How one speech exemplifies how we can use the celebration of our differences to better understand each other and ourselves.
Just as soon as I thought it would be too late to post the draft that I squeaked out the day after the 2017 Grammy Award show, I read Myles Johnson’s piece on what Beyonce did win. And then came this statement that Beyonce didn’t win because she’s not a “singer-singer.” After reading both, I knew that there are still many people in the world who just don’t get it.
So, as a nod to Adele reminding us to do things right or not doing them at all, below is a step-by-step analysis of why Adele’s reluctant win of the Grammy’s top awards and her comments that followed are so important.
It’s time to add yet another award to Adele’s mantel. In more ways than one, at the 2017 Grammy’s, Adele showed us what it looks like to do things the right way. She showed us what it means to demand professionalism and give credit where credit is due.
In my book, Adele wins the Awareness Award. This award is given to those who understand and support other people’s proud recognition of their own struggles and transcendent power in the face of marginalization. Congratulations Adele!
Now, let’s break this down.
Facts (since some people are trying to exterminate them):
- Adele and Beyonce were both nominated for album, song and record of the year; the top awards of the Recording Academy.
- Adele won all three top awards.
- Adele cried after winning Album of the Year because she voted for Beyonce.
- Adele adores Beyonce. She has said in many interviews over many years that she loves everything about Beyonce’s work. Cool, you’re a fan.
- Adele is a young white British woman who (unbeknownst to the public) struggled to find herself in the years after becoming a mother. Adele said that Beyonce’s Lemonade album helped her regain control of her identity as a woman and a mother. That’s the wonderful power of music!
- Adele recognized that Beyonce was bravely poetic in how she opened her life to the world to showcase a beautiful evolution from pain to hate to power. She highlighted the fact that a very seasoned but private artist took a risk by baring her soul to the world. Yay! You understood Beyonce’s vulnerability!!
- Adele also recognized the impact of Beyonce’s artistry on the lives of her Black friends. The fact that she saw the empowerment of her “black friends” when they listened to the Lemonade album is what many people (especially some white Feminists) fail to see when women of color speak to each other in any form of art. Adele seemed to completely understand that Beyonce was uplifting women of color while also exalting the amazing strength of Black femininity which is often set aside in the discussion of femininity as a whole. The fact that Adele recognized this and was also empowered to find herself makes her keenly aware of the fact that the empowerment of marginalized women is the empowerment of all women. Now you’ve gotten on the awareness train. This is awareness personified!!!!
Adele called to the forefront the idea that Black women can be empowered by another Black woman without ridiculing or belittling White women at the same time. Her statement is the perfect example of what many women’s rights activists of color have been trying to explain to White feminists for decades. You may think this is obvious but I’m compelled to say it: When Black women praise each other’s accomplishments, and rejoice in our beauty and intellect, we are not bashing the same phenomenal traits in White women.
If you think that Beyonce shouldn’t be overtly African or ethnic in her artistry, you need to check yourself. The fact that you can’t relate to or feel left out of the conversation…is probably intentional. Not in a disparaging way but in a non-directional way. Meaning, Beyonce and many artists of color are speaking from their perspective, highlighting their truth, praising the community from which they come. You’re not meant to understand every metaphor. But you are highly welcomed to learn the meaning behind them and the importance of intracultural dialogue after long and continuous periods of marginalization.
Heck, I’m not of Yoruba descent (at least I don’t think so…damn you slavery!), but I’m not asking, “Why doesn’t Beyonce just stick to talking about her Louisiana and Texas roots?” I relate to those roots having been born in Texas and grown up in New Orleans. I could say “why does she need to put all this African imagery into her work”. But saying that would mean that I’m not listening. And if I’m not listening, I’m not learning.
I took the visual treatments of the #Lemonade album as an opportunity to learn about a culture that is important to an artist I like and to which I might have a relation. But most importantly, I was able to respect the celebration of a heritage of other people without understanding its nuances.
Why don’t you do the same? Why is this situation different from any other time a person finds joy and beauty in self-exploration and learning about their heritage? On any other occasion, American society let’s people celebrate their cultural and religious heritage. We do it every time we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo and Mardi Gras — all holidays that American society loves. Why can’t we do the same thing here?
In the end please, oh please, don’t make this moment between two amazing artists about you or how your feelings weren’t included in the imagery that Beyonce created and many women of color appreciated. Just relax, relate, release… Try to expand your mind beyond what you think you know about other cultures. Try to become aware of what you don’t know and what you can learn.
And if you can’t do any of these things, just be quiet.
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As a consultant, facilitator, and writer, my goal is to help people become more aware of themselves and how they relate to others. Check out more of my thoughts on awareness, intersectionality, and personal growth by following me on my website: NiaJackson.com