Wednesday 11 May 2016

Dance To The Big Big Beat, Dance To The Big Big Beat (Why I'm Not Giving Up On Azealia Banks)

Please note- due to the overwhelming response to this post I am unable to post any more of the comments left before today (15/05/16)- even after the comments I have already deleted there are over 50 comments still awaiting moderation and although I know that many of them are thoughtful comments and critiques, I am unwilling to filter out all the racism that has been sent to get to them. Sorry if you wrote a decent comment! 

**There is some racial language used in this piece that some readers may find upsetting.**

I don't usually write pieces like this here, I guess this blog is fairly light-hearted in that sense, possibly to a fault. But the events of the last two days have had me thinking far too much to not write this piece. You'll have to excuse my writing style, I know it's not the easiest to read.

As i'm sure most of you are aware, Azealia Banks went on another one of her Twitter tirades last night. This time against ex- One Direction heartthrob turned solo artist Zayn Malik. The beef started with Azealia pointing out the apparent similarities between his new music video and one of her own music videos. She received some nasty and racist abuse from Zayn fans, as we've come to expect from his hardcore, mostly young, 1D fandom. Then Zayn responded with his own tweets (which he later denied being directed at Azealia at all what is the truth?!?!?)and what followed was an unexpected racist tirade from Banks using many homophobic and racist slurs. I'm not gonna write what she said here, i'm assuming if you have access to this post, you also have access to Google, but it was pure bile.

Now I know that in recent years Azealia has become more well known for her Twitter rants than for her songs (which is a shame because a lot of them are absolute bangers), but why aren't we talking about this woman's mental health? I'm no expert on Azealia Banks and i'm certainly not a mental health expert either, but it seems clear that she needs help. And soon. I can only assume that the Angry Black Woman trope that has plagued Azealia's career is responsible for the lack of attention that has been given to the downward spiral she appears to be on. When Britney Spears and Amanda Bynes went through their issues, discussions about their mental health were at the core of media reporting. While it was a disgusting circus in both cases, it was accepted, as a given, that there was more at play.

 Although Azealia has been pulled up for homophobic language in the past (which at one point she apologised for, an apology it seems she has doubled back on), she has been outspoken about white supremacy and cultural appropriation and was a proud, self-proclaimed 'pro Black girl'. She was angry, yes, but rightfully angry... As many Black people are. She took Igloo Australia to task. She called out racism and colorism in hip hop, the music industry and the media in general. She didn't mince her words and her fiercely pro-Black stance did not endear her to the Western media. A Black woman like Azealia doesn't fit into a box. In a society that refuses to accept the idea of multiplicity in the Black identity, you cannot be a pro-Black, long purple weave wearing, festival rocking, outspoken, alternative, flower crown wearing, crude lyrics spitting, dark skinned Black woman. Those things cannot exist within the same person.

The point of alllll this is that, as is the case with so many Black women, the angry, evil Black bitch narrative does not allow her public persona any hint of vulnerability. Everything she says and does is taken as evidence of how animalistic and uncivilised she is. The unpredictable and uncontrollable Black woman. The bad Black woman held up in the media as an example to the world of the kind of Black woman society doesn't need and shouldn't accept. If we cannot see vulnerability than we do not need to admit that there is a possibility that someone is struggling with their mental health. Even if there is an overwhelming amount of evidence to support the claim. The notion of vulnerability is confined to whiteness, to women like Britney and Amanda. Not dark skinned Black women who have been openly critical of white society.

When I first saw what Azealia had been tweeting to Zayn Malik and later Skai Jackson and others, I had the same knee jerk reaction as most people. I condemned her and felt disappointed and betrayed. 'She's gone to far now' I thought 'the point of no return'. But then I started thinking about things more critically. I referred back to the inspiring things she used to say. I wondered how a woman who used to make so many spot on observations about race and power in the western world could have fallen into extremely racist and homophobic internet trolling. How can she could be endorsing Donald Trump for president when she used to mock him? How she can she be tweeting that she was bleaching her skin because she is tired of watching other light skinned celebrities get ahead? How could she be arguing with a 14 year old black girl and making horrible and personal comments about them?

This is a tired Black woman. A publicly vilified Black woman. A Black woman who has endured both subtle and overt racism throughout her entire career. A talented Black woman who has been overlooked and dismissed. A beautiful Black Woman. And clearly, a vulnerable Black woman.

