Bootylicious Yellow Bone: Beyoncé's Physicality as a Site of Racialized, Socio‐Political Angst Concerning Beauty, Class, and Essentialized Blackness

As a Black woman, Beyoncé has reached an unprecedented level of international fame. With more Grammy wins and nominations than any other woman in history (Exposito), multiple multi-million-dollar endorsement deals, business ventures ranging from clothing line to film production company, become global brand her own right. this success stardom come scrutiny that extends far beyond Beyoncé's music. Over the last decade, much scholarship emerged concerning particular expressions feminism activism lyrics performances, but less attention been given ways which physical appearance self-presentation leave suspended between often irreconcilable demands white mainstream cultures. That is, intersectionality1 hyper-visibility have situated center converging debates regarding beauty, class, what it means be America post racial reckoning 2020. Examples intersectional, cultural positioning within racist, sexist, fatphobic society are curvy, prototypically physique helped bring about shift societal beauty standards, Kim Kardashian, is credited with prompting shift. And even though curvy largely celebrated as “fit” “beautiful,” she must fend off pregnancy rumors every time gains slightest bit weight. Another example specific, intersectional light-skinned privilege wealth, enabled critics question authenticity Blackness after 2016 when decided use massive platform openly uplift advocate for people. I argue Beyoncé, terms persona, site upon attempts hang its racist baggage shovel abiding ambivalence capitalism, essentialized notions Blackness. The clashing hyper-critiques amplified representation multivalent renderings racism, sexism, colorism, classism, fat phobia converge everyday lives women essentialist contradictorily prescriptive. Given impact influence, worthwhile explore hegemonic, factors at play in, subverted by, status icon. widely recognized one most beautiful world. herself says best on track “Nice” 2018 collaboration husband Jay-Z, Everything Love: “I'm errybody type/Goddamn right/I'm so nice/Jesus Christ/I'm better hype/I give you life” (The Carters 2:07–2:13). masses agree—Beyoncé flawless. Nearly photo posts Instagram sets trends, shoes fingernail polish. embodies enough America's currently markers place beauty-related controversies ambivalent media, social and, increasingly, academia. affirms music video “Formation” pushes up wide brim black sunhat, looks directly into camera, sings, “You know bitch cause all conversation” (Beyoncé 4:30–4:34). Cause conversation does, indeed. However, due simultaneous adherence to, influence on, subversion of, Eurocentric discourse sparks standards socially valuable typical celebrity gossip comprises background noise media. female bodies historically considered grotesque, animalistic, unnatural (Carroll, 2000; Gilman, 1985). This evident horrific lived reality Sara Baartman, South African who 1800s. While enslaved, British doctor described body shape, including large buttocks, genitalia, breasts, amusing, inferior, oversexed (Young, 1997). Baartman was placed display paying customers view naked became known “Hottentot Venus” throughout London Paris, parts were preserved inhumanely kept public until 1974. She finally returned Africa 2002, Nelson Mandela's protests, final burial (e.g., Qureshi, 2004). historical context had long-standing impacts understanding women's hypersexualized spectacles consumption Durham, 2012; Harris-Perry, 2011). (Mowatt et al. 650) Despite misogynoir2 sewn fabric country, small number managed subvert sexist stereotypes achieve since 1920s. such Josephine Baker, Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, Eartha Kitt, Diana Ross, name few, were, are, renowned entertainment industry regarded mesmerizingly talented beautiful. fame achieved able not only genre whiteness currency, curvaceous, not-stick-thin, general viewed overweight undesirable. American culture long enforced standard thinness requisite attractiveness. Sabrina Strings discusses conflation fatness via exhibiting aforementioned Fearing Body: Racial Origins Fat Phobia. writes Baartman's “presence symbol femininity transform image Hottentot thin fat. It also make intrinsically black, inherently off-putting, form feminine embodiment European scientific popular imagination” (89). still does regard “fat” beautiful, desired aesthetic supermodels typically remains angularly shaped, decade seen constitutes attractive, desirable body. entertainers, actresses, athletes Sofia Vergara, Serena Williams, Jennifer Lopez normalize figures. bustle…was rage 19th-century fashion. These huge structures (often accompanied padding) worn way accentuating figure enhancing posterior. during Sarah freak-show attraction, very gawking natural curves would likely their look like hers. difference while these fashionable manipulated forms, being treated freaks. seems woman's (not confused fetishized) wearing it. (Mwansa) presumably aware toward curvier type acceptance release “Bootylicious” Destiny's Child, refrain lauds shape by repeating “I don't think ready jelly/’Cause my too bootylicious