We asked Cornellians what they think about Beyoncé’s ‘Formation’

Last week, music icon Beyoncé dropped yet another surprise video titled “Formation.” The video begins with Beyoncé sitting on a police cruiser surrounded in water in New Orleans, Louisiana, as well as flashes of people and scenarios depicting life in Louisiana post Hurricane Katrina. Later on, the video touches on Black empowerment, social injustice and the Black Lives Matter Movement.

Beyoncé’s video has sparked the attentions of many, and has caused a divide. While some think the video is phenomenal, perhaps one of the best of all time, others think it is unnecessary and disrespectful.

We asked Cornellians for their opinions on the video.

Shannon, Freshman, Biology major

“I think that Beyonce’s new video was one that needed to be put in the spotlight. Often times you know, artists feel like they’re taking sides when they make a stance or put out a statement but she made it her mission to make a video. It’s something that everyone’s going to see worldwide that says Black lives do matter and you know, it’s a fight that needs to be addressed.”

Delmar, Freshman, Development Sociology major

“I thought it was really powerful. I guess, people always say like Beyoncé isn’t pro-black, she always wears blonde weaves and people think that she sells out a lot to the community, especially with like campaigns where her skin was lightened. People think she’s just becoming more of an icon and not a Black icon, but with the Super Bowl and the video, she is really making a powerful statement like ‘I am the sh*t, I am a Black woman’.”

Pia, Freshman, Communication major

“I think, generally when I first watched it, I thought it was very complex and had so many layers to it, so I had to watch it several times to pick up on all these subtle things that she incorporated in her video. I thought that it was something that was thought provoking in general.”

Ela, Junior, Biology and Society major

“I really like the video. I really, really love the image of the police car being submerged in the water along with Beyoncé herself. I think it’s kind of bringing about this new age political responsibility for Blackness that I think a lot of celebrities have not done for fear of losing white fans, or like being banned from certain media outlets. Even after her Super Bowl performance there were a bunch of articles like ‘Outrage’ and ‘Black Panthers like the KKK,’ and it’s just like no, get out of here. So I think it’s also not for white people like, it’s for me, it’s for you.”

Chara, Freshman, Undecided major

“I really liked it. I watched it a couple of times. I thought in terms of the video it was very well done. Stylistically, I thought the video was really good. She used so many different kinds of dance formations, and she was dressed in white. There were so many things going on, but it was all put together very well. There were a lot of good things she was trying to say in the video, so that’s important.”

Jonathan, Freshman, Engineering major

“The video was amazing! It was very pro-Black, as well as very powerful. My favorite scene was the little boy dancing in front of the police, and then the police actually put their hands up. To me, that scene screamed “Black child innocence,” and it was just extremely powerful to me.”

Gabby, Sophomore, Communication major

“I feel as though Beyoncé’s music in general has been gravitating more towards political statements, instead of just being music now. She’s using this power that she has as this big public figure to bring up important issues in our society. I don’t have an opinion pro or con against her song in particular. I just feel the way that she’s using her popularity is good, because she’s able to voice opinions that a lot of people feel and it’s helping a minority group who needs their voices to be heard.”