Beyonce's Lemonade and the Black Female Narrative

"The most disrespected person in America is the black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the black woman. The most neglected person in America is the black woman." -Malcom X

Beyonce's visual album, Lemonade, showcases the American South, Voodoo, an Afrocentric utopia, and a very personal narrative revolving around infidelity. In it, the previous quote by Malcolm X is featured. Lemonade is pivotal in the way that it brings the black female narrative to light. Beyonce makes a social commentary on the role of African American women throughout history in relation to their roles in the domestic sphere. The artist is hailed as a visionary, because the struggles of African American women have been severely underplayed throughout history.

However, I am weary of this visual album. It has been brought to my attention that if it were not for the visuals, Beyonce would be missing have major missing components as a voice of African American activism. In her popular music video "Formation," the singer is bringing attention to police brutality. Furthermore, at the Super Bowl Halftime show last year, she alluded to the Black Panther Party. And yet, there seems to be a lack of followthrough about the message she is trying to convey about activism. Seemingly, Beyonce is attempting to be a symbol of progress, but without a clear purpose. Is it merely enough to just bring attention to a narrative that has been neglected throughout history, or should Beyonce be held to higher standards due to her large social capital?