#standwithkaep

I have watched it and rewatched it and taken my time to mull it over. The verdict is: I thought it was good. I didn’t think it was “OH MY GOD, cancel my plans I must learn this choreography immediately”-good and I’ve been there before.

In fact, four years ago when Beyonce performed at the half-time show with Bruno Mars (and Coldplay), I did need to shut my life down and recuperate. I was shook. Beyonce, you see, invoked another era and still thrived in the present. She, like the very best artists, hearkened back feelings, moments, nostalgia of yore and challenged it with the full toolbox of the culture at present. She was a Black Panther and an alien and everything in between. I am not even a die-hard Beyonce stan like that but as far as Super Bowl half-time performances go, we’re all still waiting for anyone to top her.

I know, I know, Prince sang in the rain and his two dancers somehow managed to avoid devastating catastrophes on stage. Guitar solos, sex appeal and, again, all that rain. I don’t know how it happened either. Prince was a beautiful pixie-sex-god. Simple as that. Don’t overthink his contributions to the culture. His sex appeal exists in a different realm than the physical. We do not yet have the words to describe the colors he painted with. So, no, I will not compare Beyonce’s performance to his. Beyonce is many things, but she’s firmly, confidently a woman. Meaning she’s of this world, not fairy land, so we can not explain away her drive or success as coincidental. She is the hardest working woman in show business (though J.Lo appears to be right behind her). But she is a woman nonetheless. All of her hard work is pounded out step by step, day by day, meal by meal, soundcheck by soundcheck. She’s a craftswoman and, in addition to her talent, I believe that’s why she’s the queen. No one can outwork her and I love a work ethic. I believe we all do.

And that brings us back to the matter at hand, the halftime show was good. They clearly worked hard on a dazzling show. No if’s and’s or but’s about it. Anyone denying that is either racist or sexist and I won’t engage with a third option.

Let’s now take a moment to address the blow-back from the right wing (who, I fear, is being stupid on purpose at this point), J.Lo and Shakira have beautiful bodies that they’ve clearly spent decades toning and gyrating and choreographing with. I will not tolerate any bad-mouthing about their overt sexiness and lack of taste. I hate America’s prudishness when it comes to our female artists. Especially when we’ve promoted Britney Spears since she was 17 talking about ‘Hit me baby, one more time’. It always feels like we take greater offense when the women being discussed are non-white (yes, I am citing the Janet Jackson nipple-gate scenario). We (the larger “we”, not me personally) applaud the Victoria’s Secret fashion show but now we want to condemn these beautiful women, over 40, for loving their bodies and showing them off on the biggest stage of their careers? Make it make sense. Is it because they’re Latina? Or have thicker thighs than those models? Or is it because they seem totally self-possessed and in charge of how they present themselves? Do we hate women being in charge that much? How is one sexiness acceptable and the other isn’t?

The Victoria’s Secret fashion show appears on CBS. That’s as basic cable as it can get. I wonder if it boils down to the Super Bowl being a “family-friendly” show and the VS fashion show is explicitly sexier. Perhaps these critics were just caught off-guard and they hate surprises! (But just take one look at the asses on some of these players in those see-through pants and tell me that the whole premise of the NFL is not the lovechild of a horny Grindr executive! I dare you.)

Plus, to the point about J.Lo and Shakira being half-naked, they better be! They are athletes and athletes get hot! (We don’t expect tennis players to cover up.) Of course they wanted to show off what they’ve worked their entire lives for. Nobody gets in that kind of shape on accident. Plus, it felt right to showcase their athleticism on America’s greatest stage surrounded by other athletes for the world to see. To dance that hard and work all that hair and appear to be having the time of your life is grueling! They pulled it off swimmingly. Dare I say, joyfully??

Now, where the show falters for me is this, it did not shock or stun or educate me. And I know the last one sounds funny but let me explain. I do not need live performances to give me an education in a classic sense. But I do like art, and that includes cheesy half-time shows, to reveal something of the artist. So in that sense, I do look for some emotional or spiritual education to take place. Show me something I don’t know, if you will. Give me some reveal, some baring of the soul. And, I don’t think anyone can say we got that.

Yes, J.Lo referenced ‘Hustlers’ with a gorgeous pole-dancing number which I adored as a political statement to the Oscars (a real, ‘How you like me now?’). And, Shakira played guitar and the drums and did some very cool Afro-Latino dance moves that broke from her tradition of wacky inflatable tube man gyrations. We could say her performance felt very global and that felt cool. And yes, most overtly, little kids sang in cages. They might’ve been Cinderella-inspired beautiful, shimmering, easily-escapable cages...but, didn’t we want more?

It’s not J.Lo or Shakira’s job to stick it to the man at the most watched television event of the year. But I did leave the performance really craving a more biting indictment of our country’s hypocrisy. Remember, this is the year after every artist under the sun (except Adam Levine) refused to perform the half-time show as a show of solidarity with Colin Kaepernick. In spite of the NFL’s hardest-hitting attempts at addressing police brutality with some pointed commercials, no NFL executive or spokesperson made a statement in regards to it. They left all the explanation to the families of the victims of the violence. And needless to say, those people were black. Because, as always, we expect black people to solve racism.

