As we all know there was this infamous photo of Beyoncé on a talk show (Wendy Williams I believe) where her belly looked suspect. Since then I believe she's admitted to a surrogate, but either way Beyoncé was heavily criticized for faking her pregnancy. People claimed she did not want to ruin her body. This was troubling because it plays into the idea of black women wanting babies "for show" versus being a mother to that child. Once that baby was born and started growing, people accused Beyoncé of not doing her hair. They said she was letting her baby walk around looking "crazy", when the reality is this was a 2/3 year old toddler who wore her hair in a fro. There is this continued notion of Beyoncé not being a true or good mother. Because Beyoncé is more concerned with her body; she makes sure she looks good but has her baby "looking a hot mess". All this jargon is trash and stigmas black mothers often face. They need to be crushed! A lot of these comments also typically come from women who play into the hierarchy of respectable women/mothers. This idea is toxic and brought negativity into a moment that was monumental for Beyoncé.
For the announcement of her second pregnancy, Beyoncé let the world know with a bang and a splash! She dropped a whole photo shoot on us and we were not ready! My heart is warm looking at her glow and her belly! While Beyoncé is a fairly modest and private celeb, she shared a lot of herself in these photos. They are gorgeous photos and everything, but a friend of mine on Facebook made a good point as to why Beyoncé really put herself out there:
"The time I spent swiping through the pictures, I couldn't help but think...does she feel like this is the only way to satisfy people?
I mean, she's already shared so much of her motherhood journey (which appears to be a really spiritual one for her, given the imagery), as such a private person. Who's also a celebrity. From a miscarriage, to a rainbow baby and (surrogacy talks) to twins. People have wanted to know more; to always dig and pry."
-Chamille L.
There is this lack of autonomy for her body. Beyoncé has shared her life with the public for over a decade and it seems like there's no way to appease people. They always want more. Chamille also makes the point that Beyoncé's motherhood journey does seems spiritual. I had not even known she had a miscarriage prior to Blue Ivy; but really why should I know? Why does it make a difference whether she carried Blue Ivy? People are critical of her private life and it seems Beyoncé wants to rectify all the criticism although she owes no one such.
People also had an issue with her making her announcement at the start of Black History Month. This was actually pretty funny to me, because Beyoncé is black history. I felt she started this month of with a bang and made the celebration more lit. However, for some individuals conceptualizing Beyoncé as black history is humorous. It is like people want so much from her, they comment so often on her, but they often do not credit this woman. It is draining! I don't know how a woman with countless number of singles, major acting roles in movies, the first of black sisters to be on the number one chart together, a woman who's aiding black liberation movements continuously and sang for our first black president like twice and a bunch of just great, historical and rich stuff, doesn't warrant the category of black history. We chose when to nit pick or reduce Beyoncé and it's not cool. Beyoncé is black history and has left a great impression on the world.
I know I have no need to pity or worry for her; Beyoncé is doing just fine. But it is troubling to see this continued policing of black Women's bodies. I wish her well and safety during this vulnerable time and I cannot wait to see these little ones!
