Madonna Draws Backlash Over 'Disrespectful' George Floyd Tribute
By Paris Close
May 29, 2020
Madonna is catching heat for her “disrespectful” tribute following the death of George Floyd.
America has been in an uproar ever since disturbing video footage of a Minneapolis police officer kneeling down on a Black man’s neck as he died surfaced this week, inciting protests across the nation for.
In an effort to stand alongside those demanding justice for Floyd, the pop star took made the ill-fated decision to join the outcry by sharing a video clip of her son dancing to Michael Jackson’s “They Don’t Care About Us.”
Along with the video, Madonna wrote, “Brutal murder travels around the world my son David Dances to honor and pay tribute to George and His Family and all Acts of Racism and Discrimination that happen on a daily basis in America. #davidbanda #JusticeforGeorgeFloyd #MichaelJackson."
Brutal murder travels around the world my son David Dances to honor and pay tribute to George and His Family and all Acts of Racism and Discrimination that happen on a daily basis in America. #davidbanda #JusticeforGeorgeFloyd #MichaelJackson pic.twitter.com/wLa6YKrYF1
— Madonna (@Madonna) May 28, 2020
Despite her good intentions, social media users thought the “Vogue” star’s tribute to Floyd was “disrespectful” and ineffective, among other things.
“This is trash, and deeply disrespectful,” one critic said. “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 protesters in Minneapolis.”
“Thank you so much. I’m so glad he was able to stomp out racism with this deeply moving tribute. Y’all’s hard work and sacrifice to the cause...how can we ever repay you?” someone else wrote.
However, Madonna also had her defenders as well. Taking up for the star, one user argued: “A lot of replies from obvious miserable and unhappy people just looking for anything to criticize. Put in the decades of work Madonna has done for charity and activism then get back to me with your critiques.”
“Madonna’s been fighting the good fight for a long time,” another fan added. “Earlier this week she literally posted “f—k the police”. Weird to drag her for posting that video of her son dancing (the memes are good though).”
See the reactions below.
This is trash, and deeply disrespectful.
— Frederick Joseph (@FredTJoseph) May 29, 2020
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
Thank you so much. I’m so glad he was able to stomp out racism with this deeply moving tribute. Y’all’s hard work and sacrifice to the cause...how can we ever repay you?
— call gunna if you want you a birkin (@KiaSpeaks) May 28, 2020
Madonna’s been fighting the good fight for a long time. Earlier this week she literally posted “fuck the police”. Weird to drag her for posting that video of her son dancing (the memes are good though). pic.twitter.com/NPtIboIols
— Osman Faruqi (@oz_f) May 29, 2020
Nobody asked Madonna to weigh in today. Not a soul.
— April (@ReignOfApril) May 29, 2020
Unforced errors among public figures have been rampant this month. pic.twitter.com/DNOkNCG7at
A lot of replies from obvious miserable and unhappy people just looking for anything to criticize. Put in the decades of work Madonna has done for charity and activism then get back to me with your critiques.
— 🏳️🌈🇺🇸 🌊Greg Hatfield ✊#𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭✊ (@gregoryh325) May 29, 2020
The oppression and racism leaving us after Madonna told her son to dance pic.twitter.com/9k4A4GCahz
— Daddy Bronxiana 🏳️🌈🦋 (@TarotByBronx) May 29, 2020
“We need to do something about this injustice, boy get over here son” - Madonna pic.twitter.com/vUFweKJFBz
— #AbbasSTRONG (@Alyricz) May 28, 2020
#Madonna Twitter is such a vicious world. He's a kid. He wanted to do something expressive. Some of you are too young to know the lyrics to the Michael Jackson song. Listen to them. Whatever you think about his mom....he's a kid. Chill, Twitter.
— Professor Darren Hutchinson (@dissentingj) May 29, 2020
Photo: Getty Images