Maddie’s monthly music & movies: February

Maddie Hughes ‘ 16:

Music: In the winter months, as we sit snuggly wrapped in our blankets or we brave the cold to shovel heaps of snow, there remains one way to electrify the dreariness of constant cold: music. Music has already made history in 2016, marked by a historic release by late rock legend David Bowie and then Rihanna’s Anti album, which was certified RIAA Platinum in just two days. However, my favorite release of the year so far comes from none other than Beyoncé. In the spirit of her massive performance at the 50th Super Bowl, Beyoncé released a powerful new single, “Formation”. Set to a heavy, ingenious R&B beat, Beyoncé proves why she is one of the most powerful singers in the world. In “Formation,” she addresses important issues regarding race and encourages people unrepresented by mainstream media to find love for themselves. Time and time again, Beyoncé shows that she refuses to ignore the importance of social problems and is not afraid to make commentary on society. Though “Formation” is only a single, it is an indicator of what is to come from Beyoncé this year, and I for one, couldn’t be more excited that this is only the start of 2016.

Movies: As an amateur movie reviewer, I usually aim to critique movies that are action-packed and dramatic; otherwise, I look for those quiet, unassumingly stunning movies that could appeal to almost everyone. However, sometimes, I come across a movie that’s so important that even though it is not my typical taste, I need to talk about it. About a month ago, I came across such a movie: a documentary called Girl Rising.

Girl Rising addresses the blatant inequality that can be found all over the world: the gap between boys and girls in their education. Young, uneducated women’s lives are made worse by the fact that culturally and economically, they cannot achieve an education. Lack of education leads to the continuous cycle of poverty, an almost inescapable prison. In Girl Rising, journalists follow the stories of young girls desperate to seek knowledge in a world that is working against them constantly.

Though these voices come from afar—and often, carry with them fake names due to the danger of sharing their fearless opinions in countries that do not allow education for women—they are relevant even in a country like America, which many would consider the greatest world power. Inequities in education are prevalent just thirty minutes away in the heart of Philadelphia. Though these voices come from Haiti, Afghanistan, and Ethiopia, and among others, their struggles are ones that can be understood locally in America by students who are left behind by the gaps in our education system.

As someone who is passionate about fixing education inequalities in our world, I am a bit biased in my liking of Girl Rising. Still, as a documentary its use of art makes it captivating to even the most doubtful viewer. Additionally, it lets the girls speak for themselves. There are no gimmicks—no experts coming in, claiming they know exactly how to help these “third world” countries. The girls are left to their own devices, and they do an amazing job of bringing their worlds to our attention. After watching this film, you’ll not only want to make a difference; you’ll feel the need to make a difference.