It’s Black History Month and I wanted to dedicate posts to black people of the past, who made a difference in American lives: Frederick Douglass, Daniel Hale Williams, Dorothy Dandridge, Sojourner Truth, etc. However, the backlash Beyonce received for her Super Bowl performance has rubbed me in a way that I must speak on it.
I’ve been reluctant to write post about #blacklivesmatters only because people believe what they want to believe regardless of the truth.
I’ve been reluctant to write post about #blacklivesmatters only because people believe what they want to believe regardless of the truth. And, if we are honest, anytime a black person attempts to defend themselves, somehow, people who do not understand and/or refuse to understand are offended. I live in a country where my skin speaks for me as soon as I walk in a room. And therefore, I left to subconsciously prove that I am not the negative picture America portrays black people to be. You know, an uneducated black single mom cheating the system of welfare. I’m hesitant to use that example due to the harsh criticism black females receive when they are a single mom on welfare, as if they are the only ethnicity who fits this description, which they are not, by the way.
To digress, Beyoncé’s performance at the Super Bowl Halftime show was entertaining. I am proud of her for using her voice and speaking out about what’s going on in the Black community. As always, someone misinterpreted the message.
Her performance and the video Formation were meant to pay homage to the struggles Blacks have endured for years. It was, in all, a tribute to Black History Month and the present state of the Black community.
For one, her performance and the video Formation were meant to pay homage to the struggles Blacks have endured for years. It was, in all, a tribute to Black History Month and the present state of the Black community. How was it twisted into an anti-police statement? I was actually surprised when I heard that; go figure, since nothing should be of surprise these days.
you missed the message if you believe this was police slander.
Yet, you missed the message if you believe this was police slander. Yes, she has a police car sinking in the water; have you already forgotten about Hurricane Katrina?
Yes, Mayor Rudy Giuliani politics and race should not be mixed with American football, but is only acceptable if you are degrading Cam Newton, the Carolina Panther’s Quarterback for nothing other than…being black. That was sarcasm by the way.
Yes, Mayor Rudy Giuliani politics and race should not be mixed with American football, but is only acceptable if you are degrading Cam Newton, the Carolina Panther’s Quarterback for nothing other than…being black. That was sarcasm by the way.
There is a group of white people, not all of course, but there is a group.( By the way, I’m using the term white people purposely to invoke discomfort) I believe this group doesn’t have many black friends
I’ve noticed there is a group of white people, not all of course, but there is a group. (By the way, I’m using the term white people purposely to invoke discomfort). I believe this group doesn’t have many black friends. I’m sorry the token black friend or that one black coworker that you talk to at work every day doesn’t count. I’m talking about a black friend that you know on a deeper, personal level. You know each other’s extended family, you go to each other’s family outings, you have nicknames for one another, and you’ve had heart to heart conversations to know them beyond the outside shell. I believe it is this group of people with no black friends, who are offended when a production is put on with an all-black cast (The Wiz Live). They cry reverse racism because for one night on primetime television white people weren’t included. Never mind all the countless times it is an all-white ensemble cast, because that is always acceptable. Just like the all-white Oscars nominees because it is both okay and common that no other ethnicity was talented enough. We’ve grown accustomed to it, so why question it, right?
These are the people who shout ALL LIVES MATTER missing the key message that #blacklivesmatter is merely proclaiming that we matter too.
These are the people who shout ALL LIVES MATTER missing the key message that #blacklivesmatter is merely proclaiming that we matter too. However, once again the message is ignorantly twisted to the belief of Black superiority. These are the people who get offended when Black History is mentioned; they shout, “get over it, that’s a thing of the past” or that we’re only perpetuating racism by mentioning the racist acts. Oh, the one that I hear the most is that racism ended years ago and the things happening today are just coincidences. All these black men being killed by the police are coincidences? Never mind that when a young black man commits a crime he is thug, but when a young white man of the same age commits a crime, he has a broken home or some type of mental instability.
The fact of the matter is the only thing wrong with blacks speaking openly about racism is that with new advancements in video recordings, you can no longer deny it is happening. So now, you must justify it with “he was a thug, or she shouldn’t have been mouthing off, as if words should be punishable by death.
The real truth: you want blacks to stop mentioning racism because it makes YOU uncomfortable.
The real truth: you want blacks to stop mentioning racism because it makes YOU uncomfortable. You detested Beyonce’s video because it made YOU uncomfortable. You had an issue with her performance paying homage to black struggles because it made YOU uncomfortable. And, that my friend is white superiority; to believe, anything that makes YOU uncomfortable must change. Never mind that other ethnicities have been uncomfortable for years.
Beyonce’s performance is being deemed inappropriate and an attack on the police, because a group of people missed the message; the group that always misses the true message. Not because they cannot possibly fathom it, but because they do not nor desire to understand anything that has nothing to do with them.
So, what’s your take on the Beyoncé’s half time performance? Do you agree that it was taken out of context? Do you side with the mayor that it was inappropriate?
