I've recently had conversation with a few strong confidants about Beyonce's "Single Ladies," the undeniable catchiness of the song despite its stereotypical messages of marriage and gender roles. So here's a piece from the Black Scientist, and then a re-post of Sasha Frere-Jones's New Yorker piece breaking down Bey's catalog of relationship advice under the guise of women's empowerment.
On one hand, she could be saying the single women who want to get married shouldn't stick around with a dude who isn't trying to marry her. I can dig that. Why waste your time? On the other hand, it's a trap your his man marriage ultimatum anthem. I guess you just have to know what you want from a relationship and if you have to coerce or threaten a man to marry you, then it's time to do a little soul-searching and self-assessment.
To me, this song is this album's, "Get Me Bodied." You just gotta dance to it. I file it under the "ignorance is bliss" category but it stimulates discussion of marriage and gender role messages for young women via pop music. Here is the video for your viewing pleasure...enjoy.
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