One thing (we are kidding, it's not just one thing) aside from performing, Beyoncé knows how to do to get people talking. On Feb. 6, Beyoncé dropped a new single and music video titled "Formation." Then the next day during the Super Bowl halftime, she performed the song. The halftime performance started to garner some controversy, especially from the conservative side. For example, Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of NYC, called her performance anti-police. Many other conservative voices echoed that sentiment while also claiming she's anti-white or playing the victim (which makes no sense since historical, institutional racism makes black people the victims).
Her performance was unapologetically black with an ensemble of all black back-up dancers dressed in a way that parallels the Black Panthers. Beyoncé's outfit itself could be seen the same but also many thought it was paying homage to Michael Jackson's 1993 Superbowl halftime performance. The designers of the outfit stated that it wasn't just paying respect to another great performer, but just a happy coincidence between military inspired looks. However, it was the similarity between the backup dancers to Black Panthers which started the accusations of anti-police and anti-white.
Reading a lot of these cries of anti-white and anti-police over Beyoncé's Super Bowl performance made me realize how many people don't really know the Black Panthers. All they know is this overly violent and militant image they've chosen to reflect the Black Panthers as. While yes, some members were involved in violent incidents where cops were killed, let's not forgot who they really were and what they were trying to do. They are not the Klu Klux Klan (KKK). Do not compare a group that was trying to empower and fix the black community (as well as fighting for equality) to a hate terrorist group.
The Black Panther Party was formed in 1966 in California by Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton. It was the largest black revolutionary group in the United States. They formed during (and as a result of) an important time in black and American history, — the civil rights movement. Their original main goal was to protect blacks against police brutality, the KKK and other acts of violence during that time.
Unlike MLK, they were tired of and opposed the passive resistance method like Malcolm X. They exercised their Second Amendment right to bear arms and practiced self-defense by patrolling cops. The Black Panthers also worked towards helping and uplifting the black community by creating programs that provided health clinics, fed school children and assisted in education (among other things). Overall, after reading their Ten-Point Program, they just wanted social, economic and political equality.
Lastly, it's quite annoying that people think pro-black equates to anti-white. I don't understand why Beyoncé, as a black performer, can't have a say in a problem that involves her people. She is not only a performer, she is a human being with opinions and her music can be used as a form of activism. Additionally, how does being against police brutality mean being anti-police. We all are aware that there are good cops out there but there are a lot of bad and that needs to be addressed. It's stupid to say you're anti-police for calling out police brutality. That's implying police brutality is synonymous with police. Moreover, there is nothing in Beyoncé's video or lyrics that suggest she is anti-police or anti-white. People need to take the time to listen, learn and do some thorough research.
Here's a funny video "SNL" did, showcasing the ridiculousness of this controversy.
