Comedian Amy Schumer accused of racism over Beyonce parody

Comedian Amy Schumer has been accused of racism over her parody of Beyonce’s Formation music video. The video, released on Tidal, shows Schumer and actress Goldie Hawn dancing in a jungle to Beyonce’s song while mimicking the Lemonade singer’s choreography. A social media backlash followed, with Twitter users criticising the 35-year old comedian for mocking a video with “cultural significance for black women”. “Amy Schumer made a parody of Formation, a song about female black empowerment, with a bunch of other white women,” one user wrote, “what a mess”.

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The backlash prompted a response from Schumer herself on Monday. In her irreverent style, the stand-up artist posted a video on her Instagram page again dancing to Beyonce’s song.

The backlash prompted a response from Schumer herself on Monday. In her irreverent style, the stand-up artist posted a video on her Instagram page again dancing to Beyonce’s song. It is the second time this month the comedian has become embroiled in controversy. Last week, around 200 people walked out of Schumer’s Florida show after she called Republican nominee Donald Trump a “sexual-assaulting monster”. She later added: “Of course, we’re in Florida, you’re going to boo”. Schumer and Hawn’s Formation parody was filmed in Hawaii, where the pair are shooting her new comedy Mother/Daughter. It marks Hawn’s return to the big screen after a 15-year hiatus. Beyonce’s Formation video is part of her Lemonade visual album, and includes references to the Black Lives Matter movement.

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