babe” (Destiny's Child 0:55–1:04). America, relatively recently, shown extreme bias favor “skinny” women, community, voluptuous figures desirable. see drawing preference attempt appreciation mainstream. continues glorify reference quite solo artist. draws “naturalness” something femme braggadocio tracks DJ Khaled's “Top Off” lyric, “My body, ice, cash, real I'm triple threat” (2:27–2:31), “Savage Remix” alongside Megan Thee Stallion “If wanna some ass, baby here's yo’ chance” (1:06–1:09). could reasonably interpreted critiques growing trend various types buttocks augmentation procedures surgeries many celebrities—and aspiring celebrities—choose undergo. Although begun acknowledge carry-over society's previous insistence attractiveness call “tyranny tiny waist,” or high waist-to-hip ratio. waist according allows larger size conceptions “ideal” relative hips, or, words, “slim-thick.” An tyranny full June faced speculation pregnant fourth child tour Jay-Z because appeared gained weight stomach waist. did explicitly dispel included encoded response later date asked crowd your flaws right? Y'all right?” patted lower singing flawless” (qtd O'Malley). fact physique, past, now “beautiful” media remarkable considering if normalizing affirmative descriptions tenuous best, scrutinized criticized midsection. celebration catalyze paradigm icon exemplifying complicated another aspect appearance—her skin color. centuries-old colorist double-bind4 plagues community enacted, perpetuated, reinforced people corporations claiming operate postracial sensibilities. Undeniably, light color affords certain liminality, speak, whiteness. say, always identified as, shrouds ambiguity makes marketable palatable audiences. In February interview Ebony magazine, father, Mathew Knowles, spoke out issues colorism embedded his upbringing. After stating he initially dated mother, Tina Lawson, thought white, asserted “when comes females, get played pop radio? Mariah Carey, Rihanna, rapper Nicki Minaj, kids [Beyoncé Solange], do they common?” When interviewer skin, Knowles responded, “Do that's accident?” (qtd. Andrews Ferguson). father's comments unfairly couch seem predicated without mentioning talent work ethic, speaks issue perpetual lighter skin. Of course, say darker-skinned industry. Brown-skinned Patti Labelle, Whitney Houston, others stardom, current age marketing, famous recognizable entertainers Colorism recognizable, familiar, prevalent experience existed namelessly Alice Walker defined 1983 novel Search Our Mother's Garden “prejudicial preferential treatment same-race based solely color” (291). exists nearly comprising (for world's color, roots colonialism), brief origins affects Americans necessary understand significance discrimination part helpful explaining mass appeal controversy questions surrounding During centuries chattel slavery, mechanisms subjugation used enslavers separation hierarchization lighter-skinned enslaved people, enslavers' offspring, over Lighter-skinned allowed house granted privileges higher counterparts, communicates collective psyche (closer white), better, literal sense word. difficult discord foster, there real-world, material benefits associated having straighter hair. system laid groundwork modern-day, intra-ethnic manifests among distrust suspicion hue. extreme, erroneous surrounding, conflated with, apply potently dark-skinned “[colorism] establishes hierarchies deny tone identity associate[s] them arrogance undue comfort” (Davis 15). labeled “thinking they're better” “having easier” women. too, subject stereotypical accusations, evidenced statements widespread using artistry privileged position pretty (in standards), light-skinned, wealthy, will discuss depth later. Margaret Hunter's extensive Race, Gender, Politics Skin Tone, focuses particular, useful discussion how coloring (skin, hair, eye color) factor appeal, argue, perception acceptable Hunter describes, “beauty construction, informed kinds characteristics, significantly race. helps explain why United States, where racism operates, beauty” (69–70). According Hunter, disproportionately apt predictor relationship status. appearance, hair places near top calls queue” (to understood ranking) wears straight styles undoubtedly audiences recognize (69). privilege, exempt blatantly enacted colorism. 2008, L'Oréal accused lightening across several magazines ads Feria, L'Oréal's David Li, writer New York Post, wrote “digital lightening” made “virtually unrecognizable.” received immediate criticism. L'Oreal denies retouching images. respond (Li). incident serves demonstrate society, no incentive lighten ad unless suspected contribute favorable product. already prime inter-ethnic cannot simply explained away lighting choice accommodate newly applied (and Blackness) further phenotypically, features (full lips somewhat wider nose) ambiguous (light) coloring. phenotypic contributes renders susceptible accusations inauthenticity) darker and/or those identify monoracially Black/African American, identifies Creole (an ethnic treat extensively later). Popular representations conceptually analyzable practices “blonding.” By “blonding,” am referring practice entire population