INQUISITR.COM / Entertainment

Beyoncé Super Bowl Backlash: Is ‘Formation’ Anti Police? Former New York Mayor Responds

By Niki Cruz
Published on: 06:33 PST, Feb 8, 2016

Was Beyoncé’s Super Bowl performance an attack on police officers? That’s what some people are saying. During the Super Bowl, Beyoncé sang her new song, “Formation,” which she debuted ahead of the Super Bowl to some mixed reviews.

The Inquisitr reported about the controversy surrounding the video, as it was seen as anti-police. Some thought that Beyoncé’s performance was adding fuel to the fire. The performance featured backup dancers in clothing reminiscent of the Black Panther Party, which was formed in the 60s to challenge police brutality.

The video for “Formation,” which is set in New Orleans, features a clear message that states “stop shooting us,” which reiterates the message of grassroots group Black Lives Matter. The group started to rise up against the violence against African Americans at the hands of cops. Not everyone sees this group in a progressive light, but rather as rioters who are resistant towards voices of authority.

After Beyoncé’s portion of her performance, some took to Twitter to express their disgust. Some think that by singing “Formation,” which has a video featuring a very strong message, Beyoncé was promoting an anti-cop slogan in the middle of one of the most-watched televised events in the world.

There are others that don’t quite see it that way.

Former mayor of New York Rudy Giuliani was outraged by the halftime performance, and told Fox News that America deserves “decent wholesome entertainment.”

“I thought it was really outrageous that she used it as a platform to attack police officers who are the people who protect her and protect us, and keep us alive.” Giuliani went on to call the performance “ridiculous.” He then went on to back the law enforcement up to express his retaliation against Beyoncé’s performance.

“The vast majority of police officers risk their lives to keep us safe.” The former mayor said that by performing that song, it was Beyoncé’s own “political position” at the Super Bowl.

That said, it wasn’t just a bash session. The former mayor went on to offer his own advice for the African American community.

“What we should be doing in the African-American community, and all communities, is build up respect for police officers. You’re talking to middle America when you have the Super Bowl.”

He continued: “Let’s have, you know, decent wholesome entertainment, and not use it as a platform to attack the people who, you know, put their lives at risk to save us.”

To take it further, some have called for a boycott in response to the performance. One user wrote the following on Business Insider.

“As the wife of a police officer, I am offended by this entire video. Rise above and stay above the strife. For a girl who grew up in a privileged, wealthy family, she has no business pandering to those who didn’t.”

The New York Times gives a different perspective on “Formation” and its message.

” ‘Formation’ isn’t just about police brutality — it’s about the entirety of the black experience in America in 2016, which includes standards of beauty, (dis)empowerment, culture and the shared parts of our history.”

What do you think about Beyoncé’s Super Bowl performance?

[Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images]

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