Beyoncé Responds to Accusations Her Super Bowl Performance Was ‘Anti-Police’

Remember how Beyoncé caused a commotion earlier this year with her new music video and Super Bowl performance? Well, Queen Bey finally broke her silence on the matter, and she says her detractors got her message all wrong.

Beyoncé has taken flak since February from media pundits, political figures, and others who say that her allusions to the Black Panthers and #BlackLivesMatter were part of an anti-police statement. The pop star gave a wide-ranging interview to Elle, where she emphasized the difference between being anti-police and being anti-police brutality.

“Anyone who perceives my message as anti-police is completely mistaken,” Beyonce said. “I have so much admiration and respect for officers and the families of 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.”

Beyoncé went on to say that her performances were part of her salute to African-American history and its various cultural aspects. She also explained that a major goal of her Formation tour was to express her brand of feminism and promote gender and racial equality.

“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,” the singer said. “I’m proud of what we created and I’m proud to be a part of a conversation that is pushing things forward in a positive way.”

[h/t Time]
[Image via screengrab]

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