blondness texture, styling related implications, meanings deficiency, desirability, sexuality…every becomes successful perform blonding photographically alone level, Lil’ Kim, Mary J. Blige Queen Latifah. (Boyce Davies 200) Hair complex, womanhood, amid splendid, ongoing “natural movement” remain real, consequential, pressures wear straight. Boyce Davies's assertions “blonding” certainly raise important blonde akin “good hair.” worth noting here infamous “Becky good hair”5 song “Sorry” Lemonade album refers well-styled naturally loose curl pattern (3:39–3:49). “Good hair” unfortunately common expression movement challenging encouraging inspiring don textures rather turning relaxers chemically straighten long-time stylist, Neal Farinah, chemical achieves weaves, wigs, flat iron ensure maximum versatility preserve (“What Beyonce's Natural Really Looks Like”). less-than-vocal interviews maintain includes lines “F*ck edges, I'ma let shrivel up/ F*ck fade waves, dread up” “Black Parade” Lion King: Gift 2:47–2:54). says, “This Ain't perm. nappy” “Power” same (Nija 1:49–1:51). defends daughter Blue Ivy's texture lyric “Formation,” heir afros” 0:32–0:35) perhaps criticism looked “matted” ridiculous petition Change.org accrued 6000 signatures “encourage Bey comb it” (Eggert). tasteless attacks child's attest “kinky bad permeated society. pressured sides style If decide natural, face “unruly” “unprofessional,” weaves wigs (which go-to protective unprocessed hair) trying white. relax placing health, proven toxic unhealthy. From perspective, decolonizing extend our we choose (including colors Eurocentric). scholarly conversations highlight light- non-Black variation warrants discussion. find show forfeited “acceptable Blackness” afforded called question. Following first single Super Bowl halftime performance, fans non-fans) took express surprise outrage choices imagery depicted performance. dancers wore revealing, all-black renditions militant uniforms reminiscent Panthers circa 1960s. choreography “get formation” soldiers. Mwansa “the booty-shaking, empowering universal themes overcoming heartbreak actually sudden, uncomfortable” (Mwansa). A subsequent episode Saturday Night Live discomfort skit entitled “The Day Turned Black” depicts watching collectively reacting interrogatives “Beyoncé Black?” (1:33–1:34), alluding unfamiliar songs “Put Ring It,” hit turned catch-the-bouquet anthem that, sassy assertive lyrics, decidedly unracialized. however, unapologetic, culturally Southern references “hot sauce bag swag”6 0:43–0:46). lost listeners aspects culture, nuances invariably translation. addition left un-decoded masses, Lives Matter-aligning video, Melissa Harris-Perry writes, “[I]n 2016, star, chose problem.” cites “stream cell-phone videos fatal encounters local police [which] sustained national quarters, came down other” branding states “chose blackness rejected it, taking never wavering.” Like overt politicization direct reaction protest unending string killings unarmed controversial scene sits atop car sinks flood waters 4:29; 4:32), instances brutality government's lethargic urgently dangerous, then lethal, conditions following hurricane Katrina. officers issued short-lived threat provide security concert “anti-police” (Boursiquot). released statement Elle magazine “anyone perceives message anti-police completely mistaken. admiration respect families sacrifice themselves keep us safe” Boursiquot). stance can be) anti-police. force proclamation Creole7 (mixed race) heritage mix Negro Texas Bamma’” (0:27–0:31) it/I stunt yellow bone 0:46–0:49).” Yellow term describe Davis argues “there palpable difficulty accepting respecting famous, normatively desirable, descent truly comprehend trauma suffering diaspora” (11). prevailed people's interpretation above-mentioned “Formation.” context, deeply problematic. label “Creole” example, set apart celebrate ancestry (Rowley, 2016) suggestion “yellow-bone” support attaining goals alludes awareness phenotype, challenge persisted history. bold words assert self-acceptance, just “yellow bone,” loves features. “Afros,” “negro nose” “Jackson Five nostrils” representative stereotyped both “revolutionary” “unsexy” Blacks, Western beauty. wanted praise aligned beauty,” instead discussed parts, “big lips” butt.” Instead, powerfully, almost defensively, Black. (Luders-Manuel) read self-designation bone” acknowledgment unearned unapologetic pronouncement negate, dilute, undermine identity. socio-political landscape (post-2020's pandemic) renewed capitalism function supremacy anti-Blackness. wealth conspicuous aspirational unrelatable conflict scholar Alicia Wallace itself haters, paparazzi, designer clothing. ultimately stamp approval capitalist oppressed generations said empower” (192). inarguably laud materialism, problematic disparity country specifically Orleans, refer here), necessarily equating economic hardship struggle note concentric position, musically, hip hop least partly explains leanings acquisition luxuries trope modern hop. artifacts affluence them, somehow para-Black Black-adjacent. ascendance Marcy housing projects billionaire status, mud, she's true enjoying ease recent controversy, illustrates w