Madonna sparks passionate debate with video of son dancing against racism after the death of George Floyd
Madonna’s son David dancing (Twitter)
Madonna has sparked a fierce debate after she shared a video of her son dancing to Michael Jackson’s “They Don’t Care About Us” as an anti-racism statement.
The singer shared the video following the harrowing death of George Floyd, a Black man who passed away after a white police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes in Minneapolis.
His killing has devastated Black communities, with police brutality and racism becoming driving forces behind a national discourse.
But Madonna’s contribution to the conversation has not been widely welcomed by everyone.
Madonna has been criticised for her tepid response to the killing of George Floyd.
She shared a video of her 14-year-old son David Banda, who is Black, on Instagram and Twitter in response to Floyd’s killing.
“As news of George Floyd’s brutal murder travels around the world my son David dances to honour and pay tribute to George and His Family and all Acts of Racism and Discrimination that happen on a daily basis in America,” she wrote.
In the three-and-a-half minute video, Madonna’s son David shows off his dance skills, apparently in protest against racism and police brutality.
I really appreciate you for allowing your son to dance away the racism for us.
The video has been widely panned on Twitter, with many Black critics arguing that it will do little to change attitudes or help stamp out racism in a country that is institutionally racist.
“Wow. Racism is gone. Thank you girl,” one Twitter user replied. That tweet has since been liked more than 27,000 times.
Another wrote: “I really appreciate you for allowing your son to dance away the racism for us.”
Activists are calling on the singer-songwriter to donate to good causes instead.
Meanwhile, Black author Frederick Joseph branded the video “trash” and urged her to donate to the Minnesota Freedom Fund.
This is trash, and deeply disrespectful.
If you want to actually do something to help combat racism and oppression, donate to the Minnesota Freedom Fund to help pay the bail of protestors in Minneapolis.https://t.co/D0yDUAhtdK
— Frederick Joseph (@FredTJoseph) May 29, 2020
So, everyone is having fun with this, but I think it needs to be elaborated on a bit. I know Madonna and her son were coming from a good place when this video was made. However, there are certain racists stereotypes about “blacks dancing for the man.” Continued.
— Black Lives Are Human Lives!! (@trinadanette25) May 29, 2020
There are many things you need to do and this wasn’t one of them.— machine gun Kele (@kelechnekoff) May 28, 2020
Conversely, Instagram commenters were generally much more receptive to the video. Madonna’s son’s performance has largely been met with praise on the platform.
Earlier, Madonna had shared two posts about Floyd’s killing, which she called the most “sickening, heartbreaking thing I’ve seen in a long time”.
The singer posted a 10 minute video of Floyd being pinned down by police, writing: “This Officer knew he was being filmed and murdered him with arrogance and Pride.
“This has to stop!! Until we can over come Racism in America— no one should be allowed to carry a gun. Most of all cops.”
She also shared a clip of Floyd talking about gun crime. Madonna is a vocal advocate for gun reform.
PinkNews has contacted Madonna’s representative for comment.
