Part Three Assignment: Reflect on Academic Article about Beyonce or Formation
In the article “Pop Culture Without Culture: Examining the Public Backlash to
Beyonce’s Super Bowl 50 Performance”, Marquita Gammage provides a detailed examination of
people’s reaction to Beyonce’s celebration of Black culture, arguing that it was an anti-American
act of terrorism. Marquita shows that for black artists to succeed in pop culture and mainstream
media, they must shed their black culture, conform to white culture and refrain from publicly
speaking about black issues. The article focuses on the marginalization of black musicians which
prevents many famous black people from expressing black concerns on big stages such as the
Super Bowl.
In the article, Marquita states that “As a result, to acquire and sustain popular cultural
success, Black prominent musicians are pushed to abandon their cultural heritage” (Gammage
720). This quote provides strong support for the argument that black artists are only accepted if
they do not discuss issues of black culture and celebrate white culture. The quote explains why
Beyonce was condemned for celebrating Black culture and singing about black issues in her
performance. Some of the critics called her anti-American and reinforcing radicalism due to her
passion for expressing racial discrimination affecting the black community. Marquita argues that
many famous black artists experience the same backlash when they appreciate black traditions in
mainstream media and are accused of being radicals.
I completely agree with the argument made in the article. I believe black artists are forced
to tone down their black culture and embody the white culture and values to be accepted and
celebrated in the mainstream media. Structural and institutional racism is to blame for the
continued aggression and harassment in Black populations. In the video Formation, the images
of the black boy in a hoodie dancing in front of the policies show the need for unity between the
In the article “Pop Culture Without Culture: Examining the Public Backlash to
Beyonce’s Super Bowl 50 Performance”, Marquita Gammage provides a detailed examination of
people’s reaction to Beyonce’s celebration of Black culture, arguing that it was an anti-American
act of terrorism. Marquita shows that for black artists to succeed in pop culture and mainstream
media, they must shed their black culture, conform to white culture and refrain from publicly
speaking about black issues. The article focuses on the marginalization of black musicians which
prevents many famous black people from expressing black concerns on big stages such as the
Super Bowl.
In the article, Marquita states that “As a result, to acquire and sustain popular cultural
success, Black prominent musicians are pushed to abandon their cultural heritage” (Gammage
720). This quote provides strong support for the argument that black artists are only accepted if
they do not discuss issues of black culture and celebrate white culture. The quote explains why
Beyonce was condemned for celebrating Black culture and singing about black issues in her
performance. Some of the critics called her anti-American and reinforcing radicalism due to her
passion for expressing racial discrimination affecting the black community. Marquita argues that
many famous black artists experience the same backlash when they appreciate black traditions in
mainstream media and are accused of being radicals.
I completely agree with the argument made in the article. I believe black artists are forced
to tone down their black culture and embody the white culture and values to be accepted and
celebrated in the mainstream media. Structural and institutional racism is to blame for the
continued aggression and harassment in Black populations. In the video Formation, the images
of the black boy in a hoodie dancing in front of the policies show the need for unity between the