White society grinds down the self-esteem of Black women and then hangs us out for our public crucifixion when we finally snap. I truly believe that Azealia needs help and support and as PoC we owe it to her and to ourselves to protect that outside of the hideous white narrative that is trying to destroy her (google it, look at how these articles are being written, look at the pictures of her most of them are using). When we abandon Black women like Azealia Banks we engage in the work of white supremacy. I for one am not trying to do that, even when it appears that trauma and underlying mental health issues are manifesting themselves in such a horrible way!

These words of Malcolm X were bought back into public discussion recently when Beyonce featured the on her visual album 'Lemonade', they feel all too relevant here today xx


24 comments:

  1. Beautifully written and spot on. She obviously needs help and empathy at this point.

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  2. Spot, fucking, on. Brava .

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  3. Bullshit!

    if she was tired she shouldnt have come for people. Wtf

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    1. No, maybe she shouldn't have, but try compassion instead of intolerance where it is needed. It makes for a much nicer world.

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    2. Shouldn't SHE be acting with compassion instead of tolerance then, too?

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  4. disappointedfan11 May 2016 at 16:37

    All of this is taken into consideration, but if that's the case, maybe we need to encourage Azealia to drop social media. At this point, I'm so disappointed and I'm putting her into the category of black women who attack other black women. The way she spoke to Skai was repulsive, Skai's original comment wasn't even mean-spirited... it's crazy. She needs to understand that if she wants the rest of us 'pro black girls' to support her, she's going to need to stop attacking other black girls, I think that was the last straw with me. Truly disappointed.

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    1. You may well be right on that, but she has to want help and then find the right person to guide her and keep her safe over social media.

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  5. Zizzi, I enjoy reading your blog, I find it uplifting and always makes me smile! I was particularly interested in your blog on Azealia Banks and think you are dead right in everything you say here. It is a very sad indictment that we still live in a racist society where the colour of your skin makes a difference and lets be truthful, racism is found around the world, in all colours and creeds. Maybe some day, we will be described by our names, smile, that lady with the funny laugh perhaps, rather than by our skin colour.

    As a middle-aged bipolar guy, I see people with mental health issues ridiculed, even when it is obvious they are going through a bad patch mentally, as Azealia obviously is at the moment. Even though I live a fairly normal life, I am acutely aware of everything I do, in case I give away the fact that I have mental issues, although in recent times I have given trying to hide it and let people make their own judgements. Reality is a very thin line to tread sometimes and we all need help sometimes to keep us on the straight and narrow! I hope Azealia finds the help she needs and someone she can trust and love to guide her, as I have.

    I am afraid it is a very sad world we live in sometimes, but love goes a long way to counteracting that...

    Tim Key
    @timkey64 (twitter)

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  6. Excellent piece.

    In this day and time where white people are trying their damnedest to erase Black people's influence and domination from American culture, I feel that a young woman like Azealia is needed. Although her rants can be a bit much, there is always an underlying reason and truth to what she is ranting about. Which is why I will always support her because none of these other BOUGHT Black artists are saying anything, nor, creating anything of substance.

    It's time for people to feel uncomfortable again, our society has been on cruise control for far too long. Culture shock is needed at this time and I'm happy that Azealia is a catalyst of this movement.

    PEACE.

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    1. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to rant without sexualizing an underage black girl and her mother, and making fun of Southeast asians and refugees. Look at Beyonce and Lemonade. That was an hour long rant on HBO and nobody got hurt (except maybe her husband). Look at Nicki. She has no problem throwing shade, even if it's live white-owned television networks. Rihanna managed to deal with all her beef without a racial slur or bodyshaming. So did Lil' Kim. So did Ciara. All of these women have dealt with the same issues Azealia Banks has dealt with. And somehow just because they are succesful that automatically makes them "bought"? They are saying nothing of substance? So substance means you have to include disgusting words and connotations?

      When Nicki said "Miley, what's good?" everyone knew what she was talking about. When Beyonce said, "I like my negro nose with Jackson 5 nostrils," everyone knew what she was talking about. When Zayn left One Direction, everyone knew why. You don't have to publicly tweet to a 14 year old black girl that her mother sucks dick for her to be on Disney to get a point across. You don't have to publicly tweet to a Muslim man that he's a sand nigga who got found in a refugee camp to get a point across. Solidarity means stand together, not stand alone.

