Super Bowl Halftime Fake Outrage
(And Why It Needs To Stop)
First, there was the camera angle. Then, the loud pop from the fans. Then, the thump from the bass in the speakers. Lastly, the silhouette encasing the performer, is let out of the shadows and brought into the bright Hollywood lights. No, this wasn't the Oscars or the Grammys or Hot 97 Summer Jam. It was the Super Bowl halftime show.
The Super Bowl 56 halftime show lived up to its expectations, even if you're not a fan of the artists that performed. Its probably one of the better Halftime shows I've seen in a while, without having to go on social media and join in the fray of roasting every little nuance that annoyed me but I found hilarious. However, its all in good fun.
The performers were great. The lineup included Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar and Eminem. The music was rocking. Everyone in the stadium was vibing, reliving our young adult partying days from 2001 to 2003. Then, this moment happened: Eminem took a knee, in honor of Colin Kaepernick.
The performance wrapped up and of course, the keyboard warriors, "Karens", and overly-dramatic conservatives came out in droves, spewing out their disgust, not only over the backup dancers with their "barely there" outfits, which were much more covered up in my opinion, compared to the last couple of Super Bowl halftime shows the past decade, but for Eminem's nod to Colin Kaepernick, a former NFL quarterback who took a knee during the national anthem before every football game, to protest racism and injustice in America. Unfortunately, his stance cost him his career, as many people took his protest as anti-American, anti-White/caucasian and anti-Military, when in actuality, it was not even the case. We can debate the particulars of Kaepernick's protest and political views another time, as this is not the point of the subject at hand.
Keep in mind, this is not a celebration or glorification of debauchery or any endorsement of the illuminati to appease your conspiracy theories. This is also not a means to promote frat boy culture, with a mere tone-deaf explanation, telling you that this is just entertainment and you should lighten up. This is me, a sports fan who's also a husband, father, and uncle that fully understands the need to keep certain things away from impressionable minds. To credit those that do bring awareness to these matters, from both the conservative side and the liberal side, I am appreciative of the continued vigilance to keep certain aspect of popular culture and sports in check. After all, displays of vulgarity, pedophilia, misogyny, and over-sexualization have no place and should never have any place anywhere, especially during broadcast hours, where families are gathered together to enjoy each other's company and to watch the game. However, this is a circumstance where this fake outrage over the Super Bowl Halftime show has been over exaggerated and dragged out for too long. After seeing comments, ranging from conspiracy theories with baseless evidence to long-winded social media posts with racist overtones, I finally had enough and decided that now is the time to step in, hopefully with some clarity for most of you. Bear in mind, I am no respecter of persons, places, things or ideas. Sometimes, certain things just need to be called out, including the things that'll make you mad.
For as long as I can remember, I have been hearing, seeing and noticing animosity and resentment building towards the Super Bowl halftime show. Obviously, the Nipple-gate incident in 2004 added more fuel to the fire. In case you live under a rock, look up the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show and you'll see for yourself. I have noticed the excitement and morale of these halftime performances go down. Some people have taken issue with the quality of the performances and how disastrous it turned out to be (i.e. Maroon 5 performing at Super Bowl LIII). Some have taken issue with why certain artists, who are clearly a complete mismatch with primetime sports, were even allowed to perform in the first place (i.e. New Kids On The Block performing at Super Bowl XXV). Then, there were the shameless marketing ploys, with theme-based Super Bowl halftime shows that were just absolutely dismal (i.e. The Blues Brothers halftime show in 1997, to promote the 3rd Blues Brothers movie that was just as crappy as the performance). Even in all these terrible productions, there were actually a few years where they got it right (i.e. Michael Jackson performing in 1993, Prince in 2007, U2 in 2002, and the Motown Tribute in 1998).
