Beyoncé Rejects "Formation" Criticism: "Anyone Who Perceives My Message as Anti-Police Is Completely Mistaken"

At this year’s Super Bowl, Beyoncé performed her then-newly released single, “Formation.” She and her dancers wore outfits paying homage to the Black Panthers, which drew assorted criticism from police unions and supporters who accused her of promoting an anti-police agenda. (The video for “Formation” also featured Beyoncé standing on top of a sinking cop car, and graffiti reading “stop shooting us.”) In a new interview with ELLE, Beyoncé addressed the criticism, and rejected the charges that she’s anti-police. “I mean, I’m an artist and I think the most powerful art is usually misunderstood,” she said. “But anyone who perceives my message as anti-police is completely mistaken. I have so much admiration and respect for officers and the families of the officers who sacrifice themselves to keep us safe. But let’s be clear: I am against police brutality and injustice. Those are two separate things. If celebrating my roots and culture during Black History Month made anyone uncomfortable, those feelings were there long before a video and long before me. I’m proud of what we created and I’m proud to be part of a conversation that is pushing things forward in a positive way.” Read the full interview here. 

Beyoncé will soon head out on the Formation World Tour. Revisit the video below. 

Read “A History of Police Boycotting Musicians in America” on the Pitch. 

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