February 9, 2015 ‐ By Veronica Wells
The announcement was odd and the backlash was swift. For all those who “hate” Beyoncé, this was finally a legit reason to throw stones. And for those who love her, a source of disappointment. Personally, I belong to the latter group. And I still don’t understand it. So when I saw that Beyoncé released an 8 minute video explaining her choice to perform the song, I thought it might shed a bit more light on her decision.
In case you didn’t hear her bestie Gwyneth Paltrow last night, Mama Tina first sang the song to Beyoncé when she was a child and then played Mahalia Jackson’s version for her.
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And in today’s times, with all the violence directed toward Black men and boys by law enforcement, it was important that Beyoncé, as she puts it, showcase “the vulnerability and the strength of Black men.”
She also shared why the performance was important to her personally.
“My grandparents marched with Dr. King. My father was a part of the first generation of Black men that attended an all-White school. My father has grown up with a lot of trauma from those experiences. I feel like now I can sing for his pain. I can sing for my grandparents’ pain. I can sing for some of the families that have lost their sons.”
You can watch the full 8 minute video below.
