Turning 36 looks really good on Beyoncé, like almost anything. How do you celebrate the birthday of the stellar artist and activist in a year that already gave her the biggest gift any mom can have-- the birth of twins, Sir and Rumi, whose names are already trademarked, just like big sister’s Blue Ivy.
The birthday falling on the national holiday of Labor Day still let Beyoncé's hubby, Jay-Z, have plenty of pull to enlist an all-star lineup of celebrity well-wishers and friends. They didn't just sing the usual “Happy Birthday,” they rolled out their own tributes to the singer’s “Formation.” Even in the midst of her festivities, Beyoncé's outreach to the hard-hit people in her hometown of Houston and others in the Gulf Coast is hopefully getting a birthday boost in its namesake’s honor.
Bring on the big names
A full introduction of “Happy birthday, Beyoncé/ From your family and friends” accompanied the message posted to the megastar mom’s website. Besides family, including her own mom, Tina Knowles Lawson, and her mother-in-law, Gloria Carter, Halle Bailey, Hattie White, Serena Williams, and Michelle Obama all joined the portrait gallery in off the shoulder black dresses, and “statement” jewelry around the neck, as in the original “Formation.” video.
Class and celebration of female strength are the themes that bolster both the birthday tribute and the honored video, but citizens in some cross-sections of the country took objection to Mrs. Carter's dance steps and attire in the Super Bowl 50 “Formation” performance as elevating the counterculture and radical change agents, the Black Panthers.
While the socio-political group’s manner and methods frightened some in the late 60s to the 80s, they were also the organizers who offered the first free breakfast program in schools, long before there was any USDA or federal funding. Founding member, Bobby Seale has commented that if modern cell phones had existed in his era, there would be no need for any of the members to carry weapons.
Together, building again
Destiny's Child members, Michelle Williams, and Kelly Rowland also were in the stunning collection in black and white. Daughter, Blue Ivy, also put on her version of her mama’s big hat and necklace, and now, many daughters and sons in Houston are returning to blue skies but mammoth work in restoring homes.
Entire blocks have become salvage yards, filled with debris of furniture, toys, wood, carpet, and memories that constructed beloved homes.
Houston Mayor, Sylvester Turner, is arguably the busiest man in the nation at the moment, rallying his city to resume life and business while simultaneously mounting the most massive cleanup in the history of natural disasters in the US. His initial request is $75 million just to begin, as local authorities determine livability of homes, and find alternate housing.
Right below the birthday words on Beyoncé's site is a request to “join us in supporting Houston relief” with the hash tag #BeyGOOD. The initiative is a combined “roots” partnership with the non-profit, Bread of Life under the leadership of Pastor, Rudy Rasmus, the Greater Houston Community Foundation, and Texas Southern University.
BeyGOOD is keeping the focus on “long-term revitalization” and “immediate needs in relief.” It sounds like Beyoncé may have just the kind of outreach that her city needs most. Hopefully, birthday candles can be transformed into cash and local caring hearts coming together.
