No, Amy Schumer’s ‘Formation’ parody isn’t racist, it’s insensitive

Amy Schumer has done the unthinkable: She released a parody video of Beyoncé’s “Formation” on her YouTube account (and Tidal!) featuring Goldie Hawn and a host of other famous faces. The video, which showcases Amy’s lack of twerking skills, is a convoluted mess full of stuffed animals, goats and dirt. And it definitely wasn’t well-received.

https://twitter.com/FeministaJones/status/790336463720288256
The hashtag #AmySchumerGottaGoParty was started by Feminista Jones, who, like a lot of other black feminists, isn’t a fan of Schumer’s antics. To start, “Formation” is a pro-black anthem with lyrics like: “My daddy Alabama, momma Louisiana, you mix the negro with that creole make a Texas bama.” It’s where Beyoncé asserts and celebrates her blackness. And with this parody, Schumer is essentially mocking a song that has become a pro-black anthem. I mean, “I like my baby hair with baby hair and afros, I like my nose with Jackson Five nostrils,” says it all.

But let me backtrack a bit. Schumer has long been critiqued for being a white feminist, a term used to describe feminism that doesn’t consider race as a factor in the struggle for equality. It’s basically a feminist that isn’t intersectional. As Amy attempts to twerk and dance in her parody, it seems as if she’s making fun of black women. The original “Formation” video was a celebration of black sisterhood. Black women could be seen everywhere slaying effortlessly while Beyoncé got them (and us) in formation. So, it’s annoying to see a white woman with a prominent following and social influence make a mockery of blackness. And a quick scroll through #AmySchumerGottaGoParty shows many were not afraid to make it clear Schumer was in the wrong.

https://twitter.com/Reena_Rai/status/790566635769827328

Just for good measure can we include Lena Dunham and Sarah Silverman too? #AmySchumerGottaGoPartypic.twitter.com/ciuUSARcX8

— Noellesly 🇵🇸🍉🇵🇸🍉🇵🇸 (@msnoellesly) October 24, 2016

https://twitter.com/Kalu_Mobo/status/790522523406434304
Black Twitter didn’t hold back any punches. It’s hard to imagine what Amy Schumer was thinking messing with anything Queen Bey-related. But until Amy actually makes the attempt to understand why people are upset by her parody (and her other comments), the beef between her and Black Twitter will never end.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.