I realize that to hold viewership interest, especially for those who don't understand football or even enjoy sports in general, you have to throw in an incentive. You have to have something enticing for the non-football fans to enjoy. In defense of the production companies that have been hired by the NFL to accomplish this task, it is hard to read certain fanbases, the majority of which are males, ranging from adolescence to late-middle age. Everyone has their own tastes. Some people want an all-country music performance, which has happened already, but not everyone is a country fan. Some people actually have the nerve to want to see more art in the halftime performances, like the Super Bowls of the 70's and early 80's. Then, there's football fans like me, that could care less who performs, although I will confess, the only thing that would ever get me excited about a halftime performance is the day the NFL announces that the Wu-Tang Clan will be performing. Now, I could truly relive some childhood memories with that, but its only wishful thinking. Besides, if it did happen, that'll be the day the conservatives will have a nervous breakdown, when they here the crowd chanting, "WU-TANG CLAN AIN'T NOTHIN' TO F--K WITH!" Again, that wishful thinking won't come to pass, as I am understanding of the fact that there is a time and place for everything. Certain things just don't fit the mold, as much as we would like to see it come to pass. Then again, the NFL let The Who, a British rock band from the 60's, perform in 2010. In my humble opinion, that was probably one of the most contradictory performances of all time. However, that isn't even my issue with all the fake outrage people are directing at the Super Bowl Halftime show.
My issue is the absurd hypocrisy and obvious bigotry in all of this. I have noticed a lot of cherry picking within the outrage that critics with prude-like attitudes or political differences have exhibited. First, with the "Karens" and the keyboard warriors of the conservative world. I just find it real funny that whenever an African American artist or a Hispanic artist or any artist of another race performs, suddenly, any type of bodily movement or dancing performed, you slap the "its too sexual" label on them. Yet, when the lead singer from Maroon 5 performed at the Super Bowl halftime show, and he took his shirt off on stage, without true context, I didn't hear or see a single word from anyone except the baby boomers who couldn't comprehend what this musical performance was suppose to be about. I also noticed that the conservatives didn't complain when Mick Jagger, lead singer of the Rolling Stones, started shaking his hips and gyrating his pelvis on stage. Nobody said a word or batted a freaking eye lash. Yet, it was a problem when J.Lo and Shakira did it.
Yeah, hypocrisy at its finest.
Here's the thing; its not just these hardcore conservatives that are leading this new age Salem witch hunt. The keyboard warriors and the "Karens" of the liberal world have a hand in this too. Many of them are going on social media, posting live videos, writing letters and petitions, outraged because they couldn't stand the fact that certain artists, with all the suggestive lyrics and misogyny, which they still couldn't put into context, was somehow the most triggering thing to their existence, besides the fact that they find Super Bowl Sunday an oppressive, patriarchal, capitalist holiday. If you ever scroll through the comments section on the sports pages the day after the Super Bowl, you will literally see these fake woke liberals and wannabe patriotic conservatives have an absolute fit because they felt, due to this performance that was allowed, that America is now going in the wrong direction. Yes, even I was baffled at the logic behind that, mainly because the performance, was not as derogatory as they tried to make it seem.
To all the concerned people out there, who want to go on social media and go thru your "This is obscene"/"This isn't what America should be", holier than thou routine, I promise you, a provocative Super Bowl Halftime show, while unnecessary and grossly overdone for purposes of ad revenue so the sports and entertainment industry can collect the market share to stay in business, will not turn your child into a demon possessed crack head or a police hating socialist or a misogynistic woman beater that'll make Ike Turner look like a choir boy or a gender-confused, non-binary hippie or an American flag burning protester or a brainwashed Q-Anon supporter ready to lead an insurrection or a promiscuous, half-dressed heathen. Seriously, CALM DOWN! There are more horrible tragedies in life and more threatening forces out there that may or may not tempt and destroy your household. Please spare me your crybaby tirades.
That is why I'm calling you all out!
My beef with you so-called "Karens" & keyboard warriors of the conservative world is the same beef I have with so-called "Karens" & keyboard warriors of the liberal world, other than the fact that I find you all annoying and that I personally can't stand any of you. Its your infringement, bullying and self-righteous, ego-driven, pseudo-religious, intellectually flawed, judgmental attitude that is not only sickening, but nobody asked for it. You are not doing anyone a service with your crusade, no matter what side you're on or what your good intentions are. Here's what baffles me the most; you liberals and conservatives speak of freedom, yet, the moment someone or something shows up that goes against what you believe in your soft, little protected bubble, you run around, acting as if the anti-christ just announced he's showing up by the end of the year to start a communist regime, so now you infringe on other people's freedom thinking you're protecting America from evil, not realizing that when a certain freedom is taken away from one group that you crusaded against, it won't be long before the same thing is done to you.
I've listened to the arguments and heard the concerns and explanations from both sides, with an open mind and while a few valid points have been made by both the liberal side and the conservative side, I can tell you, overall, I am not impressed by neither one of you. Your demeanor is that of a bratty child having a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese, who suddenly has a fit because the Chuck E. mascot isn't giving you enough attention after serving you pizza and birthday cake, then assuring you that you're in a safe space yet you start falling out and throw a tantrum because of one imperfection within the safe space, that has somehow destroyed what you imagined as being your perfect safe space and now no one can have a good time because you won't calm down and listen to reason.
