Beyonce/Baartman

I can't remember which class the topic came up in, but I have heard the story of Sara Baartman before. Honestly, to hear how she was treated makes me sick to my stomach. You would think that after thousands of years of human history, people would have realized that no matter where in the world someone is from, they are a human being. Apparently, for as long as people have created societies, they have found reasons to isolate those who don't fit the norm (enfreakment, as Jeffry Iovannone put it). The comparison of Beyonce to Sara Baartman is a comperable, but debatable one. In a way, both women's bodies are put on display for entertainment, with a fixation point being the buttocks. The major difference lies in why each woman plays the role she does. Baartman had no choice; she was taken from her home and forced to be in freak shows. Beyonce, on the other hand, has a lot more control in how she is portrayed in popular culture. I see Beyonce's performance and sexuality as countering the objectification of African American women by taking it over the top (like Madonna did for women's sexuality). By flaunting it and making it such a common sight in popular media, she is taking away the stare that makes it so degrading. Not only that, but many of Beyonce's lyrics are aimed at empowering women. I give Beyonce a lot of credit as an artist and activist for women's rights.