Beyonce Knowles isn’t just “The Worlds Most Beautiful Woman” and mother of Blue Ivy, she is now also an awarding winning journalist. When did Beyonce become a journalist you ask? Good question, I was wondering the same thing. Think back to the July 2011 when Beyonce wrote her Essence magazine article titled ”Eat, Play, Love,” a piece justifying her decision to take nine months away from her career to travel and find herself. Well she won an award from the New York Association of Black Journalists for that article. Award-winning sentences include:
“I had talked about taking a vacation before, but always ended up in the studio after two weeks, so no one believed me. This time, though, I was serious. I was going to give myself a year to do the things I never get to do. Simple things like play with my nephew, pick him up from school, visit museums, go to concerts, see some Broadway shows, learn to cook a meal and spend time with my husband… Yes, I needed some relaxation, but I wanted inspiration too, from regular everyday things. They did not have to be over-the-top productions. I was looking for tiny moments that would speak to my heart and make me smile…”
“In Capri I ate pizza and drank red wine every Sunday. I discovered I love artichokes and that a salad and fresh fish are not only healthy choices but incredibly delicious.”
With such an impressive article (Sarcasm), naturally, the decision to give Beyonce a journalism award has come under fire by veteran journalists and everyday readers.
“Beyoncé is getting an award along with Robert Naylor, a thirty-year reporter who chaired the Associated Press Diversity Council and founding member of the LGBT Task Force and the late Gil Noble, who hosted “Like It Is” since 1967 and interviewed Adam Clayton Powell, Muhammad Ali, Bill Cosby and Dr. Martin Luther King. Beyoncé wrote an article about a 9-month vacation,” said online columnist Amber Rose for Mused Web site.
Meanwhile, Mr. Feeny, president of the New York chapter, insists the entertainer is being awarded solely for her writing (not celebrity) and that her award doesn’t negate heavy hitters in the journalistic field.
“This is just one award,” he said. “I know a lot of people are upset but we are honoring a lot of outstanding journalists on that night.” He added: “Beyoncé is a role model. I hope this honor will inspire other girls to pursue a career in journalism.”
We agree though that last statement makes him lose some credibility to what he otherwise denounces.
Cori Murray, the magazine’s entertainment director, said that Beyoncé was “a real writer.” “We had to edit her, but everyone gets edited except Toni Morrison,” he said.
Again, not the strongest words to say to further points in why she was awarded.
The Twitter and Facebook outrage is equally strong. Pharoh Martin wrote: “I just threw my journalism degree in the trash.” (PC)
So do you agree with the Critics or the New York Association of Black Journalists
