Beyonce Sparks Race Row, Is A Sporting Venue The Proper Place To Deliver A Political Statement?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/6918225/Beyonce-sparks-race-row-after-controversial-Super-Bowl-half-time-show.html

/// THE half-time routine saw dancers in an X formation, an apparent tribute to activist Malcolm X. ///

/// He opposed Martin Luther King’s non-violent approach to US integration and wanted his followers to create their own nation, free of whites. ///

[bhg481]

No

[ichkeria]

I think you'll find the answer is:
"Yes" if it's one we sympathise with

"No" if it isn't :-)

[jackthehat]

America (in general) has to ask itself some hard questions about its attitude to 'race' and clumsy as it may seem to us, if the Superbowl sparks that process it will turn out to have been the proper place.

[mikey4444]

I have viewed the clip ( with the sound turned down a bit ! ) and it just looks like any other piece of pop music to me.

[jomifl]

/// He opposed Martin Luther King’s non-violent approach to US integration and wanted his followers to create their own nation, free of whites. ///

He disavowed his racist views when he left 'Nation of Islam'

[woofgang]

so every time dancers or bands or soldiers or anyone makes an “X’ formation as part of a routine, its a tribute to Malcolm X? Goodness he must be popular

[jomifl]

must avoid the X files and the Xfactor then...not a bad idea anyway.

[Booldawg]

Everytime someone holds their arm at a certain angle 'Nazi salute' usually gets shouted.

Don't see this any differently. Maybe just an unfortunate coincidence.

[Mamyalynne]

What a great gig, enjoyed that - music has oft been a talking point for wider issues, now is no different.

[andy-hughes]

Unfortunately, I am unable to view the clip, but seeing an 'x' formation my dancers as a 'tribute to Malcom X' is seeing things that are probably 9certainly?) not there.

How many Superbowl patrons are likely to have heard of Mr X, or what he believed?

And if punching the air is a 'black power' salute, these media types should trot on down to the Download rock and metal festival in June - every single band on the bill, and 99% of the audience will be doing it all day long!!

Beyoncé is so busy denying her heritage, she even wears wigs with the 'roots' showing - I hardly think she is in the business of political statement.

[anotheoldgit]

andy-hughes

Yes always best to deny and ridicule anything that is plainly obvious.

[mikey4444]

I think Andy has it right here...storm in a tea-cup if you ask me.

[MargoTester]

Andy-Hughes you are of course entitled to your opinion, but it would seem that most of the papers and the coverage on the news last night saw it as a political statement. Oh and by the way I am Margo.

[andy-hughes]

AOG - //andy-hughes

Yes always best to deny and ridicule anything that is plainly obvious. //

I have advised that I am commenting without the benefit of sight of the video clip - so with that in mind - please confirm that I am 'denying' and what I am 'ridiculing'.

Thank you.

[andy-hughes]

Margo-Tester - //Andy-Hughes you are of course entitled to your opinion, but it would seem that most of the papers and the coverage on the news last night saw it as a political statement. Oh and by the way I am Margo. //

Thank you - I am perfectly happy to be at odds with the media.

Beyoncé plays Superbowl - no sales.

Beyconce plays Superbowl, dancers perform 'Black Power' routine - lots of sales.

So it's not hard to see where they are coming from - is it.

I can see you are Margo - it's in your name - is there some reason why I should know who you are?

[MargoTester]

No just that you asked who I was in an earlier post

[sp1814]

AOG

The video died just after (the excellent) Coldplay track, but thank you for the link. Up until last night, the only available clip on YouTube was a very poorly encoded one which was very fuzzy.

I've read about the controversy - but am not sure whether it was a deliberate political statement about Malcolm X. If the dancers formed an 'X', then this references the choreography in Beyonce's new video for the track 'Formation'.

Many people would not have seen that, because it's been released on Tidal (and let's be honest - who knows anyone who's subscribed to Tidal!)

Will try to have a look a bit later...but I'm beginning to wonder whether this was inference rather than actuality.

After the Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction, I would be very surprised at the NFL allowing themselves to get embroiled in another bit of controversy.

[andy-hughes]

sp1814 - The voice of reason - as usual.

[sp1814]

Hang on second.

What the hell!!!!!

Reading the article, we have the evidence.

In front of a TV audience of one billion, her dancers paraded in outfits similar to controversial activists the Black Panthers.

I am almost certain that the Black Panthers never once went out in black leather hotpants, and six inch disco heels.

I'm happy to be proven wrong...but there it is.

[sp1814]

By the way - real controversy should be how the organisers managed to make a mess of three great acts. Coldplay, Bruno and Beyoncé are all great performers, but this was just a mess.

Not as bad as the Katy Perry nonsense a few years ago, but LEAGUE divisions behind Madonna in 2012.