“GROSS. Beyonce’s Super Bowl Performance Was a Racist Political Statement In Support of Marxist Cop Killers!” screamed the headline of the Gateway Pundit. “Beyonce NFL Halftime Show Targets Cops, Whites in BLM Style Attacks,” complained Constitution Rising.
Among the things right-wing conservatives found offensive: Beyoncé gave a Black Power salute onstage; her dancers were dressed in costumes that honored the Black Panthers; and the music video for “Formation” protests the government’s slow response to Hurricane Katrina, offers support for the Black Lives Matter movement, and draws attention to the largely unprosecuted killing of black men by police in America.
All of which seems like pretty important issues that need to be discussed…. but far be if from knee-jerk whackadoodles to have a serious conversation about race in America. Instead, they’ve decided to protest the messenger. To that end, Eventbrite has a posting for an “Anti-Beyoncé Protest Rally” at the NFL headquarters in New York on February 16.
The event description calls her Super Bowl performance a “race-baiting stunt”:
“Join us as we demonstrate on the block of the NFL Headquarters building.
Are you offended as an American that Beyoncé pulled her race-baiting stunt at the Superbowl?
Do you agree that it was a slap in the face to law enforcement?
Do you agree that the Black Panthers was/is a hate group which should not be glorified?
Come and let’s stand together. Let’s tell the NFL we don’t want hate speech & racism at the Superbowl ever again!”
But of course for every protest, there’s a protest of the protest, and an “Anti-Anti-Beyoncé Protest” event has already been scheduled:
“Sisters, dress in your “Formation” video/Super Bowl performance-inspired gear and make this a moment a joyous one! Allies and friends, show up and show your support!
We have asked our biggest stars to get political and Bey went there. Don’t let anyone make her powerful statement about the value of Black life be overshadowed by those who don’t believe that our lives matter.
(via The Cut)
