I don't "get" most hip hop (and anyone looking at my photo shouldn't be too surprised by that), but I LOVED Kendrick Lamar's halftime show because it was visually beautiful and it really meant something real.🙏🏼🤗
(Just for the record, I don't get football either. 😜)
Very humorous. I don't really care about most crapitalist entities. I was sort of neutral after I learned that Mahome's wife is a supporter of the fascist tRump! He doesn't commit. After this ignore-ant one saw the QB for the Eagles, I'm happy for them and him.
GenX white chick here. I'll be the first to admit that I didn't understand 90% of the references, or the sly imagery, and the innuendos behind it. I also don't listen to hip-hop or rap - (I'm more metal / alternative, white as white gets in the musical field outside of country which I also do not listen to - at all). All of that said, I still didn't hate the performance.
I loved the inclusion of Samuel Jackson as Uncle Sam, I enjoyed the lyrics and the visuals I did manage to understand, and while I don't care for the music itself I fully grok and respect that the performance wasn't for me (white chick without a clue). I would also be a liar if I said that after reading the lyrics I understood it all - I didn't, don't, and may never understand the meaning behind his poetry.
I felt a little sad that I didn't catch all of the nuance, not specifically because it wasn't for me, but because I am in all admitted honesty so ignorant to the culture behind it. That is what makes me sad, my ignorance. I know that the black community deserved the performance and got a much needed jolt of support and energy through it. I wish I could have shared in that, but I couldn't without some remedial explanation and help. And even with it explained, nothing behind what I said above changes.
I don't blame myself or others for it. I am here (and in other areas where I'm allowed to peek in to the black culture) to try to learn as quietly and respectfully as I can because I am so removed from you all. I google a lot and read the explanations behind it. I'll say this - the man has balls, and I respect the hell out of that.
I also appreciate a platform where I may be allowed to peek in from time to time to cure my cultural ignorance. Thank you for openly sharing. I have become a particular fan of Monique Judge also.
Edit: Also - is it wrong that the word caucasity makes me cackle when I see it? I love it! LOL
Add me to the list of Gen X white women who love good hip hop. I grew up on RUNDMC. NWA, Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul…Kendrick is a legend!
Same here - a Gen X white woman who tries to remain curious about people and culture that aren’t directly a part of my life. I loved the halftime show from the moment people in red, white, and blue costumes were streaming out of the clown car, and Samuel L. Jackson introduced himself as Uncle Sam. I thought it was brilliant and provocative. Today, some white women at the gym were talking about it, and just didn’t understand any of it. They thought the halftime show should be appealing to a mass audience. I tried to explain it a bit, but I knew they weren’t curious.
65 year old boomer. Think long hair, white guy listening to Pink Floyd smoking crappy weed 1974. 3 days ago, could not have told you who he is. Now a fan.
Lovely tribute to your grandmother, who apparently did not play. I enjoyed the halftime show, even though I have had to watch it a couple of times today to catch most of the lyrics. How are we ever going to be America if people can’t even spend 13 minutes appreciating another take on reality?
I don't watch the NFL so I didn't see it until this morning on YouTube. I thought it was wonderful. The best protest performance I could have hoped for. It was definitely just for us.
I didn’t watch til today , had a good discussion about the meaning - I’m an old white lady , but I work in a diverse metro HS. It made me happy that it made the kids happy , and that they were actively discussing issues, art, etc with ea other quite a positive impact.
I'm a 70 year old white woman who attends a line dancing class with other 70+year old white women.
After class on Monday, the teacher said she loved everything about the Super Bowl except the halftime show. She said she "didn't understand it" and had "no idea who the performer was."
"Was it supposed to be patriotic?" she wondered, "They were dressed in red, white and blue."
I spoke up and said, "Even if you didn't understand the show, look Kendrick Lamar up. He's a good man. He rose from the ghetto to be a multiple Grammy-winning performer and won a Pulitzer Prize for his work. He's a respected artist and an admirable man."
I vaguely knew about Lamar because of his feud with Drake but not much more.
After researching him I am now a fan and he is my hero for that stunning halftime show.
I am also a huge fan of Michael Harriot and a buyer of his books. I often reference his writing in conversations I have with people who need to hear his perspective.
70+ boomer (please don't throw rocks! 🫢) here. Yes, white. Mixed family. My daughter (45 today) has been teaching us/me about white privilege. People tend to mostly ignore issues that don't affect them. I've been into peace and justice many years. However, exploring our privilege is eye opening.
I am a Townhall member. I met Mr. Harriot there. His book tour events are inspiring and definitely on target. 🎯 un-whitewashes the propaganda. ✌️
I don't "get" most hip hop (and anyone looking at my photo shouldn't be too surprised by that), but I LOVED Kendrick Lamar's halftime show because it was visually beautiful and it really meant something real.🙏🏼🤗
(Just for the record, I don't get football either. 😜)
Very humorous. I don't really care about most crapitalist entities. I was sort of neutral after I learned that Mahome's wife is a supporter of the fascist tRump! He doesn't commit. After this ignore-ant one saw the QB for the Eagles, I'm happy for them and him.
Overall, I don't care.