You all are sitting there, enamored in your own self-righteous convictions, trying to go to war with a multi-billion dollar sports enterprise that literally owns a day of the week, from mid-August 'til early February, that will still make billions of dollars after your protests, complaints, boycotts, social media debates, fire & brimstone sermons, pseudo-intellectual facebook live videos and letters to the FCC. While it is your right to speak up, speak out and fight what you feel is the good fight, there are many other things, broadcasted on television and streaming services for you to be outraged about, instead of a 15 to 20 minute musical performance from an artist that's trying to remain as relevant as the championship football game we are watching, that only comes once a year.
To all you keyboard warriors, "Karens" and whoever else gripes and complains about the Super Bowl Halftime Show, I want you to know three things. Number one, there's this little invention called the off button, that is found on most remote controls, television sets and computers. If you see or hear something you don't like, press the off button once and watch the awful image fade to black and go away. Put the remote down, turn away from the screen and go have a nice day. Or better yet, save yourself the stress of raising your blood pressure from your own overthinking & getting worked up from being so offended by what you disagree with and just don't watch it at all.
Number two, no matter what side you're on, you are benefiting nobody. You aren't saving anybody. You are not doing any great thing that you feel, in your mind, places you in the pathway of being a martyr or a freedom fighter or the savior of America. Your identity politics will not save you or anyone else. You are not Che Guevara, Assata Shakur, George Washington, David Duke, Marcus Rogers, Alex Jones, Candace Owens, Rachel Maddow, Ben Shapiro, Charlie Kirk, Anderson Cooper or whoever you liberals, conservatives, socialists, feminists or fake woke people idolize. I'm grouping all of you together because you are literally two sides of the same coin, using emotional hustling and virtue signaling to over emphasize an already drawn out point. I pray for the day you all realize that and come to another realization. Not everything warrants a response. Sometimes, you really do have to live and let live.
Not everyone will share your point of view, and quite frankly, no one is obligated to. Not everyone is easily offended. Not so much because of a lack of morals or a lack of intellectual insight but because they need a break from the monotony of life. Last time I checked, that is not a sin. Even the good Lord up above rested on the Sabbath. More importantly, not everyone has to agree with you. Even the context of what I'm writing, you have every right to agree or disagree. That's what this country was founded upon. As for the finer points of what you believe in and what you stand by and what is moral or obscene, that is up to you & your household and what you all decide collectively in your home. Govern your own homes accordingly and stop letting the media, especially social media (which is not a real place), feed you what your opinion should be. If other households and families are in agreement with you, that's fine because having a sense of community is important, as long as you respect the differences of other communities without projecting or bullying your beliefs onto others that might not feel the same way as you do. Everyone is different. That's a good thing.
That factor alone should be the very thing that unites us all in America, especially on a day like Super Bowl Sunday, instead of having hissy fits and fake outrage over Snoop Dogg's rap lyrics or Justin Timberlake's ill-timed misogynistic treatment of Janet Jackson or Shakira & J.Lo moving their hips during a Super Bowl halftime show. There are bigger battles to fight in this world. This is not one of them. LET IT GO!
Number three, nobody cares. Yes, you read that right. Nobody cares, especially real sports fans. We are not here for a mediocre halftime music concert. We are here for the game. Well, at least I am. Get that through your head. I know that all of this sounds like dismissive gaslighting by means of desensitization because we want you to stop getting on our nerves with your opinion of what you think the truth is because you've become so offended by the nonsensical obscenities that you just viewed, but that's isn't any different than your little soapbox routine because you allowed one moment of broadcast television to disrupt your peace instead of you being in control of your own peace. It does not give you the right to be dismissive of someone else's peace. It never will.
Please, for everyone's sake, including your own, find a more profound cause to stand behind rather than protesting & complaining about a once a year musical performance that'll just become an after thought that everyone laughs about on YouTube. People like me are here for the love of the game of football, not your personal convictions, regardless of what side you're on. So, grab your plate of buffalo wings, pour up your favorite beverage and please, SHUT UP!
We're trying to watch the game. The only part of Super Bowl Sunday that actually matters. Not some rinky-dink halftime show.
sugurugetos
stormborns
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