Janelle Monae’s Police Brutality Speech Cut From ‘Today’ Show [Video]
Janelle Monae tried to use her performance on the Today show as a way to voice her views on police brutality. However, as she started giving her speech, the producers cut from the singer, panned over to one of the show’s anchors, and then cut to commercial.
Monae was on the show to give “Hell You Talmbout,” her label Wondaland Records’ latest single, its onstage debut. The song is a tribute to the many racially motivated violence attacks that have happened lately, and Monae wanted to explain the themes present in her new hit, Billboard reports, via MSN. However, she wasn’t given the chance.
“Yes Lord! God bless America! God bless all the lost lives to police brutality. We want white America to know that we stand tall today. We want black America to know we stand tall today. We will not be silenced…” Janelle said to the crowd before she was interrupted.
To further add insult to the singer, all of the musical segments from Friday’s episode were uploaded to the Today website. However, none of the clips of Janelle’s “Hell You Talmbout,” which is being hailed as a theme song for the Black Lives Matter movement, performance were visible.
dang @TODAYshow, just couldn’t let her finish, huh? love ya @JanelleMonae! #BlackLivesMatter cc: @deray @Nettaaaaaaaa pic.twitter.com/QeGhY5lQGJ
— marla york. (@theseMYtweetz) August 14, 2015
On Wednesday, August 12, Janelle shared the meaning behind her song on Instagram.
“This song is a vessel. It carries the unbearable anguish of millions,” she wrote. “We recorded it to channel the pain, fear, and trauma caused by the ongoing slaughter of our brothers and sisters. We recorded it to challenge the indifference, disregard, and negligence of all who remain quiet about this issue. Silence is our enemy. Sound is our weapon. They say a question lives forever until it gets the answer it deserves… Won’t you say their names?”
What do you think about Janelle Monae’s police brutality speech being cut from the Today show? Leave your comments below.
[Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images]
