Beyonce Syndrome

I recently gave up and resigned my position with Hope Communities in Denver, CO. It is a company that works in the low urban housing industry. I held a maintenance supervisor position for a year and a half with them, in the downtown area called Five Points. After reading this quest and trying to decide what negative effects of pop culture have on society, it was clear to me that I should speak of the so called “Beyonce Syndrome”, because I was able to see and experience it myself first hand.


 After doing some research, I found this article that hit the nail on the head in many of my sightings and feelings for this new younger African American culture. In this article Brian E. claims that, “The Beyonce Syndrome” is a system of beliefs, behaviors and values that: 1). Has implanted into the collective sub-conscience of young women, especially young women of color, the idea that thugs, rappers, drug dealers, gang bangers, criminals, abusers and womanizers are not only acceptable as mates, but should in fact be the ideal. 2). Has completely changed the perception for women of what the ideal man should be, with disastrous consequences.3). Has given young women a value system void of substance, that cheapens their image/bodies, and works against establishing good strong families. 4). Teaches women to put undue value on material possessions and looks.5). Teaches women of color to use sex/their bodies to get what they want and show as much skin as possible.


 Now with that said, I have gone on many after hours calls where I would physically observe African American girls acting, dressing, speaking and playing like they were in fact a mini Beyonce, Mya, or Rhiana. They would not just pretend or imitate these role models behind closed doors, but in the community playgrounds, basketball parks, and even in the apartment building parking lots as well. The problem that I have is that the music, in which these girls do sing about at times, has to do with “thug” or thug image, mentality. These songs normalize thug culture; today`s kids do not even understand and are way too young in my opinion to start acting and imitating women that obviously do not care what they are really doing to their own kind through their music. Even young boys are influenced by this music and want and become thugs even more so. They are at as much risk as the girls or even more so I would say. They are encouraged to act out, join gangs, sell drugs, and disrespect authority. Knowing that this is what the mini Beyonce’s want, so they try to impress girls with this new pop culture of being a thug is normal, cool and accepted.


 One of the things that bother’s me the most is our first lady Michelle Obama and her total support of Beyonce and her music, and giving the younger African American girl the go ahead, stamp of approval on this negative pop modern culture influence. Now, I am not saying or agreeing that all of the music is bad or making are younger society act in a thug manner, but to a certain degree this is in fact doing exactly what Brian E claims. By listening to certain songs and then relating to them through personal experiences and intimidating female role models in these manners can and will influence the younger generations over time and effect the decisions that they will make. This is what scares me about growing old, and leaving our countries future in the hands of children and younger adults with these influences.


 I would also like to add that this is not only going to influence African American culture, but all cultures. One could say that we have a "Hilton Syndrome" and a "Kardashian Syndrome" that adresses different issues of negative pop culture on our society.