An Analysis of Noah Berlatsky's Article About Beyonce

In the article, Beyoncé, Sex Terrorist: A Menace for Conservatives and Liberals Alike” by Noah Berlatsky, Noah covers the differences and similarities between conservative Bill O’Rielly and liberal Bell Hooks on what kind of example Beyoncé is setting with her actions. Throughout this article Noah compares and contrast the perspectives of complete opposites in the political realm. Despite Bill O’Reilly and Bell Hooks coming from different sides of the political world, the two surprisingly had similar concerns of the video.

Bill O’Reilly, a conservative Fox News pundit “used a segment of his show to express shock at Beyoncé's video “Partition” in which she presents herself having sex in a limo with her husband while name-dropping Monica Lewinsky”. While Bell Hooks, a liberal feminist scholar, “took issue with Beyoncé's Time magazine cover, in which the singer posed in her underwear”. O’Reilly stated, “Teenage girls look up to Beyoncé, particularly girls of color.” He asked, “Why would Beyoncé do that?” Hooks opinion of Beyoncé is an “anti-feminist-that is a terrorist-especially in terms of the impact on young girls”. “Both are worried about the effect of Beyoncé's sexualized body on young girls, and both see that effect in violent terms—as "devastation" and terror”.

Parents in modern society let their children go to concerts where singers such as Beyoncé and Nicki Manaj perform songs such as “Feeling Myself”. The lyrics and performance are to say the least sexual and their performances consist of them wearing almost no clothing. To me that is absolutely a disgrace, knowing both artist are aware the majority of their fan base is the youth. In my opinion, everyone with fame should understand the effects they can have on the public and prevent themselves from endangering the youth. Therefore, being famous in the eyes of the public sets a standard for that person to lead by example in a positive way. Everyone with fame should understand the effects they can have on all of the public and prevent themselves from endangering the youth.

Both O’Reilly and Hooks discuss the “brutalizing effects of Beyoncé’s nudity”. In today’s society, the unthinkable in the past is now merely frowned upon. I personally remember not being allowed to watch PG-13 or rated R movies until I entered high school. Now I know most parents are not as strict as my parents were on movies, but I am sure there are many people that were raised being shielded by their parents from anything that could be harmful to development. Times have changed, now that cussing and obscene gestures are common-place on television and in the music industry.

Parents in modern society let their children go to concerts where singers such as Beyoncé and Nicki Manaj perform songs such as “Feeling Myself”. The lyrics and performance are to say the least sexual and their performances consist of them wearing almost no clothing. To me that is absolutely a disgrace, knowing both artist are aware the majority of their fan base is the youth. In my opinion, everyone with fame should understand the effects they can have on the public and prevent themselves from endangering the youth. Therefore, being famous in the eyes of the public sets a standard for that person to lead by example in a positive way. Everyone with fame should understand the effects they can have on all of the public and prevent themselves from endangering the youth.

Even though I don’t agree with some Beyoncé’s actions I do agree with Noah on the claim Beyoncé has something to say on “sexualization and power”. Beyoncé is an extremely talented singer and a gorgeous human being. Those traits along with being a wealthy African American women give her tremendous power of influence on all women, especially African American women. With the stage set for Beyoncé to have the ability to set a positive example, she needs to be aware at all times that what she does could endanger the development of the youth psychologically. People from different sides of the political world should be able to agree on basic principles of moral values and minimal ethical standards that need to be relayed to the youth.