Standpoints and Perspectives on Race and Representation

The issue of standpoints is central when considering race and representation. From what political perspective do we dream, create, and take action? For those of us who dare to desire something different, who seek to challenge the conventional ways of seeing blackness and ourselves, the issue of race and representation is more than just critiquing the status quo. It involves transforming the image, creating alternatives, and asking critical questions about what types of images subvert the dominant narratives. The goal is to move away from dualistic thinking about good and evil while making space for transgressive images and rebel visions. However, little progress will be made if we transform images without shifting paradigms and changing perspectives.

Critical Reflection on Beyoncé’s Lemonade

Reflecting on Beyoncé’s visual album, *Lemonade*, titled “Moving Beyond Pain,” I celebrate the diverse representation of black women in various forms. At no point do I suggest that the aestheticization of black female beauty—whether ordinary or glamorous—should be viewed as a concern. Too often, my critical comments are mistaken for mere negativity. It’s important to remember that one can offer critique while still holding admiration. I can critique Beyoncé’s work while also appreciating her power and representation. Specifically, I critique how white supremacist aesthetics often influence her self-presentation yet still acknowledge her beauty.

Decolonizing the Black Female Body

Throughout my career, I have consistently advocated for decolonizing the black female body and celebrating its diverse manifestations. Suggestions that I am against forms of feminine beauty are misguided. I am highly critical of sexist-defined notions of beauty, and I oppose any form of beauty that upholds systems of domination, whether based on race, sex, class, or sexuality. Those who judge my appearance as outside traditional markers of femininity—such as makeup, big hair, or stilettos—must believe that glamour only exists in these narrow terms. Silencing critique is harmful, and we must uphold the right to express beauty in various forms while maintaining a commitment to critical thinking and free speech.

A Celebration of Black Female Beauty

In a previous essay, I wrote about Iman, I celebrated black female beauty. Here’s an excerpt:

“Anyone with an eye for beauty knows that black women are among the most beautiful in the world. Across the globe, regardless of the community’s size, an incredible diversity of looks, height, weight, shape, color, and hair texture can be found among black women. No single description could adequately capture the vast array of loveliness that exists. This natural beauty has necessitated the creation and institutionalization of a white supremacist beauty aesthetic in predominantly white societies. This aesthetic serves as propaganda, denying the reality of black beauty and perpetuating the notion that the pinnacle of beauty is fair skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes.”

The Impact of White Supremacist Aesthetics

Incredibly, this aesthetic—rooted in the desire of white-skinned despots to dominate—has had a significant impact on the Western world. Even biblical translations have been altered, such as the Song of Songs, where “I am dark and comely” was changed to “I am dark but comely.” This shift was symbolic of how civil rights and women’s liberation movements challenged regimes of white supremacy and imperialism. A resurgence of black nationalism linked the fates of Africans and African Americans. During this cultural revolution, “black is beautiful” became a powerful declaration of pride and resistance.

The Liberating Power of “Black is Beautiful”

For black people worldwide who had suffered the colonizing effects of white supremacist beauty standards, the phrase “black is beautiful” was profoundly liberating. It was as if the truth of black beauty—silenced for so long—was finally being spoken again. Those forced to lower their eyes could now look up and joyfully proclaim, “How right they are to adore you! I am black and comely. Do not look down upon me.”

Growing up with five sisters in the apartheid South, in a family where my brother adored us, I understood black female beauty as a fact of life. White folks may not have recognized it, but that was no consequence. We were the world in our own segregated space, and it was beautiful and good—because it was ours.

Beauty and Feminist Politics

It’s entirely possible to critique modes of glamour while still appreciating it. Feminist politics seeks to liberate the female gaze, so women need not choose who is more committed to being beautiful. More importantly, we must ask how our lives and work demonstrate a commitment to justice and feminist politics.