Kamala Harris' first 2024 presidential campaign video makes a statement, and uses a Beyoncé song to help.
The video features Beyoncé's 2016 song "Freedom" to reinforce Harris' stance and values as the de facto Democratic nominee leading up to the presidential election.
"In this election, we each face a question: What kind of country do we want to live in?" Harris says in the ad. "There are some people who think we should be a country of chaos, of fear, of hate. But us? We choose something different. We choose freedom."
"The freedom not just to get by, but to get ahead. The freedom to be safe from gun violence. The freedom to make decisions about your own body. We choose a future where no child lives in poverty, where we can all afford healthcare, where no one is above the law," she continues. "We believe in the promise of America and we're ready to fight for it because when we fight, we win."
On Instagram, Beyoncé's mother, Tina Knowles, shared a photo and endorsed Harris, who is currently serving as President Joe Biden's Vice President.
"New, Youthful, Sharp , , energy !!!!" she wrote. "You asked for it and our President Biden did what was best for the country ! Putting personal Ego , power and fame aside. That is the definition of a great leader, . Thank you, President Biden for your service and your leadership . Go Vice President Kamala Harris for President. Let’s Go ❤️❤️❤️❤️ #kamala2024."
What is 'Freedom' by Beyoncé about?
The song, which features Kendrick Lamar, was originally on Beyoncé’s album “Lemonade," and has become a protest anthem since its release in 2016.
The lyrics are about freedom and liberation on both personal and societal scales.
"Freedom" could be read as someone seeking change in his or her life, which is in line with the broader arc of the album. "Lemonade" is often read as a journey through deception, infidelity, awakening and forgiveness in a romantic relationship.
Beyoncé sings, “Freedom! Freedom! I can’t move / Freedom, cut me loose! Yeah / Freedom! Freedom! Where are you? / ‘Cause I need freedom, too / I break chains all by myself / Won’t let my freedom rot in hell.”
In the outro, Beyoncé plays a recording of her husband Jay Z’s grandmother Hattie White talking about her hardships and how she overcame them.
“I had my ups and downs, but I always find the inner strength to pull myself up. I was served lemons, but I made lemonade,” she says in the recording.
The song's sentiment could just as easily be applied to American society at large.
Beyoncé has aligned "Freedom" with the civil rights movement and the history of slavery in the U.S., making it an inherently political tune.
The lyrics reference the 19th century spiritual “Wade in the Water” sung during the period of slavery.
Beyoncé sings, “I’ma wade, I’ma wave through the waters / Tell the tide, ‘Don’t move.’”
During a performance of “Freedom” at the 2016 BET Awards, Beyoncé introduced the song with a voice-over of Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech.
"Freedom" also seems to reference the Black Lives Matter movement when she sings, “I’ma riot, I’ma riot through your borders / Call me bulletproof.”
Beyonce paid tribute to the victims of police brutality with an a capella rendition of “Freedom” at a July 2016 concert in Glasgow, According to footage from concertgoers.
During a moment of silence, the “Formation” singer displayed a screen with the names of people who have been killed by police violence. After the moment was over, she performed “Freedom” to a cheering crowd.
Read the lyrics to 'Freedom'
Tryna rain, tryna rain on the thunder
Tell the storm I’m new
I’ma walk, I’ma march on the regular
Painting white flags blue
Lord, forgive me, I’ve been running
Running blind in truth
I’ma rain, I’ma rain on this bitter love
Tell the sweet I’m new
I’m telling these tears, “Go and fall away, fall away,” oh
May the last one burn into flames
Freedom! Freedom! I can’t move
Freedom, cut me loose! Yeah
Freedom! Freedom! Where are you?
‘Cause I need freedom, too!
I break chains all by myself
Won’t let my freedom rot in hell
Hey! I’ma keep running
‘Cause a winner don’t quit on themselves
I’ma wade, I’ma wave through the waters
Tell the tide, “Don’t move”
I’ma riot, I’ma riot through your borders
Call me bulletproof
Lord, forgive me, I’ve been runnin’
Runnin’ blind in truth
I’ma wade, I’ma wave through your shallow love
Tell the deep I’m new
I’m telling these tears, “Go and fall away, fall away,” oh
May the last one burn into flames
Freedom! Freedom! I can’t move
Freedom, cut me loose!
Freedom! Freedom! Where are you?
‘Cause I need freedom, too!
I break chains all by myself
Won’t let my freedom rot in hell
Hey! I’ma keep running
‘Cause a winner don’t quit on themselves
Ten Hail Marys, I meditate for practice
Channel 9 news tell me I’m movin’ backwards
Eight blocks left, death is around the corner
Seven misleadin’ statements ‘bout my persona
Six headlights wavin’ in my direction (Come on)
Five-O askin’ me what’s in my possession
Yeah, I keep runnin’, jump in the aqueducts
Fire hydrants and hazardous
Smoke alarms on the back of us
But mama, don’t cry for me, ride for me
Try for me, live for me
Breathe for me, sing for me
Honestly guidin’ me
I could be more than I gotta be
Stole from me, lied to me, nation hypocrisy
Code on me, drive on me
Wicked, my spirit inspired me, like yeah
Open correctional gates in higher desert (Yeah)
Open our mind as we cast away oppression (Yeah)
Open the streets and watch our beliefs
And when they carve my name inside the concrete
I pray it forever reads
Freedom! Freedom! I can’t move
Freedom, cut me loose!
Freedom! Freedom! Where are you?
‘Cause I need freedom, too!
I break chains all by myself
Won’t let my freedom rot in hell
Hey! I’ma keep running
‘Cause a winner don’t quit on themselves
What you want from me?
Is it truth you seek? Oh, father, can you hear me?
What you want from me?
Is it truth you seek? Oh, father, can you hear me?
Hear me out
Joyann Jeffrey
Joyann Jeffrey is a trending news reporter based in New York City
