(ThyBlackMan.com) In school we are asked what we want to be when we grow up. Once we have an idea we tend to look for role models to pattern ourselves after. Career role models are very helpful as they give us an idea of the basic steps that are necessary to achieve said goal. If a young girl decides she wants to be a mega pop star with excellent entertainment quality, and stage presence then Beyonce is a good career role model. She works hard; no one can take that away from her. However most young women won’t, and can’t, be pop stars. If this is the case Beyoncé Knowles may not be the best role model.
When looking for a role model to pattern our womanhood after we truly ought not look to popular entertainment culture. It’s very hard to determine where they stand about certain areas of womanhood because their profession might look contradictory to the natural eye. It is not bashing, judging, nor condemnation to be able to discuss the foundation we would like to establish for young black girls. It is not wrong to want our young sistas to value their mind, confidence and esteem from within…instead of their value being 
such a physical entity. I won’t say Beyonce is a bad person because I do not know her, and it is my opinion that she handles her degree of stardom rather gracefully. However, I would love to see more of our black girls look towards our First Lady Michelle Obama, or other strong educated women that dominate their fields…and exude a very confident position both gracefully and intellectually.
Young girls must understand skin does not equal class nor sexy, and it sends the wrong message. Some of our young girls can’t differentiate between Beyoncé on stage verse Beyoncé the wife and mother…because of this she ought not be the standard for a role model. Being strong and independent does not mean one must cast away feminine virtue, nor have a men aren’t necessary attitude. While many of our girls may be having an I AM WOMAN Beyonce moment…I often wondered did they forget the same woman is a wife and mother. While she was being “crowned” King B…did it send a message to our young girls that the Queen position was no longer powerful? I dig her music so it isn’t a diss; we should be able to raise conscious questions and have true discussion when it comes to the forces that influence our children.
The Queen position has always been the most powerful chess piece, and it always will be such. Our young girls need real life role models that will teach them how to be their most powerful and gracious queen. It’s not about having an attitude, but having a presence that commands the respect and loyalty of a space. I want to see black girls that are so powerful and confident within that they inspire, through their standard of living, young black boys to become their strongest King selves. Our young girls need to see the sistas that mother, encourage, spiritually empower and stand along strong black men to lead a community. Every woman is her own person, and she must will her grace according to the nature of who she is individually. Yet, even with that being said feminine class and decorum is needed regardless of our individuality.
Our young girls don’t get to see that in Beyonce…we mostly see performances and listen to her music. As much as I love Beyonce I hope the sista knows that Queen B will always be stronger than King B. We don’t have to wear masculine titles to embody power nor greatness. This isn’t about being self-righteous this is about wanting to see black girls be their best selves as they will, one day, be the mothers of our community. If you want to be a mega star Beyoncé is of those to study, but to build community…she ought not be the standard.
Staff Writer; Christian Starr
May connect with this sister over at Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/christian.pierre.9809 and also Twitter; http://twitter.com/MrzZeta.
