The NFL Headquarters in New York will host an Anti-Beyonce Protest Rally on February 16, 2016. It’s quite bizarre, isn’t it? This information is not something I could have imagined, but it is. Beyonce, the superstar performer, is being criticized for her Superbowl half-time performance. Beyonce’s critics claim that her song of choice promotes racism and is a “slap in front to law enforcement.” Beyonce also performed “Formation,” her new single.

Beyonce’s song is allegedly racist, but I don’t know why. Let’s first define racism. Racism refers to the belief that every member of a given race is unique and has many differences from discrimination. Racism can be directed at any race. However, it is only those who have been oppressed that can be considered racist. Beyonce cannot be considered racist for her song, although it can certainly be discriminatory. This song has been played over and over by me. Her lyrics are free of hate speech. Her own race is mentioned a number of times. She cites her race as an example when she says, “My daddy Alabama/ Mumma Louisiana/ You mix that Negro and that creole/ Get a Texas Bamma.” Beyonce also spoke out about race, saying, “I like baby [‘s] shave/ with baby hair and Afros/ I like Jackson Five nostrils/ My negro nose and my natural hair.” Both her husband and daughter are regularly criticized in the media. These lyrics are not intended to be a form of hate speech.

Beyonce might have caused some outrage by declaring that her black heritage made her superior to others, but I don’t think she would. Beyonce didn’t even mention any other races in her song. She doesn’t sing about anything violent and she does not use lyrics that demeaningly or offensively refer to other races. She does acknowledge her heritage and I find it admirable. But, how is that discriminatory? However, many songs mention the lovely blonde hair and the dreamy blue eyes her lover. Nobody is protesting these artists.

How can Anti-Beyonce protestors see any value in their arguments, you might ask? The music video for “Formation” has the answer. The lyrics are not sensitive or questionable. This makes it perfectly acceptable to perform at the Superbowl. Another story is the music video. They are furious that Beyonce displays a sign in her video calling for “Stop Shooting Us.” A young boy is seen dancing in front the police in a hoodie. The young boy raises his hands and the police follow suit by raising their hands. This symbol is commonly known as “Don’t Shoot” and signifies that the person being arrested is not armed. Critics say that the video references the Black Panthers, which were founded to counteract and protect blacks against acts of terror. Despite their history of being violently racist, the U.S. government expelled the Black Panthers. But the Ku Klux Klan was not recognized as a terrorist organisation and it continues to exist today. Critics believe that Black Panthers is a racist group. Beyonce is accused of threatening white people with her music video, which reflects the Black Panthers views. Police officers feel threatened by a sign saying “stop shooting at us.” But when black people feel threatened, they hold sit-ins and marches. Racism is not real when we are its victims. When white people feel that it is happening, racism suddenly appears. For a moment, think about that.