Living in the moment,
–Ebby ♥
CONTACTS
EMAIL: Ebbyslane@gmail.com
FACEBOOK : Ebby Lane
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I apologize for the typo’s…
Ebby,
You’ve put your foot in this and hit the nail on the head. Racism is an ugly spirit, one that has plaque this country since its inception. Sadly, the guile of this spirit allows it to manipulate those who are impacted the most by it – the beneficiaries.
Like anything… If you’ve never endured – if you’ve never traversed the valley – if you’ve never been through it… It isn’t real.
And – that is the biggest crime of all. It pains me to know that people choose to ensconce themselves in the bliss of ignorance versus meeting people where they are – versus where they would like them to be.
I touched on this in a piece I wrote earlier this month when someone called the police on my 2 colleagues and I for talking outside of a business venue – it was reported that we were cornering a “Latina” woman. Despite the fact the we 3 were clad in business attire – that professional ambiance did not remove the threat.
Thank you for posting this and putting this out into the Universe – your narratives are powerful!
Thank you! It’s sad that we are still dealing with racism and equality these days and it all stems from lack of awarness and knowledge of diverse culture. I partly blane the school system for not having more diversity in the curriculum. It is sad that because of your skin color, it is automatically assumed you are doing something illegal, even while dressed in business attire! That is absurd! Thank you so much for reading and sharing your thoughts.
👍
Thank you!
I find it oh, so hilarious that the only people who say anything derogatory about Beyonce Knowles, or of successful people of colour in general, are those who themselves take home $500K or more, or are just plain jealous of the attention she commands. The latter group have immaturity as an excuse. The former, are just plain devious. The rest of us are tired of racism and mind control by the Established Order. I wish Malcolm were still around, really.
It truly is comical how no matter what she does, someone has a problem with it. You are right about how people will find something when it comes to the success of people of color. I feel the same way about President Obama. I don’t agree with all his views, but people literally hate him just because he is black. I’m with you, I’m tired of racism too. You would think in this day age it would be a thing of the past. I can only pray that my son and future children will have better than this. Thank you for reading and commenting : )
I love the candour with which you addressed the issues..
Your right the only reason the talk about racism is swept under the rug is because it makes people uncomfortable..
And I digress because I have nothing useful to add…
#PreachSisterGirl
#FixItJesus
Hahhaha! Thank you! Yes, I think racism boils down to people being uncomfortable with what they do not know or understand. Thank you for reading and commenting : )
I didn’t watch the performance so I cannot comment on that. I do however believe all lives matter. I would like to respond to your statement, “I live in a country where my skin speaks for me as soon as I walk in a room. And therefore, I must subconsciously prove that I am not the negative picture America portrays black people to be.” I do not share the same color of your skin, but I can totally relate to this statement because I am a Christian and subconsciously feel like I must proved I am not the negative picture many non-Christians believe Christian people to be. I understand what you say here because I while the issues are not the same – fighting stigma is. I also want to say that I am America and I do not believe all people of any color are the same. We should start seeing people for who they are separate of any group they may belong to. Here in your statement you used “America” to classify all Americans as looking negatively at your color. I am sure this was a typographical oversight, because you yourself are American as are your black brothers and sisters. I believe we all fight a battle of oppression of some sort, and we long to rise above it.
I can see where you are coming from. I am a Christian as well. When I said American, I was generalizing, but I didn’t mean all Americans. I do, believe we all fight a battle of oppression of some sort too. In addition, I think shouldn’t be frowned upon when you speak out on that oppression and demand change, which is what happened with Beyonce. Thank you so much for reading and commenting : )
Nor do I. That is part of what makes America great – freedom of speech; however, sometimes Americans are selective in what speech they desire to hear, which I suppose it their right too. We are all a big melting pot of differences. I will be happy to be in heaven one day where those differences are appreciated and respected. 🙂 God Bless!
Her performance was very appropriate. She has the right to voice her opinion just like everyone else. She just happens to be one of the biggest artist of this generation and was heard fortunate enough to be heard by all. They miss the fact that at the end of the performance, everyone came together, Black, White, Latino, etc. …promoting love! That was totally dismissed. Love your outlook on this. This was nothing but facts!
I agree with everything you said! I like how you mentioned the end when the performance was promoting love. Thank you for reading and commenting! : )
No. I loved it. It was not inappropriate. You’re right. There’s that group of willfully ignorant people who are always sitting around looking for “Gotcha!” moments by PoC. Sometimes making up these moments out of nothing. It makes them feel good about themselves.
Is it a victim mentality they’re always accusing us of? I don’t know, but it’s telling that this only seems to happen in response to black people existing in public spaces, and no other group, though.
People fear and misunderstand what they do not know. I think, that’s the problem with the U.S. is that we don’t do enough of learning about other cultures. I think, if that group took the time to learn about Black culture they wouldn’t be so offended by it, if that makes sense. Thank you for reading and your comment. : )