As a black woman living in the diaspora I’ve been thinking a lot about how Beyonce’s Formation is a transformation of my personal struggle song into a collective celebratory boom box anthem. Been thinking about how important it is for black women in high positions of power and leadership to put the black female narrative centre stage.
It is not only essential because it is an act of solidarity a loud ‘I see you and I’m with you’ but also because our narratives are often held …at bay, handcuffed on the periphery of more dominant narratives and often not allowed to take the spotlight. So Beyonce’s Formation becomes a small victory in a bigger narrative where as black women society is largely failing us. It is rare that our narratives are told by us and where the message is for us.
So I would like to take the time to acknowledge all the black women who have placed our agenda at the forefront throughout history and all those currently doing so. With A list black female actors, writers and directors on the rise and movements like say her name led by black women gaining momentum and recognition the formation has begun is happening and will continue to move.
Having been a member of women of colour and black women collectives I acknowledge that as a minority group in Australia it is necessary to create space where it is just us, for us so we can come and exhale together and go out there and continue singing our personal struggle songs with more zeal. If Beyoncé’s Formation is an anthem then these spaces are our hymns.
Tariro Mavondo
