There’s a lot of “thoughts” (read: memes) going around throwing their 2 cents in on Beyonce’s halftime performance and her new single, Formation.
The controversy actually centers around two separate events: the video for Formation and the halftime show itself.
The video is an expression of black pride. It’s Beyonce’s explanation of her heritage and how that affects how she walks through life (or dances or slays or sings or reigns). It’s also a call for black women to “get in formation,” to be themselves and to own that identity in a culture that typically doesn’t leave space for black people, let alone women. It’s also noteworthy that there is a controversial shot of white police putting their hands up in a nod to the #blacklivesmatter movement and “hands up, don’t shoot.” This comes just before a wide shot of graffiti reading, “stop killing us.”
The halftime show was similarly politically loaded. The show began with an all black female dance ensemble that were dressed in costumes that were a pretty obvious nod to the Black Panther Party of Self Defense. A piece of choreography also had the ensemble throw their fists up in the air in another nod to the Black Panther movement.
And the internet is up in arms. The right has some things to say, the left has some things to say. Black Americans have some things to say, White Americans have some things to say. Americans and the rest of the world have some things to say.
And because of facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and reddit, most people are talking with bumper sticker slogans and memes. I’m not mad about it. This is how conversations start. And one thing everyone can agree on is Beyonce was right, “you know you that b***h when you cause all this conversation.”
Here’s what BOTH SIDES are reblogging:
It's a sad day when Lady GaGa has more class than Beyoncé. #BoycottBeyonce
Posted by Boycott Beyoncé on Monday, February 8, 2016
Source: Boycott Beyonce (Facebook)
Hmmm… Is that right? #UnapologeticallyBlack
Posted by Unapologetically Black on Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Source: Unapologetically Black (Facebook)
#BoycottBeyonce
Posted by Boycott Beyoncé on Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Source: Boycott Beyonce (Facebook)
Goodnight
Posted by Nicholas Bernard on Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Source: Twitter
Make this go viral! #BoycottBeyonce
Posted by Boycott Beyoncé on Monday, February 8, 2016
Source: Fox News
My exact words after the video "Don't miss the message" @Beyonce #Formation #BlackHistoryMonth
Ladies, Power Up. pic.twitter.com/i7dJOkBHAZ— Dara Jendayi (@Jendayi_Dara) February 7, 2016
Source: Twitter
Posted by Nikolai William Vaughn on Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Source: Facebook
And then there’s this super relevant and important point:
A photo posted by Eddie Williams (@imeddiewilliams) on
Source: Instagram
So where does everyone fall? Drop us a comment. We want to hear your voice.