GenX white chick here. I'll be the first to admit that I didn't understand 90% of the references, or the sly imagery, and the innuendos behind it. I also don't listen to hip-hop or rap - (I'm more metal / alternative, white as white gets in the musical field outside of country which I also do not listen to - at all). All of that said, I still didn't hate the performance.
I loved the inclusion of Samuel Jackson as Uncle Sam, I enjoyed the lyrics and the visuals I did manage to understand, and while I don't care for the music itself I fully grok and respect that the performance wasn't for me (white chick without a clue). I would also be a liar if I said that after reading the lyrics I understood it all - I didn't, don't, and may never understand the meaning behind his poetry.
I felt a little sad that I didn't catch all of the nuance, not specifically because it wasn't for me, but because I am in all admitted honesty so ignorant to the culture behind it. That is what makes me sad, my ignorance. I know that the black community deserved the performance and got a much needed jolt of support and energy through it. I wish I could have shared in that, but I couldn't without some remedial explanation and help. And even with it explained, nothing behind what I said above changes.
I don't blame myself or others for it. I am here (and in other areas where I'm allowed to peek in to the black culture) to try to learn as quietly and respectfully as I can because I am so removed from you all. I google a lot and read the explanations behind it. I'll say this - the man has balls, and I respect the hell out of that.
I also appreciate a platform where I may be allowed to peek in from time to time to cure my cultural ignorance. Thank you for openly sharing. I have become a particular fan of Monique Judge also.
Edit: Also - is it wrong that the word caucasity makes me cackle when I see it? I love it! LOL
GenX white girl here to say “what she said”. Thank you for having a platform that gives us an opportunity to learn.
Add me to the list of Gen X white women who love good hip hop. I grew up on RUNDMC. NWA, Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul…Kendrick is a legend!
White boomer here. What you said 100%.
Same here - a Gen X white woman who tries to remain curious about people and culture that aren’t directly a part of my life. I loved the halftime show from the moment people in red, white, and blue costumes were streaming out of the clown car, and Samuel L. Jackson introduced himself as Uncle Sam. I thought it was brilliant and provocative. Today, some white women at the gym were talking about it, and just didn’t understand any of it. They thought the halftime show should be appealing to a mass audience. I tried to explain it a bit, but I knew they weren’t curious.
Gen X 57 white woman who was blessed enough to witness the ushering in of hip hop/rap in NYC.
I have been a fan of the art form since day one. Love all different styles, flows, but mostly lean towards “true” lyricists.
Kendrick Lamar has won a Pulitzer for his writing. His storytelling is one of the best in the game, ever.
Halftime show? Watched it over and over again. Loved every damn second of it.
Absolutely perfect piece, every word. As usual but with extra spice ‘cuz your grandma. ♥️
65 year old boomer. Think long hair, white guy listening to Pink Floyd smoking crappy weed 1974. 3 days ago, could not have told you who he is. Now a fan.
Me too.
If white people like it, you’re probably doing it wrong.
Priceless!
Yapping
Yapping
Lovely tribute to your grandmother, who apparently did not play. I enjoyed the halftime show, even though I have had to watch it a couple of times today to catch most of the lyrics. How are we ever going to be America if people can’t even spend 13 minutes appreciating another take on reality?
Never stop writing Mr. Harriot. Let them with ears hear, let them with eyes see.
I don't watch the NFL so I didn't see it until this morning on YouTube. I thought it was wonderful. The best protest performance I could have hoped for. It was definitely just for us.
I didn’t watch til today , had a good discussion about the meaning - I’m an old white lady , but I work in a diverse metro HS. It made me happy that it made the kids happy , and that they were actively discussing issues, art, etc with ea other quite a positive impact.
Your pen is amazing sir
I keep rewatching the performance. Mostly because all the kids in the room during the first time lost their damn minds and I couldn’t hear a thing.
Loved every single word of this! ❤️
I'm a 70 year old white woman who attends a line dancing class with other 70+year old white women.
After class on Monday, the teacher said she loved everything about the Super Bowl except the halftime show. She said she "didn't understand it" and had "no idea who the performer was."
"Was it supposed to be patriotic?" she wondered, "They were dressed in red, white and blue."
I spoke up and said, "Even if you didn't understand the show, look Kendrick Lamar up. He's a good man. He rose from the ghetto to be a multiple Grammy-winning performer and won a Pulitzer Prize for his work. He's a respected artist and an admirable man."
I vaguely knew about Lamar because of his feud with Drake but not much more.
After researching him I am now a fan and he is my hero for that stunning halftime show.
I am also a huge fan of Michael Harriot and a buyer of his books. I often reference his writing in conversations I have with people who need to hear his perspective.
70+ boomer (please don't throw rocks! 🫢) here. Yes, white. Mixed family. My daughter (45 today) has been teaching us/me about white privilege. People tend to mostly ignore issues that don't affect them. I've been into peace and justice many years. However, exploring our privilege is eye opening.
I am a Townhall member. I met Mr. Harriot there. His book tour events are inspiring and definitely on target. 🎯 un-whitewashes the propaganda. ✌️
Good one. I skipped the game and just watched the half time show.
Not all wyppl. The Blues stole me 60 yrs ago. Rap doesn't speak to me but it's still the Blues.
Love love love everything you write Mr. Harriot. And that halftime show was 🔥🔥🔥