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Does Beyoncé Deserve To Be Bashed For Positive Message To Dallas Police?

By Daryl Deino

From the archive: published Jul 9, 2016, 10 years ago. Details may have changed since.

A couple days ago, Beyoncé expressed her disappointment at law enforcement officials for the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. She had a very direct message on her website.

“We are sick and tired of the killings of young men and women in our communities. It is up to us that to take a stand and demand that they ‘stop killing us.’ We don’t need sympathy. We need everyone to respect our lives.”

Beyoncé went on to say that the African-American community is going to stand up and fight against anyone who believes that murder or any violent action by those who are sworn to protect them should consistently go unpunished. Bey was praised by many, but also criticized. Breitbart reacted to Beyoncé’s message in a very negative way.

“In the wake of the horrific murders of the five police officers shot and killed at a Black Lives Matter protest in Dallas Thursday night, it is worth examining one of the anti-police movement’s most affluent and influential supporters: pop superstar Beyoncé.”

Beyoncé is seen as part of the problem by some people.
The article explained that Beyoncé not only supported Michael Brown in Ferguson, but that she has also recently posted “hands-up-don’t-shoot” pictures supporting the false narrative that Michael Brown was shot while surrendering with his hands up.

On Saturday morning, Beyoncé wrote a message in tribute of the five Dallas police officers killed in the line of duty Thursday night.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BHoCygChuFj/?taken-by=beyonce&hl=en

However, as well intended as Beyoncé was, many took to social media and article comments sections in order to condemn her. Some of the comments after an article on Entertainment Weekly about Beyoncé’s message were particularly brutal.

Beyoncé’s well-intentioned response was still criticized.
“Hey Bey, remember that time when you showed up with back-up dancers dressed as the violent and racist group, The Black Panthers and sang all about how cops suck and don’t deserve respect? Remember how most of the US was watching and how you were loved and respected by so many people? I’m sure that didn’t fan these flames at all,” sarcastically mentioned @OliveAirBaloon617.

“I wonder who wrote that for her though. She’s illiterate,” said @GreenCone

Then, there is Twitter.

However, there were some who also appreciated Beyoncé’s message.

https://twitter.com/nochanceofrain/status/751942698869948416

While some people may want to call Beyoncé a hypocrite, her message should be welcomed. After all, many who condemned Beyoncé for her perceived anti-police message on her website asked her why she hadn’t posted any message in support for the police who died protecting #BlackLivesMatter protesters. Well, she did and it appears she did it with sincerity. Whether or not one thinks Beyoncé’s message to the Dallas police was just damage control, the message reached a lot of people.

Many have accused Beyoncé of jumping on the #BlackLivesMatter movement as an act of branding and marketing. Some were really upset that Beyoncé paid homage to the Black Panthers at the Super Bowl earlier this year. They accused her of disrespecting police officers. However, according to Us Weekly , Beyoncé clearly stated that she respects police officers, but doesn’t agree with the actions of the few. She clearly said that her song, performance, and video for “Formation”are not anti-police. Beyoncé thinks she is being simply misunderstood.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o2zesSETCY

Whether or not you agree with Beyoncé, she is currently the most influential pop star in America and, possibly, the rest of the world. It’s so easy to say that Bey is all about marketing, all about PR, and all about making herself look good. However, perhaps people really need to start giving Beyoncé the benefit of the doubt.

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