As one of the world's leading entertainers, Beyonce would have been justified in seeking the rest of her weekend off. Instead, it was a little busier than normal. On Saturday, she released a previously unannounced new single, with a politically charged video. On Sunday, she performed at half-time of the 50th Super Bowl, American football's end-of-season extravaganza and the most-watched television event of the year in the United States.
Soon after, she announced a 40-date world tour that will start in late April in Miami, but it was her Super Bowl show in California, referencing celebrated black figures of the past and recent black history, that gained the headlines. Even before the performance, when images of the backing artists were posted from backstage, plenty of people picked up on the visual reference - the berets of the Black Panther Party.
The Black Panthers, as we all know, were a militant organisation that rejected the non-violent ideals of Martin Luther King, the party was set up 50 years ago to defend black people against violence. The group was established in Oakland, barely 40 miles from the stadium in Santa Clara where Beyonce performed on Sunday.
At one point, the singer and her backing dancers raised a fist into the air, mimicking the Black Panthers' salute. The reference did not go unnoticed.
Apparently the Black Panther movement is still very much alive today. What does it mean to be a Black Panther? According to several websites, they have a unified sole purpose. This mission statement goes as such:
'The Sole purpose of a Panther is to be a revolutionary in the African/Black peoples liberation struggle and to mobilize the masses towards self determination. A Panther must be a Vanguard example at all times. In order to accomplish this great and divine mission, she/he must be: Spiritual, Respectful, Militant, Subservient, Humble, Disciplined, Accountable, Reliable, Adaptable and Loyal.'
Judging by their mission statement, the Black Panther movement is a very honorable one. Although today, decades after all races achieved legal equality here in America, some still harbor prejudice for one another. This movement is one of people who acknowledge the same inferiority complex in others and unite together in strength. Whether this 'struggle' is in their minds or not doesn't really matter. They believe they're doing a good thing.
So why is it met with such controversy today? There are two big reasons.
One, because so many still acknowledge this 'struggle' and many others do not.
Two, it's black history month, and there is a brand new Black Panther movie coming out this February 16th on PBS.
The real question is: Did PBS pay Beyonce for all the publicity?
This reporters opinion: Probably not. That lovable goddess probably did it for free.
by Randall Thomas
Model City had once thrived, owing its glory to the success of the Love Canal and the genius of Nikola Tesla. Now, it suffers from economic collapse. In a city laden with crime, wanton heroes emerge. A mysterious character begins to lead the blind, and a mountain of conspiracy clouds the minds of the righteous.
Burdened by conjecture and stricken with grief, William Howell somehow manages to climb the corporate ladder. The Model Citizen newspaper represents to him the true word of the people. It is up to him to determine its quality.
Read the first 5,000 words free, here:
Thanks,
Joe
No comments:
Post a Comment