Before we gathered for the holidays, one of my two sisters suggested that we three put on our own routine of Beyoncé’s video, “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It),” to celebrate being together and entertain the rest of the family (but mostly ourselves). Somewhere a very incriminating video is floating around (minus the heels and the leotards but, hey, we’re minus Beyoncé’s other talents, too). This is what I love about having sisters. You will do ridiculous things with people who’ve shared your bathtub.
(click the youtube logo if it won’t play here)
But now I can’t get that song out of my head. It’s so retro and so camp, such a throwback. “If you liked it then you should have put a ring on it”? “Say I’m the one you own”? Really? Why didn’t they just wear aprons and go barefoot in the video? No, that wouldn’t have made the most of her or her video clones’ assets. Is there a genetic lab somewhere creating these glorious amazons? Don’t get me wrong, if I looked like Beyoncé, I’d wear a leotard – and probably a lot less – 24/7.
Lest there be confusion, this is not a rant about gyrating videos and owning women. I think Beyoncé is very much her own woman, as are nearly all of the women that I know.
And maybe that’s who she’s really singing to – the ladies. And not just the single ladies. Beyoncé is powerful and fierce. She’s telling people not to mess with us. She’s telling us to stand up and flaunt what we’ve got and tell the world that WE own it: “If you liked it then you should have put a ring on it.”
I’ve liked a lot of things that I haven’t bothered to speak up for or say “I WANT THAT.” I’m not talking about material things. I’m talking about what stokes my fire, what wakes me up at 4:30 am nearly every morning, the things that make me want to PUT MY HAND UP. I want to put a ring on causes like the local food bank, literacy and pet rescue. I am willing to SHAKE IT about caring for others and myself.
So Happy New Year, Beyoncé. You’ve got my attention. My hand is UP. Now where’s my leotard…
What are you putting a ring on this year?
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By Laurie Foley
Laurie Foley helps solo professionals discover their natural brand so that they can get clear, get noticed and get clients. Sign up to receive your free copy of The Inner Brandifesto, her popular guidebook full of brand-building exercises.
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You have finally discovered the future President – she or someone like her is inevitable someday. Politics will converge with entertainment, and I’m not just sayin’ that out of cynicism. There is only so much mindspace and mass entertainment is rapidly crowding out more “serious” affiliations. Think about it: if just a small percentage of the people most-aware of entertainment choose to focus on electing someone…
Now that you mention it… President Oprah? I’m taking bets.
Oprah is a good bet – Beyonce is probably too pretty.