On Thursday, Beyoncé finally answered critics of her recent performances and ‘Formation’ video for delivering strongly negative messages towards police officers, and even advocating racial counter-violence. “Anyone who perceives my message as anti-police is completely mistaken,” Beyoncé told Elle magazine. “I have so much admiration and respect for officers and the families of officers who sacrifice themselves to keep us safe.”
Beyoncé then continues: “But let’s be clear: I am against police brutality and injustice. Those are two separate things.”
Two separate things, indeed, though police unions nationwide have expressed concern that this distinction hasn’t been made clear to the roughly 36.3 million viewers of the ‘Formation’ video, not to mention the roughly 112 million viewers of the singer’s Black Panther-inspired Super Bowl 50 Halftime performance.
All of which raises the question: Is Beyoncé not only failing to make that distinction in her latest work, but recklessly abusing her massive media power at the expense of police officers? That remains a serious concern of police unions nationwide along with leaders like Rudy Giuliani, all of whom remain deeply unhappy in light of images like these:
All of which has prompted calls for boycotts of her albums and tour dates, with even the NFL receiving heavy criticism for allowing the Halftime performance in the first place.
Beyonce has not discussed the matter beyond the Elle interview this week.
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