‘Freedom’, a song in collaboration between Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar regarding the systemic racism and injustices faced by Africans when they were experiencing slavery in the United States. Throughout the song, Beyoncé’s message is quite clear where she is fighting for freedom and equal rights between Americans and African Americans. Obviously, this song was written after the freedom of Africans, however, she addresses the struggles they faced during the time of slavery as well as today, where many police officers unreasonably stop African  Americans, in order to make sure that they do not have weapons or illegal items.

Within the song lyrics, Beyoncé alludes to the meaningless interactions of the police with black men, where the police keep ‘askin’ [black men] what’s in [their] possesion’ because the police heard ‘seven misleadin’ statements ’bout [their] persona’. Beyoncé highlights the fact that many police officers quickly assume black people as criminals even though they have done nothing, therefore, addressing racial discrimination by the police. Although Beyoncé addresses these as if they happen in the past, but in reality, it still does happen. The whole “Black Lives Matter” protest this year was introduced after an African American was murdered by 4 police officers in police custody. This year, this song was remembered once again as an important message to everyone stating that African Americans want to live freely, without any sort of racial discrimination. Additionally, the repetition of ‘Freedom’ as well as the enthusiastic tone in which Beyoncé sings ‘Freedom’ presents her feelings and devotion to fight for freedom. Throughout the song, Beyoncé continues to sing in an enthusiastic but angry tone, and when Kendrick sings his part, he uses an angry tone to portray the African Americans are fed up by the racial discrimination present in the United States.

This song is extremely impactful because she addresses the global issue of racial discrimination and although this is regarding the racial discrimination against African American people, her message can be influential in all societies that experience racial discrimination. I cannot personally relate to these African Americans as I was born in a privileged family, however, I have been discriminated before and I believe that many have experienced the same due to cultural differences in which many are unable to understand the cultural complexities of each race. Moreover, this song has been exceptionally influential this year because of the George Floyd case which made her song more powerful towards a larger and international audience.