To say that it may seem as though images are innocent and have no real impact on those viewing them, would be a naïve statement and one that needs rethinking. Visual culture can lead to certain images, people, objects, etc. to have either positive or negative connotations to them. It is important to critically analyze the visual and …show more content…
Although the images of this can seem frightening and graphic, Beyoncé does not mean this in a literal sense by any means but its trying to prove her point of the fact that males can become consumed within the male gaze and may take it lightly but soon can find themselves fixated on viewing females through the male gaze lens and become addicted with no way out. Through the use of images and visual, Beyoncé is showing the viewers that the media lures and entices heterosexual males into becoming slaves to their creation of the male gaze. Beyoncé does this through the oppositional gaze.
In the article The Oppositional Gaze by bell hooks states that “women can construct an oppositional gaze via an understanding and awareness of the politics of race and racism”. (p. 123) It is clear that Western societies portray women of color or ethnic women in very sexualizing and sometimes degrading manners and exoticize them. Often times, black women are sexualized through images of their butts, Beyoncé is no exception. Besides being very talented vocally, she is also highly publicized because of her thicker figure and