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Beyoncé is Making Her Voice Count

By: Talia Scott

Queen Bey is at again. This time around she is gracefully covering Vogue’s September issue.

Beyoncé’s September 2018 cover of Vogue. Tyler Mitchell/Vogue

 

Beyoncé’s latest Vogue cover marked a historic moment in the magazine’s history. The cover photographer, Tyler Mitchell, is the first African American to shoot a cover for the magazine in its 126-year history. At 23-years-old, Mitchell has become one of the youngest photographers to shoot a cover for the magazine. In the accompanying article, Beyoncé tells writer Clover Hope,

On one cover (above), the star makes a statement about her blackness as she wears a dress with Pan-African colors. Such a statement is powerful given the publication’s position and history in an industry with long-standing issues with representation, diversity, and inclusion.

In this issue, Vogue published an extraordinarily personal and touching first-person piece from Beyoncé’s perspective. Beyoncé talks about race, racism, motherhood, body positivity and her legacy, all so honestly and unapologetically. “Right now, my little FUPA and I feel like we are meant to be,” she says.

 

Through her words, we hear her truths, in an unprecedented manner without editorial constraints.  Vogue’s editor in chief, Anna Wintour, reportedly granted Beyoncé full editorial control over her cover of Vogue -- something Wintour had never done before. Beyoncé’s power and influence over this cover spark more questions about the future of Vogue. Will Vogue use this issue to continue to promote cultural change and will Vogue work to be more inclusive of talented young black photographers and other creatives?