Los Angeles - Singer Madonna has drawn harsh criticism on
social media for sharing a video of her son dancing to a Michael
Jackson song to honor George Floyd and protest "all Acts of Racism."
The video, tweeted on Thursday, sees 14-year-old David Banda
passionately performing and raising a fist to the tune of Jackson's
1995 protest anthem, "They Don't Care About Us."
"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," Madonna
wrote, along with the trending hashtag #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd.
While her intentions were noble, the clip and caption prompted mixed
feelings on Twitter, with some criticizing the "Like A Prayer" singer
for being tone-deaf and "out of touch."
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/davidbanda?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#davidbanda #JusticeforGeorgeFloyd #MichaelJackson pic.twitter.com/wLa6YKrYF1
— Madonna (@Madonna)
"I really appreciate you for allowing your son to dance away the
racism for us," read one person's snarky reply.
"Wow. Racism is gone," echoed another. "Thank you girl."
Former NBA star Rex Chapman called the tribute "maybe the worst tweet
of all time," writing, "'Come dance in the kitchen for racism' is a
weird take."
Several accused the pop icon of forcing her son to dance for the
camera so she could post it online, though the video doesn't show how
the performance came about.
"'David come dance for your people,'" multiple people imagined her
saying.
Others were less critical, pointing to the song's timely message and
praising Madonna and her son for the gesture.
"Thank you for posting this, most people don't even realize or listen
to the words that he was dancing to," one person wrote. "They don't
listen, they don't hear, they make a split judgment with their eyes.
That is what is wrong with this country. My heart aches tonight worse
than ever."
On Wednesday, Madonna called the viral footage of Floyd - which shows
a white police officer kneeling on his neck, even as he pleads, "I
can't breathe" - "the most sickening, heartbreaking thing (I've) seen
in a long time."
The four police officers involved in the arrest were fired after
Floyd died Monday and video of the encounter began circulating, but
many are demanding more justice. Unrest and looting has taken hold in
Minneapolis since Tuesday night.
"This Officer knew he was being filmed and murdered him with
arrogance and Pride," Madonna wrote on Instagram. "This has to stop!!
Until we can over come Racism in America - no one should be allowed
to carry a gun. Most of all cops."
Madonna is one of several celebrities expressing their outrage at
Floyd's killing. Other entertainers speaking up in the wake of his
death include Beyonce, John Boyega, Ava DuVernay, Taylor Swift,
Gabrielle Union, Cardi B, Cynthia Erivo, Lupita Nyong'o, Demi Lovato,
Viola Davis, Janelle Monae and many more."God Bless you George Floyd
Im so sorry for you and your family," Madonna continued. "And all the
senseless killings that have gone before you. Will it ever end?"