In the corners of the internet that I tend to frequent, a bit of a discussion has erupted about the moral/cultural/political value of Beyonce’s smoke/fire/dance extravaganza. Honestly, I have nothing intelligent to add to the discussion. However, Ben Howard ( from OnPopTheology.com ) has written some brilliant words about the conversation about Beyonce. They apply to all of us that venture into the public forum of blogging/tweeting/etc. Here are a few of his brilliant words:
It’s fascinating to me that the opinions regarding this event seem to have been shaped entirely based off the pre-conceived notions of what the writer in question perceived Beyonce to be. If you thought she was a representation of strong female values, that was what you saw on stage. If you thought she was a representation of over-sexualized pop music, then you saw that on the stage.
But I’m not writing this in order to give “my take” on Beyonce. I’m writing it to say that I get bored.
I get bored of warmed over culture wars served with a bitter slice of piety. I get bored of pre-determined answers being given to pre-determined questions. I get bored of hearing the same conversation over and over and over again with a different pop star, athlete, or movie serving as the object of adoration/derision.
What I crave, what I absolutely crave, is a little creativity. People allowing themselves to stretch and consider other views, refusing to let their assumptions become static or immutable. The kind of creative thinking that allows us to change our minds and think about things in a new way. That allows us the freedom to let our ideas shift and develop. The kind of mindset that lets us accept that we might, just maybe, be wrong…
I honestly believe that the more open we are, the more we push ourselves to question and doubt the things we hold to be so clear and obvious, the more hospitable we can be. I believe that we can have better dialogue and create relationships that cross ideological lines.
Who knows? If we try hard enough we might even remember to treat the Beyonce’s of the world like they’re human again.
Read the whole thing here: “Beyonce is Who We Thought She Was”
[ caution: includes pictures of Beyonce ]