The pop song “***Flawless” by Beyoncé featuring Chimamanda is a female anthem that provides a reminder to women that they’re the rulers of their own lives and live in no one’s shadow. The line “I took some time to live my life/ Don’t get it twisted, get it twisted/ This my sh—, bow down b——es” gives off a strong message that you, the woman, are the real ruler. Throughout the song, Beyoncé speaks from her point of view-- one where she doesn’t live in JAY-Z’s shadow.

 

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie plays a huge part in the song, entering a powerful monologue as Beyoncé speaks her views on feminism. It promotes awareness for the praising of well-being and the independence of being a woman. The song really represents how women were conditioned to be the “inferior” gender since the beginning of time. We as women are taught that we can’t be too rich, too independent, or up-scale in the business ladder because we’ll make men feel intimidated. 

 

The only way to “fix” that is to make an attempt to control a woman’s sexuality and their behavior. Why are women called slurs for being comfortable in their sexuality? If men partake, they’re called casanovas? But it’s unacceptable for women? Beyoncé is accepting and supporting Adichie's facts by including her in a song praising women.

 

Adichie says, “We teach girls to shrink themselves, to make themselves smaller. We say to girls, ‘you can have ambition, but not too much, you should aim to be successful, but not too successful, because otherwise you will threaten the man.'” When she mentions that people dream of being in “her world” and should “bow down,” she is putting herself in a king-like position-- a larger than life state, and moreover, a “man’s” position. Beyoncé is talking about how women look up to her as an image of success. She is in no way “shrinking” or “making herself smaller” as women have been taught; she is instead empowering herself into being a strong, proud and successful woman who stands tall. 

 

That’s why the song exists; it’s a reminder that in the face of imperfection or failure, she’s flawless. And, she’s here to remind you that you’re flawless, too. “I woke up like this, flawless.” The message behind “***Flawless” is to embrace imperfection. Embracing your imperfections and loving who you are as you are the way you wake up – that confidence yields flawlessness. In Beyoncé’s eyes, her picture of feminism is flawless and I agree with her. As a reminder ladies, embrace your imperfections,  live in your own shadow, and don’t depend on any man to make you feel like you aren’t enough, because you’re more than that.