Entertainers address social injustice issues at Super Bowl

ATLANTA (AP):

Some entertainers believe that social injustice needs to be addressed during the Super Bowl and are ensuring that the topic that ignited a political firestorm, engulfing the NFL, will be in the spotlight.

Some will perform in Super Bowl-related events while others will be noticeably absent. Former NFL player Colin Kaepernick helped start a wave of protests by kneeling during the national anthem to raise awareness to police brutality, racial inequality, and other social issues.

Jermaine Dupri said he was called a “sellout” for hosting a Super Bowl-related event during a meeting with persons who had lost family members as a result of police brutality.

After the meeting, Dupri and the victims’ family members came to a compromise. The music mogul plans to give mothers a platform to speak onstage during his Super Bowl Live event in Atlanta. He hopes to bridge the gap between speaking out against social injustice and accommodating the NFL during his five-night concert series.

boycott

Some of the families were looking to boycott the Super Bowl, and initially, Dupri’s event in the city that many consider the birthplace of civil rights. “I met with the families and parents who have been killed and murdered by police officers here,” the 46-year-old longtime Atlanta resident said. “I plan on having them come to my Super Bowl Live event and speak to the crowd and tell their story about police brutality in the city and let people understand that I’m supporting them as much as possible.”

The Super Bowl is one of the world’s biggest sporting events. But some are looking to boycott the big game after the half-time show has been the topic of a heated debate since Kaepernick, who has not been signed by an NFL team, said he would not stand for the national anthem in protest of racial discrimination against blacks in the United States.

Some, including Rihanna and Pink, have reportedly turned down offers to perform during this year’s half-time. Jay-Z alluded to his feelings in a recent song that he declined to perform at the Super Bowl, and Amy Schumer refused to appear in a TV ad during the game.

Cardi B said she won’t take the Super Bowl half-time stage until Kaepernick gets a job.

half-time performance

Maroon 5 will be joined by Atlanta-based rapper Big Boi and Travis Scott during the half-time performance. Gladys Knight will sing the national anthem.

Scott has fallen under widespread scrutiny for his upcoming Super Bowl appearance. The rapper agreed to participate in the half-time show if the NFL made a joint donation to an organisation fighting for social justice. The NFL and Scott gave $500,000 to the Van Jones’ Dream Corps, which works on criminal justice reform and expands opportunities for diversity in technology, environmental issues, and education. But despite his charitable efforts, Scott fell in the social media cross-hairs with the Reverent Al Sharpton and rappers Common and Meek Mill.

Dupri, though, called Scott’s initiative with the NFL a “forward movement”.

“If he did something to bring attention to police brutality or injustice, I think that’s a step forward in the fight that everybody seems to want to talk about,” he said.

Dupri said he supports Kaepernick’s efforts but wants to provide a major platform for Atlanta music artistes to perform in front of thousands. “If we were to completely turn our head to what’s happening Super Bowl weekend and have nothing to do with it and stand with Kaepernick and completely boycott, what about our love and our craft that we care so much about?” Dupri said. “It’s a rough situation because you want to support both sides.”

Dupri knows he can’t please everyone. Even some of the family members of police brutality victims were hesitant to participate with him this week. “I want to bring awareness to the situation and let people to know that we’re not out here partying and not caring about their situation,” he said.