Radio Rising: TV Off
The Super Bowl halftime show.
I, of course, loved it. I had secretly hoped for a stripped-down protest performance—just Kendrick and a piano (LOL).
But deep down, I knew my Gemini brother would deliver something thought-provoking, a performance that would be analyzed and discussed for years to come.
And he did not disappoint.
Here we are just two days later, social media and news outlets are ablaze with debates, interpretations, and speculation about what people think they saw.
But as a fellow Gemini, I can't help but feel a bit disappointed—because no one (yet) has pointed out what was so striking to me: the deliberate use of color and lighting to highlight my favorite combination—RED, BLACK, and GREEN.
Here in the U.S., the Red, Black, and Green flag is a symbol of Black liberation, first established by Marcus Garvey in 1920 as a banner of pride, resistance, and unity for African descendants worldwide. These colors carry deep meaning—red for the blood shed in the struggle, black for the people, and green for the land and hope of a free future.
But the symbolism doesn’t stop there. The same color combination appears in other struggles for freedom—across Africa and beyond—including the Sudanese and Palestinian flags, both of which represent ongoing fights against colonialism, displacement, and oppression.
But it’s still early in the news cycle. I’ll wait.
In the meantime, enjoy my curated video compilation of the best think pieces (so far) on Kendrick’s unforgettable performance.
Cover photo credit: AP
Addendum: 2/11/25
Are you an educator or mentor of children ages 10 and up?
Here’s a lesson plan developed by a young woman named Iman Cassells Alleyne that may interest you:
Analyzing Symbolism and Figurative Language in Kendrick Lamar’s Performances
Addendum: 2/13/25
Just watched another analysis that I like (thanks to my kid Jamila for posting)
