Beyoncé is a well known performer, fashion designer, Jay-Z’s wife,
and probably the most famous new mom in the world. But could she also
be considered a social change agent? Kevin Allred, a doctoral student
and lecturer in Rutgers’ Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, where
he teaches “Politicizing Beyoncé,” thinks so. though, he says, she may not be “political” in the traditional sense.
“This isn’t a course about Beyoncé’s political engagement or about the many times she performed during President Obama’s inauguration weekend,” he says. Rather, her music and career are used as lenses to explore American race, gender, and sexual politics. Allred pairs Beyoncé’s music videos and lyrics with readings from the Black feminist canon, including the writings of bell hooks, Alice Walker, and even abolitionist Sojourner Truth.
Kevin Allred and Beyonce pictured below.
“This isn’t a course about Beyoncé’s political engagement or about the many times she performed during President Obama’s inauguration weekend,” he says. Rather, her music and career are used as lenses to explore American race, gender, and sexual politics. Allred pairs Beyoncé’s music videos and lyrics with readings from the Black feminist canon, including the writings of bell hooks, Alice Walker, and even abolitionist Sojourner Truth.
Kevin Allred and Beyonce pictured below.
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