Thank you Beyoncé for starting the conversation with your performance and representing a very important period in our country.
These last few years young, black men have been killed for no reason. Beyoncé’s performance might not be the right form of expression but if you know your history you would at least know she was attempting to re-create the “formation” created by the Black Panthers when they marched and protested for civil rights. Whether you agree with their methods or philosophy Black Panthers are a part of American history.
In October of 1966, in Oakland California, Huey Newton and Bobby Seale founded the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense. The Panthers practiced militant, self-defense of minority communities against the U.S. government, and fought to establish revolutionary socialism.
The party’s original purpose was to patrol African American neighborhoods to protect residents from acts of police brutality. The Panthers eventually developed into a Marxist revolutionary group that called for the arming of all African Americans, the exemption of African Americans from the draft, and from all sanctions of so-called white America, the release of all African Americans from jail, and the payment of compensation to African Americans for centuries of exploitation by white Americans. At its peak in the late 1960s, Panther membership exceeded 2,000, and the organization operated chapters in several major American cities. (Britannica)
It’s sad when an artist, especially one of her status cannot express herself through her music and her performances; using her massive platform for the common good. From all the Facebook posts and comments I read last night it is proof that we need “Black History” taught in school. At her level, being too political could potentially backfire because her super star status places her above the state of the world. We cannot deny that black men and women are being chased or killed because of the color of their skin. Why can’t or why shouldn’t a performer at her level and status who is black and married to a black man who grew up in the Marcy Projects of Brooklyn, have a political voice?
My mother grew in the Marcy Projects and I know what the struggles growing up in that environment can do. And, yes, Beyoncé grew up in Houston and had a very comfortable up-bring. However, I don’t think she is that removed from the state of the world. And as a black artist I hope she feels the pain when we lose another youth because of the color of his skin.
If you haven’t seen the video to Formation, there are so many undertones. If you don’t pay close attention, you may miss the fact that the only white people in the video are the police. It all comes together when she is laying on the top of the cop car and it begins to descend underwater. I believe it’s a subliminal message that we’re drowning out here, especially black men and it will continue unless we start doing something about it.
Music is an art form and often used to spread hope when it’s most needed. From Mavin Gaye’s, What’s Happening Brother to Gil Scott Heron’s, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, they expressed through their music the present condition of the world.
Some times super pop artists like Beyoncé are viewed as not caring or tuned into the world. However, that’s not entirely true. She would have never reached her status without listening. Janet Jackson before making her come back tweeted, “Let’s Keep the Conversation Going.” Another way to say we have to stop simply watching things around us happen. We have to start talking about it. Let’s also not forget Bruno Mars because he also paid homage to the hip-hop community during his performance through his attire and dancing. His group was wearing what L.L Cool J used to wear in the 1980’s.
Celebrities are not necessarily political activists and I don’t know that they can change the world. However, I do believe they can start the conversation and last night Beyoncé definitely ignited a conversation. It’s up to us now to keep the conversation going just like Janet said.
KNOW YOUR HISTORY: HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH!
