We, as survivors, get the right to define what happened to us. Even if it doesn’t fit the narrative other people want, even if others would find it easier if we changed our story so it would make better sense to them, even if others want to justify what our abusers did because “they didn’t know better” or “they were hurt, too.” Even if our experiences are “too much to be real” for some and “too little to count” for others.
Remember how inspired everyone was after Queen Bey’s half-time show? That needs to happen again! And it would have if Missy Elliot was given the lead performers slot that was tragically given to Katy Perry.
I am watching the Super Bowl and having several discussions with others via Facebook, text, and in person, and I am hearing many arguments on why it is okay for Katy Perry to perform at the half-time show. Some of the reasons are “yes, she has done many racist things but her songs aren’t racist”. So we are discussing how promoting a person who is racist is harmful. While discussing racism I have heard over and over “if they were such a racist then the media wouldn’t let them on tv/they wouldn’t be so famous/they would have no fans” and I can only wish that were true. The thing is, the media DOES promote racist singers, actors, musicians, etc. and that can be confusing to the ignorant masses. Many white people will think they can’t be that racist or they wouldn’t be on tv, which continues the promotion of racism. Because if you support a racist person you are also saying the racists things they have done aren’t that bad. Boycotting a person because of their acts of racism is not saying they’ve never made a good song, it means that you won’t stand for racism, you won’t promote them when they are racist. By looking past their acts of racism you are saying that racism isn’t worth your notice.
Mod update: hey everyone! Last time I posted about my life it was about my father having a brain tumor and needing a roommate so I could get out of an abusive home. So to update: my father is still ill, he had gone to the hospital after a hemorage and is home now. The doctors say he could pass any day so there’s no knowing how long he has left. The home I am in is still absuive but I have a better job now and am looking into getting into assistance programs. So I am not as stuck as I had thought before. Wishing you all a wonderful, safe life! ~Rose
