Mark Anthony Neal on #Lemonade: The Salon Interview

Salon's Scott Timberg speaks to African American Studies scholar Mark Anthony Neal about #Lemonade, R&B, celebrity, and Bey's take on masculinity.

When we see the scene in the forgiveness portion of the film, which is “Sandcastles” on the album, I can’t remember ever seeing such a tender portrayal of black masculinity – especially by someone of the hip-hop generation — than we see at that moment. Because we know who it is, but someone who makes his living with his mouth is rendered silent. And we have to read through that scene with his gestures. We see in his gestures someone who is loving, who is sorry, who is looking for redemption. It’s just a powerful scene.

She’s doing a range of things here. When the [infidelity] rumors started to circulate two years ago, what I always found amazing is that periodically she would flash photos of her with Jay and Blue. It was almost as if [she were saying], “Even if he’s a bad husband, a bad partner, he’s a good father, and I’m not going to let the court of public opinion disparage the man who is, when all is said and done, the father of my daughter.”

Read the Full Interview at Salon