Only a little over a week after Beyonce’s controversial Super Bowl performance and Kendrick Lamar is following up with his own PSA. Many may deem these performances to be “racist” and “offensive”, but are they really?
If we didn’t know Beyonce was black and proud, we definitely knew it after her Super Bowl 50 performance. When the queen herself walked out onto the Levi’s Stadium field with her posse of beautiful, black, backup dancers dressed as members of the Black Panther Party, America was in for quite a message. The song itself is an ode to her negro and creole roots and all the struggles that come along with it. The performance however only amplified that message when she’d chose to incorporate a commemoration to the Black Panther Party and Malcolm X.
Just when some of the smoke from Beyonce’s performance died down, Kendrick reignited that very sensitive spark. Kendrick performed at this year’s Grammy’s and walked onto the stage in shackles and handcuffs leaving a plethora of people stunned and confused. Stunned were the ones who knew where this performance was going and could not believe he’d done something so bold. Confused were the ones who did not know what was going on, what the purpose was, and why he would do such a thing on such a large platform. The bold and blunt lyrics of Kendrick’s songs “Blacker The Berry” and “Alright” were already enough to ruffle feathers, but to include such components of African dancing, the map of Africa with the word Compton, and the bruised eye were all symbolic details that made his performance that much more impactful.
Although the fight for civil rights is not as intense as it may have been over 50 years ago, there is still very much so a fight everyday for the Black community. When we are able to turn on the television or log onto Twitter and see a new victim and hashtag, someone has to say something. Kudos to Beyonce and Kendrick for using their vast platforms to broadcast our struggles to those who try to silence us. Kudos to Beyonce and Kendrick for being woke and choosing to no longer rest while the fight outside of Black Hollywood ensues. Kudos to Beyonce and Kendrick for making people uncomfortable in order for our voices to be heard.