[Op Ed] Madonna Is Part of My Black History

The 'Material Girl' didn't disappoint during the super bowl but for reasons unrelated to music

^{The views expressed in this Op-Ed do not reflect that of Loop 21.}

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Not since the likes of Michael Jackson (Super Bowl XXVII) or Prince (Super Bowl XLI) has Black America waited with bated breath for a Halftime Show. Nope, not even Janet Jackson’s turn at bat was given “sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat” status in black households. In fact, I recall many of my friends saying that they missed the nip slip because they were doing something else. Last year’s performance with Black Eyed Peas and Usher was cool but nothing worth writing home about.

Now, Madonna.

For some reason, the "Material Girl Grown Ass Woman" has a place in our hearts, regardless of if you want to admit it or not. Last night’s Super Bowl performance showed why. Madonna appreciates black artists. She isn’t afraid to acknowledge their influence on her. Remember her cornrow phase?

Madge has worked with Kanye West and Pharrell, Babyface, Timbaland and Lenny Kravitz. Last night she brought out Cee Lo, Nicki Minaj and LMFAO. She also Vogued like her life depended on it. For those that don’t know, Voguing is an artistic style of dance first created by black and Hispanic gay men in NYC. Madonna might as well have been break dancing on that stage. All of it is part of the Black American Art Diaspora. I, for one, am checking it off as a win in the “Us” column.

Madonna shared the spotlight with black artists at the biggest sporting event in America during Black History Month. This is a moment that many won’t see the gravity of. Let’s put it in perspective.