Opinion
Beyoncé released two country music songs earlier this month and announced that she’s working on a country music album set to drop later this year. She has received backlash for trying to switch genres, a common occurrence when artists make this shift. This backlash has now been framed as a race issue, with country music fans being labeled as “racists” if they express opposition to Beyoncé transitioning into their beloved genre.
Backlash Against Beyoncé
Grio published an op-ed titled “Beyoncé is making a country album. White people like John Schneider need to get over it.” This is in response to Schneider of “Dukes Of Hazzard” fame comparing Beyoncé to a urinating dog when asked about her entry into the country music world.
Full Story: ‘Dukes Of Hazzard’ Star John Schneider Slams ‘Leftist’ Musicians – Compares Beyoncé To Urinating Dog
White People Are Told To ‘Get Over It’
In her Grio op-ed, author Monique Judge made the backlash Beyoncé received about race, arguing that white people “have never wanted us to thrive in areas they consider their own.” Judge directly responds to Schneider, accusing him of racism.
Related: Beyoncé Declares That We Must ‘Dismantle The Racist And Unequal System’
It’s Not About Race
Despite Judge’s arguments, in reality, all musicians face pushback when they switch genres, regardless of race. When Taylor Swift transitioned from country to pop, she faced criticism from both pop and country worlds. Gwen Stefani, Miley Cyrus, and other artists were also criticized when trying to break out of their respective genres without facing accusations of racism.
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