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LOL. I am more impressed with you, Mel, than I am with Beyonce, because I'm using a different criteria. Success isn't always about making millions of dollars; your daughters are the stars in your crown. Also, I tend to believe that astute business man Jay-Z can take a lot of credit for the career moves that have netted Beyonce such big bucks, since most of the ones that had an impact occurred during their marriage, and I'm sure her parents filled this role before him Or can I get enthusiastic over her winning a Grammy for writing the repetitive lyrics to a droning little pop ditty. Obviously the generation gap is at work here. I do give Beyonce credit for being good at what she does; she's a great dancer and can carry a tune and she has benefited from the mistakes of others. But when it comes to being a role model, I'd put her in the same category as an NBA star, All young hoopsters want to be like Mike, but very few will make the cut. These superstars are the stuff of dreams and I'd just advise those young girls who want to follow in their idol's footsteps to have a Plan B in case they aren't lucky enough to duplicate the success of Queen "B".

Me too. Researchers that I've come across tend to separate gender roles from the biological definition of sex. Further, these psychologists separate gender roles from gender stereotypes and have found the similarities between the genders are greater than the differences. I'm fascinated by this subject especially since I'm a fan of Carl Jung Anima/Animus theory and found much of what Jung wrote represented in my own dreams.

Typical Pioneer double talk and subterfuge. 2 guys on this thread agree with some of the things you declare, along with "countless of men and women all over Black America" - a vague phrase that could represent as little as 10 or as many as 10 thousand since the number is countless - agree with your observation. So, according to your spin, this makes it overwhelmingly factual. You'd make a good used car salesman. As it is, in "the world according to Pioneer", you are in the driver's seat and can always be depended on to give tours through a verbal maze of the endless anecdotes and ongoing experiences that you think carry more weight than the anecdotes of other people who don't agree with you. School teachers for centuries have been telling boys to not slouch in their seats, and to curb their aggressive behavior and to pay attention in class. Now after all this time, expecting black boys to buckle down, shape up and attempt to learn something is being blamed for what avid watchers like you perceive as effeminate behavior. I don't deny that there may be something to this, I just need some input from professionals who have conducted tests and done legitimate studies on the subject. BTW, I noticed you haven't observed the correct spelling of my screen name "Cynique". And that's a fact.

Sara While I am skeptical about some of the social analyses presented by CD and Pioneer, I am so proud of them for being 'doers' and not just complainers, for being creative parts of the solution rather than the problem. Thank you. For a long time I WAS just a complainer. But as I found my self getting older, I wanted to see a change while I was young enough to enjoy it....so I got busy.

2Live Crew was trying to be funny, they did not know that it would catch on. You should see their history and the capital that they were able to manipulate because of the astounding success. And to the defense of both, if I may, their lyrics are just an outward celebration of sexuality, which all other cultures are welcome to exhibit, except ours. Beyonce is a married woman, with a child. Enjoy your Red Lobster girl.

Well, Chasitie /Mary Sunshine, you don't dictate the direction posts take on this site. The spontaneous input from others is what makes things stimulating here. If you don't want others to participate in your self-serving posts whose only function seems to be to solicit support for your project, then restrict your posts to your personal web site. This forum is all about exchanging ideas, and it helps to have a sense of humor.

THIS is ridiculous. This post was supposed to b about a book that celebrated a milestone in American culture, one that supported diversity and children...the post became a critique...and when I remarked on the heavy handed criticism of Black folks w a reference to Beyoncé, then that remark was upheld w meaningless debate about Beyoncé. This proves my point. She has donated money and stood up on a way she saw fit...that's it. She is a phenomenon. She didn't tear apart Rihanna, who also stood up for her culture by singing in her home dialect, Rihanna too is a phenomenon. Let's build up things instead of critique the life out of them...especially when it's unnecessary. THIS is not useful and further undermines our usefulness and validity as so called educated people. Yes, I am a fan of Beyoncé, a big one, and Rihanna, and Kendrick, and Nina, and Malcolm and Martin, and Dubois and Washington. If they are adding positively to a cause that effects us, then cool. Tearing them down is not and should not be our job. Everyone else is already doing a fantastic job of that. Even still, you see in protests where no one shows up and " work" being the number one song in America, that ain't nobody studying them either.

