Reactions to Morgan Parker’s There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyonce

I’ve read this book of poems once before in a multicultural American lit class at Berkeley City College. The title annoyed me and intrigued me. I immediately thought it would be a book of Beyonce slander, which I wasn’t down for. I, like majority of the young women I know, hold Beyonce in a special place in my heart. Thankfully I was wrong about the content. I enjoyed the poems then and wanted to order the book for myself but hadn’t yet gotten around to it. When I saw that it was assigned for this class I was excited.

Honestly, some of the poems are over my head. I can not quite grasp all of the intended messages. I’m sure with re reading and sitting with each poem it will become more clear the points Parker conveys. Some are easier to read than others. Some of my favorites are “13 Ways of Looking at a Black Girl”, “The President’s Wife”, “What Beyonce Wont Say On A Shrink’s Couch”, “Heaven Be A Xanax”, “99 Problems”, and “The Things More Beautiful Than Beyonce”.

I like how Parker makes her poems flow. She’s telling stories with heavy themes that are simultaneously sad and beautiful. Themes I noticed are gender roles, being Black in America, being a Black woman in America, suppression, duality, love, sadness, and culture. I like how Parker uses references to music.

I’m Starvin’ Like Marvin Gaye.

I’m so hungry I could get it on.

There’s far too many of me dying. (1)

What reads lightly is weighed down by the impact of the content matter. In this same poem, “All They Want Is My Money My Pussy My Blood”, she says:

I am free with the following conditions.

Give it up gimme gimme. (1)

To me, Parker is making the point that our “freedom” is in direct correlation to what we can give to those who “granted” us our freedom and who hold power today. Too often, it is sex that is desired, like she points out in “13 Ways of Looking at a Black Girl”. We are overly sexualized as Black women to the point that it began to be apart of our identities. In “What Beyonce Wont Say On A Shrink’s Couch” she writes:

what if I said I’m tired

and they heard wrong

said sing it (49)

They love Beyonce because she is Beyonce. She has made herself an icon as an entertainer, one of the oldest roles for Black people in America. You are appealing as a service to them. Your humanity doesn’t really matter. They love you as long as you perform to their liking. On a large scale, like in Beyonce’s case, but also in life in general. Black people who don’t appeal to white people are treated as such and it is a full time job to appeal to people who don’t care about you or recognize you as a person. Parker brings up the possibility of them hearing wrong, but I don’t think they hear wrong. I think they hear what they want to hear.

Other lines I enjoyed are:

• I am a tree and some fruits are good and some are bad (4) - this speaks to the duality we all face as humans. A shadow and a light side that blend beautifully to produce all that we are.

• When he opens his mouth

a chameleon is inside, starving (5) - again Parker is speaking to the duality present in people. In this example she is talking about president Obama and his lack of usage of Black. Many times people veil themselves in an effort to appeal to others. She touches on suppression and the effects on self and others.

• I continue to respect

unwritten codes.

The world would crumble

without my unwavering

sacrifice (19)

• I need to know

what it feels like to be softened (20)

• Everything crazy is the best (21)

• I am hungry for myself (29)

• have I been

here before have I

been me before &

turned my

back to myself. (35)

• When people say how are you

I say good

It is a rule no one can answer

And I will kneel to pray

And I will address the prayer to myself

And I will be allowed (57)