Audible Voices: A Chorus of Women
It is the middle of June 1954, the excitement in the air is palpable, accosted by the sweltering southern heat the women begin to poor into the auditorium. An eager chatter can be heard above the three large industrial fans churning arduously sweeping the oppressive heat from one side of the room to the other. As I scan the room it fills quickly, I can’t help but notice the large banner on the south wall. My attention is quickly diverted from the beautifully decorated lettering by a gentle voice. Dear, am I in the right place? Is this the meeting? For months the event has been affectionately referred to as ‘the meeting’ in hushed tones in supermarkets, restaurants, hairdressing parlors, nail salons, and …show more content…
Ms. Truth in your poem Ain’t I a Woman you brilliantly echo the refrain ain’t I a woman. The rhetorical question demands an answer. Yes we are! Yes we are!
(Sudden ovation and applause… the audience continues to chant, yes we are…)
The fact that we are women does not suggest that we should be unjustly subject to economic exploitation. Francis Beale notes, “the financial exploitation of women acts as an escape valve for capitalism.” The system of capitalism needs to be interrupted and alerted to the presence and power of the black woman.
(Applause)
Beyonce Knowles: While many have criticized me for my expression. I have chosen to use art as a medium to discuss the black experience. Undoubtedly, the black woman has always faced a litany of challenges such as– sexual and economic exploitation, demonization for exuding strength in business environments -criminalization within the school system among other atrocities that have prompted new movements such as Black Girls Rock, and Black Girls Matter. In my visual album I attempt to reimagine a reemergence of the black woman through strong imagery and symbolism geared toward creating agency so that our voices become
It is the middle of June 1954, the excitement in the air is palpable, accosted by the sweltering southern heat the women begin to poor into the auditorium. An eager chatter can be heard above the three large industrial fans churning arduously sweeping the oppressive heat from one side of the room to the other. As I scan the room it fills quickly, I can’t help but notice the large banner on the south wall. My attention is quickly diverted from the beautifully decorated lettering by a gentle voice. Dear, am I in the right place? Is this the meeting? For months the event has been affectionately referred to as ‘the meeting’ in hushed tones in supermarkets, restaurants, hairdressing parlors, nail salons, and …show more content…
Ms. Truth in your poem Ain’t I a Woman you brilliantly echo the refrain ain’t I a woman. The rhetorical question demands an answer. Yes we are! Yes we are!
(Sudden ovation and applause… the audience continues to chant, yes we are…)
The fact that we are women does not suggest that we should be unjustly subject to economic exploitation. Francis Beale notes, “the financial exploitation of women acts as an escape valve for capitalism.” The system of capitalism needs to be interrupted and alerted to the presence and power of the black woman.
(Applause)
Beyonce Knowles: While many have criticized me for my expression. I have chosen to use art as a medium to discuss the black experience. Undoubtedly, the black woman has always faced a litany of challenges such as– sexual and economic exploitation, demonization for exuding strength in business environments -criminalization within the school system among other atrocities that have prompted new movements such as Black Girls Rock, and Black Girls Matter. In my visual album I attempt to reimagine a reemergence of the black woman through strong imagery and symbolism geared toward creating agency so that our voices become