In a world where our newsfeeds are regularly inundated with viral photos, videos, and accounts of African-American males' deaths, it's nice to know that there is still a reason to smile. I didn't give a lot of thought to the MTV VMA's at all this past August. I don't even know anyone that still watches music videos and I don't think I've watched the entire program since the three-way kiss between Britney, Madonna, and Christina (formerly known as Xtina by 90s babies). I began to scroll through Twitter late that evening and kept seeing mentions of Chance the Rapper in relation to Beyoncé. Needless to say, I was very confused.
The moment Twitter went crazy over is one that is certainly hashtag-worthy. Queen B, in all of her Yoncé glory, sneaks up right behind Chance during the middle of an interview and places her head neatly on Chance's shoulder. When he realizes it was the woman that coined the term "bootylicious," magical things happen:
Chance's reaction is all of us if Beyoncé were to ever grace our shoulder with her head. Pure joy and elation are the only things to describe Chance's face. I love it when celebrities fangirl/stan for other celebrities (i.e. Jennifer Lawrence and any other celebrity) but it's another thing to actually see it. Chance's reaction is so genuine and I can't remember the last time I watched a video of a Black man and smiled. The last few years there have been so many different hashtags related to African-American men, but very few have been positive. Almost all have been related to death. Discovering a hashtag/trending topic that speaks purely to Black joy is not only necessary but overwhelmingly purposeful in putting positive Black imagery out to the world.
I need this gif to be the background on my phone, or at least a still shot. I want to send this to everyone I know because I want them to be this happy if only for a few seconds. Even the way he dips down in his reaction to Beyoncé is completely adorable. I think I'm going to do this the next time my mom hugs me or touches my shoulder just to show my appreciation and show her how happy she makes me.
#BlackBoyJoy (and the subsequent hastings of #BlackBoyMagic and #BlackBoysBreakTheInternet) looks to change up the type of imagery that is on the internet for young people of color to see. C'mon, can you honestly look at Chance's reaction and not smile? Type some of these hashtags into various social media platforms and you will be amazed at all of the smiling, achieving, and brave Black and Brown faces. Even months after the award show, the message still stands. #BlackBoyJoy is here and I really hope it's here to stay.
