It seems Beyonce’s video for “Formation” and her part in last weekend’s Super Bowl 50 Halftime show is causing quite a stir…
Ever since her video dropped on Saturday (Feb. 6) ahead of the Super Bowl performance, the internet has been in complete mayhem with excitement. Her “pro-black trap” song declares that she “slays” as she expresses love for her culture and herself, also referencing her support with #BlackLivesMatter.
She performed the song with a squad of background dancers dressed in attire reminiscent of the Black Panthers of the 60s and 70s, an organization that offered community social programs, health clinics, and after school programs, but were demonized in the mainstream media, being called a hate group comparable to the violent KKK. Soon after, she announced a “Formation” Stadium tour this summer, and tickets go on sale next week (and will surely sell out shortly after!)
But some people aren’t as excited about Bey’s return after over a year of laying low. A group is planning an “Anti-Beyoncé Protest Rally” at the NFL headquarters in NYC to protest what they call a “race-baiting stunt” at the Super Bowl.
According to the posting on Eventbrite, the rally is scheduled for Feb. 16 with this caption:
“Are you offended as an American that Beyoncé pulled her race-baiting stunt at the Super Bowl? Do you agree that it was a slap in the face to law enforcement? Do you agree that the Black Panthers was/is a hate group which should not be glorified? Come and let’s stand together. Let’s tell the NFL we don’t want hate speech & racism at the Super Bowl ever again!”
Former Republican NYC mayor Rudy Giuliani has been very vocal about his disdain, calling her performance “outrageous” and “anti-police.” “This is football, not Hollywood, and I thought it was really outrageous that she used it as a platform to attack police officers who are the people who protect her and protect us, and keep us alive,” he said on Fox & Friends yesterday morning (Feb. 9).
The irony there is that the police seem to disproportionately kill and jail black and brown people for minor offenses. And last time I checked, Beyonce identifies as black and/or brown. But instead of choosing to protest the original injustice, people are protesting the protestors? Oh, ok.
Sound off on your thoughts below, Roomies.
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