We cannot ignore and put down the prophetic words that are censored, and then turn around and dismiss the need for reform when “asked nicely.” Words have power and it seems one or two words, either in a sacramental rite or unsaid in a halftime show, have power until we decide they’re not enough. Dre included the “still not loving police” line in his song, “Still D.R.E.” Props to him for going against the request and naming his truth despite censorship. This was intentional, I’m sure, as censorship boards are concerned about comments on lyrics about police brutality in this “climate,” by which I mean, sensitivity to pushback on systems historically unjust to the Black community. While singing along, I noticed Lamar censored the line about the police but left the next line: “Wanna kill us dead in the street for sure, / I’m at the preacher’s door.” Songs that many called vulgar without pausing to consider their prophetic message. Mouthing the words took me back to the prayer meeting, a time of deep grief now held alongside a moment of singing and dancing to songs filled with sobering truths and Black joy. He began with “Alright” – the song from which the refrain we “gon’ be alright” comes. When Kendrick Lamar appeared on the field, it was no different. Perhaps you’re like me, a first wave millennial who is still processing the fact that music from high school is now considered a throwback.Īs I sipped my gin and juice cocktail during the halftime show, mouthing words to songs I burned onto CDs and recorded straight from the radio onto cassette tapes, I screamed like a youth at a Beatles concert each time a new artist appeared on stage. Older generations might have called it a loss of true American culture or a vulgar display of reverse racism, while Gen Xers yet again tried co-opting an entire genre of music, claiming the performance was for them and them alone. If you are online at all, you might have noticed a litany of takes on the Super Bowl 56 halftime show. It is easy to read this story and pass judgment, but it is also a sobering reminder of the power words have – and their restrictions. Sure, a small few might have noticed, but did the sentiment change merely because a word or two was left out or swapped? This story reminded me of how many times I jumbled the words of institution or blessing. As a result, thousands of baptisms are now invalid in the eyes of the Catholic church because of his one-word error the priest had been saying, “we baptize you” rather than, “I baptize you.” 1 after learning he misspoke the words of baptism. This work is never-ending, which is all the more reason to reach for a more hope-filled world.Ī Catholic priest in Arizona resigned on Feb. Wanting to move to action now but being told to hold on just a minute and asked to understand why those actions needed to be rooted in antiracism. The next five years was an education in justice work and how even the most well-intentioned allies and organizations had to face and work through their roots of white supremacy before doing this work and doing it well. And to be in community means unlearning the individualism of the white American culture. The work – whatever it looks like in the coming days, weeks, months and years – has to be in community. I found God in the prophetic lyrics of Kendrick Lamar and continue to over five years later.ĭuBois’ words were a reminder that it has to be “we” in order to be alright. The operative word in the refrain being “we.” People of faith mobilizing in record numbers in response to hate? We gon’ be alright. With every lament, he named where he saw hope – more women and progressives winning in local elections? We gon’ be alright. He used the refrain from a Kendrick Lamar song “Alright,” reminding us that we were “gon’ be alright.” I cannot remember a word of my prayer, or the other prayers said that evening, save for the one offered by Joshua DuBois.
We gathered for the purpose of naming both our grief and some semblance of hope that we could see in the uncertainty of the next four years.Įach pastor on the call took turns praying. The day after the 2016 election I attended a prayer meeting via phone conference call.
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