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#TakeAKnee

Disclaimer, This is not for the “faint hearted.” spare me. Do not try to defend white supremacy here. feign ignorance else where.

Like many, I’m a huge football fan. I look forward to the fall and Football Sundays. I’m ready to pull out all of my gear and rep my team. But this year, has felt very different. I did attempt to watch the season openers, but it was kind of hard to actually devote any emotion to the game.

#TakeAKnee

Just for background info, Colin Kaepernick, chose to use his platform as a professional  football player, to protest racial injustice and police brutality/accountability. #TakeAKnee At the time, in 2016, and counting, many more black lives have been taken at the hands of police officers. And there has been a severe lack of police accountability, Even with the recent issue with the NFL’s own Michael Bennett, who has recently accused the Vegas police of racism, He was racially profiled.

Kaepernick’s intent was never to disrespect the flag or veterans. And he has been very respectful and firm thus far. That was just another “excuse” used to rile up those with white privilege. The same people who are unaware that there is a U.S code that pertains to the American Flag that they break on a daily basis. *shrugs*

Here is where the rant comes in

Let’s fast forward to 2017. Not only is Kaepernick unemployed. Some of his colleagues tried to justify why he doesn’t have a job. And many are currently coming forward stating that he’s better than a lot of the quarterbacks currently on the league. The “President” of what’s to be the free world, Donald Trump, decided to issue this statement at a live rally in Alabama. “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, you’d say, ‘Get that son of a bitch’ off the field right now. Out! He’s fired”

Disrespect the flag? the same flag he refused to go to war for? The same flag he chooses not to salute? Or, how Trump is trying to spin this as an insult to veterans. The same people he mocks and disrespects on a regular basis.

How can the president of a nation feel that it’s okay to disrespect the people that live within it. Rude doesn’t even begin to describe the type of man we have in office right now. He lacks integrity, intelligence, compassion and chill. He does not have any type of conscious or any morals. It’s embarrassing that his man can represent us as a whole and continue to divide America on its ill foundation. Trump is just highlighting what America has been forever. There’s just no hiding it this time.

“Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. He’s Fired”

First and foremost, this statement, is directed towards the minorities that play in the NFL. Specifically, African Americans. How the hell are African American’s considered SOB’s but the white supremacist and Nazi’s from the rally were “very fine men”? Maybe I missed the part where the NFL players were violent and attacking people that disagreed? Maybe I missed the part where Colin Kaepernick didn’t peacefully protest or was disrespectful.

The expectation that any one should stand for a flag and anthem that does NOT fly for them, is ridiculous. Think about it, Blacks are good enough to DIE for this country but aren’t good enough to be PROTECTED in THIS country. HOW? And people can’t step out of their own privilege long enough to see the problem.

People of color fight alongside white’s in our military. They are accepted into the military the same. They risk and lay down their lives to protect our freedom and liberties. Which includes the pursuit of happiness, freedom of speech ALONG with our right to choose.  How can one continuously live and die for this flag, just to fear getting gunned down by a police officer as a CIVILIAN, because they feel threatened by the color of that Vet’s skin. OR They are still being racially profiled and called a “Nigger” all because they live here. They have sacrificed and given just as much as the next.

Or let’s not overlook the fact that EXCESSIVE FORCE is still a thing and is still “acceptable” to be used when African-Americans are confronted by police. JUST because the police officer feels “threatened” by the color of someone’s skin. These people are DYING!!! And there is no form of justice or peace for their families.

But Colin’s Mama. tweeted the perfect response to Trump, “Guess that makes me a proud bitch!” – You better stand by your son Mama Kaep. It should have never gotten to this point, but hey, we are here and proud.

ugh

I can’t say that I’m proud to be American. In fact, I’ve never been proud and at the rate this country is going, I most likely will never be. I’m with Kaep. I can’t watch the games. I genuinely have zero interest. I feel disgusted, that people don’t mind seeing these black folks play and get their fantasy points up. But can’t stomach the fact that these players feel that the lives of people who look like them are in jeopardy; so they kneel. They silently protest for those that have been murdered. They kneel to bring awareness. If you have an issue that someone is kneeling during the anthem and not the fact that they are being gunned down in cold blood. YOU are a part of the problem.

It’s been beautiful watching the teams stand together in unison. It would just be nice for this to be the beginning of change for Blacks in America. Even to see, Dolphin’s safety, Michael Thomas, get teary eyed about the change he wants to facilitate for his daughter, and how disrespected felt by the president of the United States.  My hope is that the coaches and owners can continue to stand and back their players of color. And for those that can’t, for the teams that are threatening their players, it’s a shame. African Americans make up 70% of the NFL. SEVENTY FREAKIN PERCENT. But there’s an issue when they kneel.

#TakeAKnee