So Beyonce has been upsetting White America as of late. Before I get into this fuckery I’ll have to say, I haven’t heard or been able to see Lemonade. Looks like that shit isn’t available on Google Play which is a bigger issue for me than Beyonce’s “new found” blackness.

There are several different ways I can take this blog and I’m just going to let it flow, hopefully it makes sense to people who are unfamiliar with the culture and or topic because I worry that it may not. I’d like to let White America in on a little secret.. we tend to act differently when you.. um well.. aren’t around.

Shocking right?

When we are in your group where the majority is made up of White people we might watch how we speak, the topics we discuss, and how much of ourselves to show you. Why do we do this why might ask? Well, it’s simple. It’s because no matter where we go, we carry the mantle of blackness. While in a group of Whites if we are too loud, use too much slang, or make comments about things that concern us in the field of race and politics it doesn’t usually go very well.

So we just don’t.

A great example of this would be Beyonce. For years she played the game without bringing about the issues that plagued America’s racial climate. She was the kind of artist that White American could love and appreciate. She entertained you, she danced, smiled, all without rocking the boat.

Well, that was until recently.

Piers Morgan wrote an article about this new version of Beyonce which has angered many in the Black community. In the article he spoke about how he loved her music and complementing her immense talent. He refers to a previous conversation that they had five years prior then ends the article with the following.

Beyonce then was unrecognizable from the militant activist we see now. Then, she was at pains to be seen as an entertainer and musician and not as a black woman who sings.

Now, it seems to be the complete opposite.

The New Beyonce wants to be seen as a black woman political activist first and foremost, entertainer, and musician second.

I still think she’s a wonderful singer and performer, and some of the music on Lemonade is fantastic.

But I have to be honest, I preferred the old Beyonce.

The less inflammatory, agitating one.

I’ll say this, I don’t think that Piers intended this to sound the way it’s been taken. He’s argued against police brutality against minorities on several occasions but the language in the piece bothers me because it makes us feel like we are only valued for your entertainment value.

As long as we are smiling and dancing for America we’re valued but the minute we open our mouths with our truths people start getting fuckin uncomfortable. An athlete or entertainer isn’t here just for your entertainment. They aren’t here just to make you feel good about yourselves. They also have a responsibility to the communities that in essence elected them to be our voices.

This isn’t a new Beyonce. This is the Beyonce that we don’t share with you when we are at work. This is the Beyonce that’s at home in pain over the news of yet another police shooting. This is the Beyonce that’s tired of masking and muzzling herself in order to not rock the boat.

Makes you uncomfortable doesn’t it?