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    2. Most of the female artists you just named have either stolen ideas from AB or don't even stand in solidarity with other women within the industry. They only reach out to a certain group/clique of artists and collab with them to help each other. Rather than reaching out to younger Black female artists, specifically, and helping them to come up. So that woman empowerment s*** that they put in their songs and say at award shows is fake, let's be honest.

      Nicki has been throwing shade and has been very negative since she came into the industry, yet, it gets overlooked. That moment at the VMAs was planned, and it was obvious. This is the same "artist" that wore a chicken wing necklace and referred to Black women as "nappy haired hoes" in her lyrics. Beyonce stole Ledisi's moment to shine at the Grammy's by singing her song, and it gets overlooked. She also sang about "Jackson 5 nostrils", yet she got a nose job. I'm sure she didn't even write that lyric herself.

      Mainstream fans have SELECTIVE memory. Foxy Brown, Lauryn, Kim, Azealia... All four of those artists have something in common that I do not feel a lot of people are recognizing. Black women within Hip Hop that look a certain way that refuse to act a certain way receive different treatment. This is a very deep topic that people are purposely not discussing. That's why I give kudos to the sister that wrote this article, because it is bringing up a necessary discussion.

      The mental health of Black people is under attack, and I hope that Azealia can learn how to let things go and communicate is a positive manner, as we all do. But when you live in a society that acts like they care about you, just to take from you, you're going to get angry and aggravated. None of us has walked a day in her shoes... Remember that.

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  7. Excellent piece.

    In this day and time where white people are trying their damnedest to erase Black people's influence and domination from American culture, I feel that a young woman like Azealia is needed. Although her rants can be a bit much, there is always an underlying reason and truth to what she is ranting about. Which is why I will always support her because none of these other BOUGHT Black artists are saying anything, nor, creating anything of substance.

    It's time for people to feel uncomfortable again, our society has been on cruise control for far too long. Culture shock is needed at this time and I'm happy that Azealia is a catalyst of this movement.

    PEACE.

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  8. In theory everything you have written has merit. But in the real world there comes a point when people need to be held accountable for their actions and their anti-social behavior needs to be condemned

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  9. I disagree with you. Refusing to support her in her uncalled-for attack on people, using their race as an insult against them, does NOT mean you are supporting white supremacy. Yes, she has been ground down by white media, and she is clearly showing signs of mental disturbance (why else would she direct so much hatred to a 14 year old?). But if we really are interested in dismantling racism, in standing up for our fellow POCs, then we are committed to defending our fellow POCs from racist attacks, whether these are delivered by some white supremacist or whether they come from Azealia Banks. Her refusal to apologise for what she said, and her refusal to recognise that she has offended people (this whole offence is taken, not given thing is the biggest load of crap) are precisely why I will be "abandoning" Azealia Banks.

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    1. Whilst much of what you say has much merit, I think that on a good day Azealia would agree with you wholeheartedly. Whilst racism is a terrible thing, we should tackle it wherever it comes from. It is not acceptable whether white - POC or the other way round, it is just that some people are their own worst enemy!

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  10. Sorry, but no. I struggle to see the side of Azealia you're talking about. I can't support her just because she's black like me because she doesn't do the same to other POC. How can I support her if there might be chance she doesn't support me? She will talk about all these other POC artists as if they are not black enough, or "woke" enough, not transparent enough, but when the mirror is put up to her, she smashes it. So she is the epitome of black "wokeness" and everyone else is inferior? What? We can't disagree with her?

    How can I support someone who supports joking about refugees? Who uses a fake latnix accent? Who uses racial and homophobic slurs? Who body shames a 14 year old girl of color and tells her that she won't amount to anything because she is dark? If she is going to hold up the "victim of white supremacy sign" I will support her in that, but she cannot hold that sign up WHILE ALSO perpetrating white supremacy. How can I be with her when she isn't with me? I'm a dark skinned WOC. I was a refugee. I am queer. Azealia Banks has shown me that she doesn't like people like me. I'm supposed to protect her when she doesn't protect me?


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    1. Okay a lot of the things she said was wrong but it was out of anger and hurt. She needs to be sympathized not abused. She is clearly mentally unwell. When Chris Brown jokes on suicide and tells Kehlani she is "faking for the gram" no one says a thing. CB has came out saying he is has bipolar and has mental issues from he's childhood. No one questions that. Imo AB needs counseling.

