Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance at the Super Bowl on 9 February set the Internet ablaze. The Pulitzer-winning hip-hop maestro brought along an all-Black dance crew. But not everyone was doing the happy dance.
US-based political analyst Dominic Michael Tripi took to X to express his dismay over the absence of white dancers, and his tweet has been viewed by over 17-million people.
Some are linking his gripe to US President Donald Trump’s attacks on DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) policies, saying that Lamar’s dancers were selected on merit—because who needs diversity when you can have a meritocracy, right?
Kendrick’s performance was packed with symbolism, featuring A-list actor Samuel L Jackson dressed up as Uncle Sam, a kind of mascot of patriotic white people, representing the US government and the days of slavery. As the show’s master of ceremonies, Jackson took a moment to highlight the struggles of Black people, humorously asking Lamar to ease up on the ‘ghetto’ vibes before the rapper launched into his hit, ‘Not Like Us.’
Let’s not forget, Black people in the US have a tragic history filled with violent displacement, slavery and exploitation stretching back 400 years, not to mention modern-day police brutality against people of colour. In 2024, 28 per cent of those killed by police were Black, despite the community representing only 13 per cent of the population.
February is Black History Month, chosen because it’s the birthday month of civil-rights legend Frederick Douglass. So, let’s celebrate, but please, without any drama over dance lineups!
Sources:
https://www.theroot.com/imagery-symbolism-and-backstory-you-missed-from-kendri-1851759118
https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2025-halftime-show-review-1dc2bce615ebfba0c8af0ea7c3ce4b9d
https://www.newsweek.com/kendrick-lamar-symbolic-message-super-bowl-halftime-show-2028856
https://mappingpoliceviolence.us/
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/01/national-black-history-month-2025/