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Okay. So I wanted to share some thoughts on the #Grammys. I stopped watching them years ago but when I scrolled through my Instagram I saw tons of clips on my timeline so it felt like I watched. 1. We must divest from the idea of celebrity. And divest from the idea that these "awards" hold value when they've consistently shown racial bias and inconsistencies. 2. I appreciate Jay-Z for what he said during this speech about how wild it is that the most decorated Grammy winner (Beyonce) has yet to win Album of the Year. That math doesn't math. 3. What didn't make sense to me is if you think the Grammys don't matter or shouldn't matter, why even show up in the first place? The Grammys and any other ⚪️ award/accolade only matter because we place value on it. I think the Grammy's decided to give Jay that award to bait him into coming since they probably know Jay and Bey wouldn't go under normal circumstances since they are already hip to Grammy's foolery. 4. I wish more artists, Jay-Z included, used the opportunity to say "Free 🇵🇸" and acknowledge the current *jenoside* taking place. How are you upset about inequities within the music industry but cannot simultaneously acknowledge the oppression that folks in G@za are currently experiencing? 5. There is a whole 'nother analysis that must be done about how the music industry and society as a whole infantilizes Taylor Swift and how her ⚪️ness shields her in comparison to others, but that is a discussion for another day. Did you watch the Grammys (aka the Scammy's 😂)? What were your thoughts?
Thanks for posting Janice. I did watch because my son and daughter-in-law were over & informed me Grammy's were on & they wanted to watch. I too stopped watching Grammys, & Oscars. 2 award shows whose racial bias turned me off years ago. What I loved was Fantasia's tribute to the late, great Tina Turner! She did that! What I also loved was Miley Cyrus's performance of her song "Flowers" She too paid tribute to the late, great Tina Turner in her style & delivery. I'm so happy she made the song, because I learned a long time ago to buy myself flowers and treat myself good. If I treat myself with love, compassion, and honor that energy emanates. How can we attract what we are not? I was impressed with the declaration the women were making about not putting up with disrespect, mistreatment, or misogyny. Queens keep your crowns straight! On to Jay-Z. I totally agreed with what he said. The math doesn't math but we know what it is. The pain of being denied over an over is real. As Black people in a white supremacist culture we have to feed our spirits. Center in what is true, not what is projected upon us. We have to internalize the fact that our worth is inherent. Our brilliance undeniable and our impact profound.
Love divesting from ALL of this nonsense. We know who is excellent and don’t need anyone to tell us otherwise.
I didn't watch, but I'm listening to Tracy Chapman on repeat. she's everything and that song transports me back to so many road trips to so many places with beloveds. i appreciated that the country music guy bowed down to her at the end. that felt right and respectful.
Didn't bother watching but caught snippets of his speech, Janice Gassam Asare, Ph.D. I don't have high expectations of celebrities to be the voices of world protests. His daughter looked lovely and I agree with #5. 👑
You’re so right about divesting from the idea of celebrity for vanity’s sake. I would love to see us create an award that celebrates our most impactful entrepreneurs and leaders of color. Doing so influences our youth on who they can aspire to become.
I just came here to say #Scammys 🤣🤣🤣. So on point, and of course I didn’t watch. So many better things to do.
No I didn’t, but right now, the only person I want to watch is Annie Lennox - raising her fist in solidarity ✊
Can we take a moment to laud and give flowers to the unsung heroes who keep our homes, neighborhoods, communities, and cities afloat and thriving with their ingenuity, resilience, love and empathy? I am so disenchanted and disillusioned with "celebrity", especially when they have disdain for those in smaller socioeconomic and geographic environments. When we stop gassing them and acting like they are deities, maybe then we can focus on what is most important... preserving humanity by elevating being over doing and making sure people have what they need for basic survival!!!!
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8moAnd the way TSwift disrespected The Celine Dion