? A mansion in the richest area of Houston Texas. The schools she used to go? They used to have two maids at home... Beyonce was lowkey rich.

I always tell people; y’all don’t know Beyoncé. We don’t know her stance on anything, nothing; because she doesn’t talk unless she’s getting paid 😂 There could be a NY times article saying Beyonce unalived her assistant or something crazy, and we wouldn’t hear a peep from Beyoncé. She’s very lowkey and that works in her favor.

I understand the whole "I don't expect to get my politics from {{insert artist name}}" but the way you put it seems to imply that people like Beyonce and other artists, entertainers billionaires are able to go through the world in a completely political-neutral manner, which is naive at best. I will not "get my politics" from Beyonce, but if her actions (or inactions) support a policy I don't, that artist is gone for me. Otherwise we're saying boycotts are useless. Not taking a political stance is a political stance. Furthermore, Beyonce does have political power. Why do people call her "queen"? just for aesthetics? She can use her millions of dollars and fans to mobilize a political cause, yet she chooses not to because that would be detrimental to her wealth hoarding. This does not mean you have to dislike Beyonce, but let's stop defending her if she does not defend our values.

I agree with your point, butttt… I don’t think you take into consideration just how many people actually DO get their political views or knowledge from celebrities.

She doesn’t have to be the most well-read, well spoken revolutionary but she could atleast have some more integrity in some of her choices. Choosing to show a film in a state that people are ACTIVELY in opposition with? The narrative is “she focuses on every detail, she’s so in control” but can decide where the film shows? Which one is it?

Sorry but this is just reminding me of the fool on twitter who wrote a thread using the "systemic problems aren't the fault of individuals" spiel to defend Taylor Swift's private jet emissions. Like I know you know that's bullshit! I know that you know that's not how that works lol! Maybe it would be easier for people to handle truly ruthless critiques of their faves if people weren't so desperate for reassurance that their media consumption is "unproblematic," but that's a topic for another day. Honestly might be time for a Bojack Horseman rewatch bc for me few other pieces of media provide a better meditation on what accountability is, what it means to hold powerful people (especially celebs) accountable.

i have a theory (my thoughts not fact, so don't come for me pls) that beyoncé's amazing media training is because of how she was portrayed in the media after letoya/latavia/farrah all left DC. she was villainized and blame was placed on her, and when she went solo she (or her team) knew people had to like her, so she did extensive media training and press to try to clean up her image. and it worked.