This Week's Opening Thought: February 19, 2024 — The Official Website of Pharoah Bolding

This week's opening thought: Me watching people of pallor get enraged over Beyonce making country music:

Who wants to tell 'em who they can thank for country music even existing? Does anybody wanna tell 'em how country music rhythms, structures, instrumentation, and storytelling are all rooted in African hymnals and folktales? Please, somebody, tell 'em so I can watch them stimmer, stammer, get overwhelmed, and explode like a Power Rangers monster! 😂

I swear people of pallor seem to adore claiming ownership of things they didn't create but decided were theirs to own, only to get indignant when those who created their new "property" choose to update the leasing agreement.

It's hilarious to me that most of y'all can't get your head around how many of the things you love and claim ownership over only exist because of Black, Brown, Indigenous, and melanated communities. That includes the music you believe is the "voice of your people." Five minutes ago, Beyonce was your "spirit animal" (put a pin in that, 'cause we're gonna talk about that soon). As soon as she announced she was making country music? All your mediocre insecurities came pouring out because you know deep down in your loins that she's about to show y'all how it's done, and your fragility can't take it. Suddenly, millions of people of pallor are country music experts! Would you look at that? How precious! 🤣 That Black ownership got y'all armchair quarterbackin'! But the problem with armchair quarterbackin' is that you often know little to nothing of what you act like you're an expert on. This is another one of those moments.

I'll add it to y'all's tab.

This visible lack of education rooted in racism on y'all's part isn't always laughable, so when it is, I allow myself a nice, hearty chuckle.

I might even allow myself a dosey-doe, too.

Do better.

[Video description: an clip of the late comedian Charlie Murphy bursting into a fit of hysterical laughter. Other Black men are nearby, joining in on the hilarious outburst.]