      Furthermore her "joking" about refugees was her trying to show Zayn were he comes from. She has this idea that Zayn is trying to be a cool white boy who thinks he is black but she is reminding him that in this "white man world" he will always be considered a *excuse my language* a "paki" the same way black people are always going to be considered niggers.

      You said you're a dark skin woman so surely you must feel the hurt and pain of your ancestors that AB has or maybe you've moved on. AB hasn't gotten over slavery and white supremacy.

      I feel like AB needs to get counseling and like the girl said we shouldn't give up on her. She is one of us.

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    2. I 100% support and believe the idea that she needs counseling. There is something not quite right about this whole situation. But I have listened to her music and followed her on social media since 212 and the stuff she talks about is nothing new. She has always said stuff like this but it was usually provoked by racism. So, for example, someone would say something ignorant to/about her and she would go on a rant. Usually it was another celebrity or a tabloid or whatever. This is where I had sympathy for her, because of course I still feel the hurt and pain of my ancestors and if someone is bigoted towards me for no other reason than the fact that I exist, I would pop off too.

      My confusion is that she perpetrates the things she is apparently against. And I'm not talking about no "reverse racism" crap now, I'm talking about telling a young SUCCESSFUL black girl that she will never amount to anything because of the color of her skin UNLESS she gets breast and butt enhancement surgery. No, ma'am. I am here to protect young black girls at ALL costs. AT ALL COSTS. I don't care how you are feeling. PROTECT YOUNG BLACK GIRLS AT ALL COSTS.

      Also with the whole Zayn thing, she is the one that came for him. She was reaching for something that simply wasn't there. I mean if she thinks that Zayn was stealing from her, then they were both stealing from that Tron movie from a couple years back. He told her that he was not going to discuss it and this is what sent her into a rant. So I'm confused...She claimed that he stole from her, he said no I didn't...why exactly does she have to go into the "Simba, don't forget who you are" rant? Don't forget your mother is from Pakistan? I'm sure he didn't forget it. How can he? He was constantly reminded of it and dealt with racism in the white boy band, so he LEFT and personally doesn't speak to the white boys anymore. And then he calls him and Indian word and says he smells like curry...like ok, why did you randomly have to bring Southeast Asia up to this Pakistani boy? And then go ahead and tell him that he's a f***** because why? And that America will bomb him...why?

      Anyway, I feel personally wronged because I LOVED AB so much. SO MUCH. I was like, this is it, move over Bey, move over Nicki, move over Rih. I wanted so much for her to be successful and so did her all her fans. She dealt with so much bad luck because of things she couldn't control. I wish her well.

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  11. Amazing read!

    I do agree AB is angry, tired and hurt. This industry is beyond fake and she can't fit in. Her ideas are being stolen and she's not getting recognition. However the way she shows her anger is wrong. Calling Zayn a "paki" was wrong. Skai had no place involving herself but AB saying she'll end up on drugs like the other Disney stars is also wrong.

    AB needs counseling and a different form of outlet. Maybe you should encourage her to write blogs were she can express her views. She is so talented and I don't want her Twitter rants to get in the way.

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  12. For the record, Azealia's twitter account was suspended today. For the best I think...

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  13. Beautifully written- perfectly sums up what irked me about this whole situation. To me, too, she can do wrong, but not too wrong for me to not instantly empathize with her being a black woman every time she lashes out. In a way, I understand what she was trying to say. It's just terrible that in a way, she was "playing into" their hands by acting "racist" (the systemic definition here not fitting though- she can be prejudicial, but not racist (Anyone who gets this, gets this, and anyone who doesn't, is looking for a fight. That is a given, period. Look it up) things, so now they get to dismiss all of her, even the valid criticism buried deep within.

    So as someone who feels empathetic, I very much appreciate your compassion in writing this piece. So far, people have only used this flashy descriptor of "mentally ill" as a further way to definitively put her back in her corner- using it in a dismissive, patronizing, destructive way. Here, I get the feeling that when you use the term "mental health", you realize the intricacies that go into breaking a mind down, and how quickly in fact that can happen when one stands as a black woman against all this adversity. We only know about some of the adversity, we don't have a breakdown of everything she's been through.
    Thank you!

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Thank you bitches!! xxxx