Friday, October 6, 2017
Ethos in "Run the World (Girls)
The extrinsic ethos of "Run the World (Girls)" is the credibility of the singer Beyonce. If you asked anyone in the world if they have heard of Beyonce, 98% of the answer will be "yes". Beyonce is a well known icon of feminism everywhere ever since she joined the music industry in 1995. Her career first took off when she joined the well-known R&B group named "Destiny's Child" which repeatedly hit the top charts. Her fame continued after she left the group with her influential music and performances, stunning all types of audiences, finally emerging as one of the best selling artist of all time. She is also active in the philanthropic field, being involved of many foundations such as the Survivor Foundation and Chime for Change. Her many actions of different types of insight can be connected to many of her songs to the overarching theme of women empowerment. Songs ranging from "Independent Women"(2001) and "Survivor" (2004) to "Run the World (Girls)"(2011) and "Formation"(2016) are some of the most influential songs for women across the world. Beyonce also successfully portrays herself through the text of her song "Run the World (Girls)" by building her argument with intrinsic ethos. By conveying her message of which gender is the more powerful in the world, it portrays her own kind of character. Using lyrics such as, "My persuasion can build a nation" allows her to connect with the audience convincing that she is able to make women's self-assurance greater over men. This example, out of many, creates her role as fearless leader, adding a greater reputation towards her justification. As a successful African American woman with many credentials, she is able to encourage her wide audience, including youths and minorities, to fight for equality and independent rights.
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Cassidy,
ReplyDeleteYou make awesome points about extrinsic ethos, which Beyonce clearly has in spades. And you do a nice job presenting her biography. What about intrinsic ethos? Is there anything here that adds up to that?
CB
Beyonce is so well-known and admired that she has the perfect platform to make a stand and to promote a cause or message. The fact that she has made such a name for herself and truly "runs the world" makes her message even stronger. She is portraying her message through her own life that women are capable of anything, as she has shown through her own success.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Beyonce’s platform had a major role in the success of this song and the spread of its message. For if Beyonce’s name is plastered next to something, it already gains value simply because Beyonce’s a living legacy through her success as an artist and her passion to be a voice for women everywhere. A person can say “women deserve the world” and a person can genuinely agree with them, but if Beyonce says the same thing, the words are suddenly spilled like they’ve been said for the very first time and emotions spiral as they fall for Beyonce’s influence. Influential is a perfect word for Beyonce’s ethos because her life story is jam packed with music that the vast generation grew up listening to. When her life became unstoppable due to her vast reputation and luxury, she is able to freely proceed to use her platform to good use. I like that you noted her philanthropy as well as her success as a singer and performer. Her extrinsic ethos is very strong, but is there also intrinsic ethos?
ReplyDeleteAside from her involvement with charities, it's helpful to note that she also gives swaths of money to individual causes. For example, she donated money to pay bail for protesters that were arrested for acting against police brutality. She also started a scholarship fund for women of color. I think things like this add to the authenticity of the beliefs and calls to action that she presents in her music.
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