Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show: Turn Up For What?

(AP Photo: This combination of photos shows, from left, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, Eminem and Dr, Dre.)

Ok. It’s over. Los Angeles won and what was touted as ,"The greatest Super Bowl Halftime Show ever" has come and gone. I learned from a great University Professor, Author, Media Expert and Truthteller who believes in equality, equity and liberation to inventory my actions by asking this important question; How does it free us?
Sure a show that could’ve cost $11-13 million to produce and was seen by 103.4 million people is great. But how does it free us?
Youtube videos of this entertaining show have registered over a billion views. But how does it free us?

(Pic: Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent rear, Mary J. Blige front, and Snoop Dogg perform during the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on Feb. 13, 2022. Credit:Getty Images)

Dre & Snoop’s performances reminded me of my first time at the El Rey and Catch One introducing me to Dr. Dre’s best productions of West Coast rap, inviting me into the spell of that spirit-filling sound and the message of it’s people. Prior to hearing them in LA’s hottest venues I was not a fan yet in LA I found myself mesmerized and converted. But how does it free us?

(Pic:Mary J. Blige Credit:John G.Mabanglo-EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

I reveled in pride watching Mary J. Blige dressed to the nines, giving the world exactly what they asked for. I smiled with joy when she showcased her signature choreography. I felt the hope millions of her fans feel about her journey to one of the pinnacles of any entertainer’s legacy.

(Pic: Mary J. Blige Credit:Getty Images)

I relished in the pride much like those of us from Yonkers, New York who know about and survived the Schlobaum, Mulford Gardens, School Street and Cottage Garden Housing Projects, the steepest hills of a politically ravaged and intense racially divided city located directly north of New York City’s borough The Bronx. My heart celebrates the little girl who made a keraoke recording establishing the ordained steps of God’s creation of a mega superstar, noticing the hope we felt for "Mary" on her miracle filled journey. But how does it free us?

(Pic:Eminem Credit: Kevin C. Cox Getty Images)

I watched the always illusive Eminem remind us why millions enjoyed his brand of "white chocolate" that allowed one man to dominate Billboard pop an rap/hip hop charts and radio stations everywhere. The man who opened to door for a greater inclusion of hip hop artist across the globe. I watched him kneel the same way he did when appearing on the BET Awards and was no less entertained and in agreement of its symbolism. But how does it free us?

I learned show producers recieve a mere $1 million production budget, listened to media and artists commenting on the business and financial impact of what one Superbowl performance translates to in dollars justifying their acceptance of this gratis assignment. But how does it free us?

(Picture:Kendrick Lamar. Credit: Getty Images)

I watched Kendrick Lamar’s always inspiring delivery of the music giving new generations options to deal with the asppirations, frustrations and complications of living in a world that does not honor or respect you. As you watch your life regardless of your economic status through the lives and deaths of Breanna Taylor, George Floyd, Treyvon Martin, Walter Scott and a painful multitude of people of color.

(Pic Roger Goddell NFL President Credit: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

I watched the CEO of the NFL vaguely discuss his commitment to diversity well aware of the avalance of criticism of Colin Kaepernick’s well thought out decision to kneel during the National Anthem in protest of police misconduct and brutality. I saw the actions and responses through NFL team policies one by one echoing the disappproval of those who would dare consider joining Kap. I saw the reactions and heard the comments of Black players, some running fast as possible from past knowlege, present awareness and personal experience of any expression of of the Black struggle and the decision to rally in protest at work. Players enjoying silently voting Republican to maintain their individual and family financial wealth. I will never forget the same person many of those players voted for becoming the 45th President insulting their mothers by calling them, "sons of bitches". I remember their silence. I remember finding out Black players who filed damage claims from work rlated concussions were evaluated differently than their white counterparts (referred to as “race-norming”). The term assumes Black players started out with lower congitive functions (hello 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th century). I remembered the number one. The number signnfying the number of Black head coaches and team Presidents in the present diversity prioritized NFL. I remember the Rooney rule established in 2003 resulting in a record high 8 coaches in 2013 and 2017 becoming a source of pride for the 101 year old orgaization that generaated over $12 billion in 2020 revenue (let’s not forget that was the year a global pandemic occurred resulting in business, school, pulic venues and municipal shutdowns devastating everyone’s revenue projections). To this day 13 teams have never had a Black head coach while 58.5% of the league’s players are Black. Lastly the documented eperience of former Head Coach Brian Flores' allegation that one day before his interview he accidentally learned from a team executive the team already hired it’s Head Coach yet no one informed Mr. Flores. None of these actions or viewing the "most watched Halftime show ever" free us. At what price do we want freedom? What are we willing to give up to stand in solidarity for collective power? I cannot answer that question for you or those who claim to be against every form of racism. I just ask myself in review of my personal actions and plans, "How does it free us"? Thank you Professor.