Beyonce Thinks Girls Actually Run the World

Musical artist Beyonce has a new single out entitled, "Run the World (Girls)." The song is no doubt within the "Girl Power" genre and uses its punch, grind and roar to rally the troops.

As a feminist I was never able to embrace the mid-90s Girl Power scene. It seemed to exist because at that time there were many female music artists coming out with number one hits. Major music mags were calling the period, "a time for women in music", as if women had been hiding or non-existent until then.

Flipping  through the pages of Rolling Stone Magazine and SPIN Magazine at that time was quite depressing as women were rarely referred to as "musicians" without the word "female" before it. Women weren't placed in the general "musician" category because music is male dominated and the attitude is that if there is a woman who is a musician she is exceptional. An absurd concept as there have been female music makers since the very beginning.

I am more so connected with the Riot Girl or Riot Grrrl scenes in the 80s and 90s than the Girl Power scene of the mid-90s and the folk music generations that have always been with us. Folk music a raw expression of storytelling and poety lyricism that is often the basis for other forms of music. Notable musicians such as Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, and Ani Difranco, have inspired countless musicians of all genres with their art and politics.

Riot Girl was an underground punk scene that embraced empowerment over issues such a sexism, rape, and domestic violence. It promoted personal autonomy, a DIY ethic, art and socio-political activism. I was an wee lass during that time and unaware, but as an adult now, I see Riot Girl as a good example of proactive women in music who were interested in making music without selling themselves as an ornament for display.

Even with all this music herstory, "Women in Rock" or "Women in Punk" became a double edged sword. It's always great to recognize women in a male dominated arena but when done improperly the lasting idea remaining is that women in music is something exceptional rather than a rule. During the 90s, I never once read a music article that not only praised a woman's talent but also insisted that women have been talented for ions alongside men. It's much safer to state that women are great without addressing the issue as to why women have had to prove that they too can be talented.

In air of the Girl Power trend it seemed that the notion of girl empowerment through music was separated into two categories. Heavyweights Alanis Morissette and The Spice Girls were two of name that seemed to sum up the atmosphere of Girl Power. On the Alanis side, we had women who adored the song "You Outta Know" (I was one of them) and felt that they too could be angry and not feel ashamed. For better or for worse, it felt good to feel empowered in our anger against the men who hurt us. It was a way to vent and release pain and frustration. And then we had The Spice Girls telling us to be positive and happy. There is nothing wrong with this at all, but the Girls o' Spice, didn't really give us any explanation and didn't offer any substance, depth or real inspiration.

During that time period I personally don't think that Morissette was polluting our airwaves with attention seeking lyrics for profit gain. The Spice Girls on the other hand; well, that's a different story. But let me not stray too far here.

Here we are in 2011 and the Girl Power songs seem to come in different packaging. Oversexualized songs which market an illogical hope to bring forth female empowerment by showing men just how much of a sex object women can be; or self praising songs which offer nothing more than a concept of overcompensation in attempts to promote equality. Beyonce's video and song seem to be a combo platter of the two. 

Beyonce - Run the World (Girls)

I'm repping for the girls who're taking over the world have me raise a glass for the college grats ...
i'll let you know what time it is
You can't hold me I broke my 9 to 5 and cut my check
This goes out to all the women getting it in get on your grind
To other men that respect what I do please accept my shine
Boy you know you love it how we're smart enough to make these millions
Strong enough to bear the children then get back to business
You better not play me oh come here baby
Hope you still like me if you hate me My persuasion can build a nation
In this hour our love we can devour
You'll do anything for me
Who run the world? Girls

First let me say that I have no idea as to whether Beyonce truly thinks that women run the world or that women have the potential to do so. I'm not sure if she wrote the song or if it was co-written or if the lyrics were not of her own making. I will say, that the lyrics are trite in concept. Girls run the world just because she says so and because the lyrics are set to a fist pumping beat. Beyonce has presented songs like this before as a solo artist and when she was part of the musical group Destiny's Child.

I believe that women are influential and that a sense of self empowerment is important. Self empowerment through, accomplishment, contentment, introspection, personal growth, education, employment. Empowerment through knowledge, through the will to persevere, through making mistakes, through connection, through relationships, through health and wellness, through spirituality, through sexuality, through patience, understanding, falling short, through strengths, weakness, fatigue, energy, and so much more. Women have proven a lot over the years and this is nothing to dismiss. The feminist movement in general has come a long way and this too is nothing to dismiss.

My issue with Beyonce's song is that it presents a falsehood. Women do not run the world. Even if this is a song of hope and promotion, I cannot get on board with the idea that either sex should be superior to another. I don't want one sex over another to run the world. Pushing the notion that women can DO MORE than men and/or ARE MORE than men is not a promotion of equality but rather a reinstatement of sexism.

Beyonce's song suggests that girls rule because women can work, make their own money, graduate from college, and raise children. These are great accomplishments of value however patriarchy stands taller. True girl power is more than just being able to do the same things that men do. It's more than placing women in political positions of power, it's more than multi-tasking, it's more than independence.

A song about how girls run the world or should run the world wouldn't even exist if there wasn't an overwhelming system known as patriarchy that actually rules over women. I highly doubt that after hearing Beyonce's song and viewing her video's kickass dance choreography, will men (gay and straight) burst with popcorn like epiphanies and realize that it is finally time to set down some male privilege. A rebel song does not equate to true equality among sexes.

Girls do not run the world as long as rape still exists.
Girls do not run the world if some men feel threatened by a female supervisor in the work place.
Girls do not run the world as long as pornography exists.
Girls do not run the world when sexual dominance exists.
Girls do not run the world when domestic violence exists.
Girls do not run the world when a female has to worry that a man may think what she is wearing is an invitation for sex.
Girls do not run the world when female genital mutilation exists.
Girls do not run the world when a man thinks it is a insult to refer to another man as a "bitch", a "pussy" or anything else that is stereotypically feminine.
Girls do not run the world when they are deemed as "bitches" by men and women alike.
Girls do not run the world when being female is a barrier to obtaining a position that is typically carried out by men.
Girls do not run the world when they are expected to uphold stereotypical gender roles.

The list goes on and on and on.

Women all over the world continue to fight for equality but at this point and time patriarchy wins. And while girl power songs may feel good and make us feel empowered it is important to know that ignorance is bliss and an awesome beat doesn't challenge oppressing forces.

I am not opposed to songs of empowerment, I am opposed to anything that is not the truth. Beyonce's song will no doubt garner popularity as I think there will be many women who will want to dance to a song that tells them that they are powerful. This may seem like innocent fun but it is actually harmful. By doing this we deny that sexism exists and to deny that is to deny a need for action and to deny that there is anything left to be done.

I think it's important to acknowledge the positives that feminism has brought forth but it's also important to recognize where we need to go from here.