Me too... When you read the "Art of Profitability" he discusses the Pinnacle of learning is Artistry. - Awareness, Awkwardness, Application, Assimilation, and when you really get it, you have Artistry. Adrian Slywotzky believes that you will never fully profit from your business unless you understand it. In an effort to truly create value and then capture value you have to understand your market. When you don't, you have a difficult time staying in business. Beyonce has taken her brand of performance and turned it into art. Beyonce can dance, sing and she's attractive -BUT there are many on Broadway and in the studios singing backup - who are just like her. However, she's created and captured the value of her offering by simply knowing who she is and who she's selling to and WORLDWIDE, I might add.. As we know art is subjective - not everyone will like your work...many great artists died penniless only to be discovered in another time. Those artists, I say hadn't reached the pinnacle of Artistry. Cynique mentioned that everyone wants to be like Mike - and many will fall short. Her words turned on a light bulb for me. Michael Jordan is another example of Artistry. In any field, there's no separation between business and artistry.

@Cynique, Agreed! What Beyonce has done with her career can be duplicated in any field! She doesn't make her money off just her songs - Forbes breaks it down here perfectly... But it all starts with a platform to launch from.. Thank you for the kudos - Being a mom is my calling - I'm sad I'm an empty-nester but they are happy, kind and productive . So I can't ask for anything more ... Except.... I definitely tell them to study the business model that brings in several revenue streams. I've told them to package their talent and sell that, not their labor if they don't have too. Key insight there regarding what you mentioned about Jay Z , - that is another excellent business skill- selecting strategic partners. Mellody Hobson mentioned the same thing in her Vanity Fair article. You can only get but so far without good partners. It is true she may have only gotten so far with her brand of bubblegum r&b so next step would naturally be to obtain "street cred"... through an established player. These are some of the lessons I missed early on. So I had to step back and really study the women who are where I desire to be. I may not achieve it but I use a lot of what I've gleaned from their business moves to mentor my daughters . I can go on but I already hijacked this thread enough.

Mel, I'm talking about musically and if you go back to the beginning of this I already established all that you wrote with the statement that as a business person she should be respected. I'm talking artistry, let's not confuse what I'm talking about here.

http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Houston/beyonce-inc/35767753.aspx http://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2015/05/27/beyonce-net-worth-in-2015-250-million/#166ae3bb7da5 The aforementioned links are just a snapshot of her business acumen. This is groundbreaking enough to inspire me... and every time I speak or think of entrepreneurial activities, marketing, sales and self-made Beyonce is who I look to. I don't know of other black woman with only a high school education who has taken her talent and worked into a solo success . Merriam -Webster : Success 2 b : favorable or desired outcome; also : the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence Beyonce may not play an instrument but she writes much of her music and either has publishing credits or writers credits - and we know this because when she with Destiny's child, the group won two grammys for writing "say my name" - This in my opinion broke the mold of female group exploitation... These young women had ownership of their product... Maybe other young girl groups can claim the same but the groups in my generation usually found themselves broke because they had no writers credit or publishing of their very popular songs.. At a reported $250 million in 2015 - she owns herself. This too is inspiring in the day and age where many of us are drowning in debt... owning nothing but what the bank allows us to share with them... I too came from a middle class background. My parents did their best to keep me at a positive net worth...but today, sometimes, I just wish to get to a net worth of 0 ...So when I look at Baby Girl Bey and see that she took her voice and writing ability and turned it into an empire ... Well, that's nothing but inspirational.

Nina Simone is beautiful, so was her art as is that of Shonda, Kerry, Rihanna, and any other sista out there ruling the world...including Beyonce. They are all aware of ywhat's going on or they would all say nothing, which is true of none of them. We are all Beyonce's audience which is why this post has turned into one encircling her magic. Like she said...you know you that.....when you cause all this conversation.

Maybe. But they don't seem to have any trouble sitting down playing video games all day. Nobody goes outside and runs around anymore. Boredom probably attributes to the restless behavior of a lot of young boys rather than an impluse to act like males. Teachers might have better luck if they make learning more interesting.

@CDBurns Thank you very much for your feedback again. Constructive feedback as opposed to counterproductive cynicism will always prove most powerful over time. I am truly grateful for your kind words in regards to my blogs; I have the responsibility to keep up my blogs, and I will. I was able to take your constructive criticism and grow, even in this short time. Here is my new website, and blog: http://www.cgoodwork.com/ Many blessings to you brother, and keep shining your light with your wonderful work as well.