Did you notice the empowering hidden metaphor behind Rihanna’s explosive Tremendous Bowl halftime show_
As a sports activities fan, I like that the Tremendous Bowl has now attracted a worldwide viewers and it has change into the right platform for performers to talk on issues that actually matter. After all they get invited to carry out, not converse, so symbolism is the way in which to do it. Take Shakira and JLo’s 2020 half-time efficiency, for example. The singers wished to boost consciousness round Trump’s inhumane immigration coverage of separating households within the U.S.-Mexico border. How about Beyonce’s explosive 2016 efficiency that paid homage to Malcolm X and the Black Panthers, with daring references to the Black Lives Matter motion again in 2016.
For this efficiency ,what grabbed my consideration (beside the very fact I couldn’t cease taking a look at that peeping bump) was the glass ceiling. Rihanna stood proper above one, and he or she is the epitome of somebody who’s not solely shattered the glass ceiling, however somebody who’s most likely by no means seen one in her life. By that, I imply she has persevered past measure to push up in opposition to an trade and society riddled with misogyny and unbalanced illustration. The glass ceiling has been there all alongside, however she has been too busy making an attempt to succeed, so she most likely hasn’t even seen it.
Name this a love letter to our Navy chief, however Rihanna actually is an icon of empowerment. Suspended 60 ft above the bottom on an edgeless, wobbly, glass platform, whereas carrying her unborn youngster and bussing some smol-smol strikes isn’t for the faint hearted (Beyonce is aware of all about that). However what that efficiency taught me is that Rihanna isn’t one to be undermined.
In any case, Rihanna has been breaking glass ceilings from the get-go, ever since ‘Pon De Replay’ dominated the primary spot within the charts again in 05′. She’s come a good distance from being a younger Black lady from a small Bajan island with humble beginnings, to billionaire standing, proprietor of a magnificence empire that’s disrupted your complete trade from its first 40-shade basis launch, and he or she’s additionally the captain of a lingerie line that’s actually for the folks.
And let’s not neglect, Rihanna has lengthy used her platforms (glass or in any other case) to lend her voice and advocate for essential causes. She’s been a vocal advocate for schooling, and her philanthropic work has helped to enhance entry to schooling for kids in creating nations. She has been a robust supporter of reproductive rights and has used her platform to boost consciousness in regards to the want for entry to protected and reasonably priced reproductive well being care. Past her entrepreneurial and philanthropic ventures, maybe her proudest accomplishments of all, may be changing into a mum (of two quickly). I’m not saying she’s superhuman, and unflawed past measure, I’m simply saying, that’s so much…
One factor about our never-seen-a-glass-ceiling queen is that with all her success she doesn’t miss a beat, even all the way down to her outfits. The half-time present is now not simply an opp to flock round in lovely robes and bop to pop music (though we love that half). It’s a chance to actually say one thing that resonates with folks. We all know RiRi to be intentional in regards to the strikes she makes, and for her first hit again on the planet of performing (and sadly, doubtlessly her final for some time, as she’s due on mat depart quickly) she selected to go boss mode, girl in cost, all eyes on me.
