What’s going on everyone?
By now you may have heard about the NFL partnering with Jay-Z’s company Roc Nation. This partnership includes Roc Nation taking care of the NFL’s music and entertainment endeavors. It also includes Roc Nation advising on the selection of artists for the Super Bowl Halftime show.
Let me be clear, I do not agree with Jay-Z working with the NFL on this initiative, especially since Colin Kaepernick still hasn’t been signed by that same league. Eric Reid, Colin’s friend, agrees as well.
It’s telling that the NFL got Jay – one of the most influential artists and people in the Black community – to work on the halftime show. To be blunt, the NFL needs Jay to bring Black credibility to that infamous stage because of this petition.
When we demanded Maroon 5, Travis Scott, and Big Boi #TakeAKnee in solidarity with Kaepernick and his right to protest police brutality, we fundamentally changed what it means to play on that stage.
Although they ultimately did perform and they didn’t take a knee, I did say in the petition (and in a Billboard interview) that the Super Bowl stage will be tainted until they do right by Kaepernick. I believe several music artists agree as well, which is why the NFL went out of its way to get Jay-Z involved.
I strongly feel that was partly done due to the impact of this petition you signed. It’s YOU that did this.
I don’t know what happens next. I don’t know who will perform next year. I don’t know if I’ll create another petition asking the next artist to not perform until Kaepernick gets signed.
What I do know, however, is that if you feel a certain injustice going on, do something about it. Don’t remain silent. Maybe you can protest. Maybe you can create a petition as radical as this one, and get ‘arrows’ thrown your way in the name of justice. Maybe you can start your own company that’s a competitor which has morals. Maybe you can run for political office to change laws.
Whatever it is that you do, just don’t remain silent! Your voice can make an impact. This petition is proof!