02/14/2025
“Not Like Us?”
We know it’s been a while since you’ve heard from us. Since our last post we’ve released our second book, “African Americans of Central New Jersey: A History of Harmony and Hostility,” worked with school districts and collaborated on projects with the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Every day, as co-founders of the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum, we maintain our commitment to tell the story of the unique culture, experiences and contributions of the African American community.
Yes, a lot has happened. Today we want to weigh in on the 2025 Super Bowl half time performance by Kendrick Lamar through the lens of two senior Black women who initially didn’t have a clue of what was happening. And just because we’re Black, we assure you that we do not share some cryptic ability to decipher “Black talk” even when delivered in the form of rap. But what was not lost on us was that something major was happening and that we were witnessing something akin to coded language used years ago in spirituals, storytelling and hair braiding.
What we witnessed was Black people once again tapping into their ingenuity, talent and inventiveness to deliver a message like our ancestors did generations ago. So instead of rejecting the performance of this Pulitzer prize winning artist, let’s start with the significance of Samuel L. Jackson’s portrayal of Uncle Sam. For those familiar with the movie “Django Unchained” Jackson played the role of a house slave who was expressly loyal to his master and shared the belief that Black people were inherently inferior. “Uncle Sam” warned Lamar not to be “too loud, too reckless, too ghetto” and asked “Mr. Lamar, do you really know how to play the game white America expects?”
Now, if you’re confused about “Uncle Sam’s” instruction, let’s talk about what happened next. Kendrick Lamar proceeded to rap about subject matter so inflammatory and sensitive that the current Administration is desperately trying to erase it. No, he did not play the game. “Uncle Sam” told Lamar and his dancers to "stay in their place and not to make white America uncomfortable." Now, what he was describing was code switching which is nothing new to Black people because we have been playing that game since the beginning of time. Our survival depended, and still, depends upon code switching as it requires us to behave accordingly to appear non-threatening. This has been a necessary component of Black life for centuries because the dominant society has not, and will not, accept otherwise. So, instead of acquiescing Lamar unapologetically refused to play the game and presented a non-DEI dance troop dressed in red, white and blue who shaped themselves into the American flag. Lamar’s message crossed all kinds of lines as he dished it out before the largest audience in Super Bowl history. But has all this code-switching has worked for us?
Code switching has been a mechanism for survival and a necessary element of Black life for centuries. African Americans have used their skills to deliver Academy Award performances and still never attain the level of success as whites. Still doubting? Let’s look at Trump’s newly formed cabinet and question if a Black person with the same lack of credibility, unfit character, dubious morals or glaring inexperience like Musk, Hegseth, Gabbard, Kennedy or McMahon (just to name a few) be confirmed overwhelmingly to head major departments in America? Imagine the shock, hysteria and fury if this occurred during the Obama Administration—a man who outraged white America by wearing a tan suit. Just imagine.
Which bring us to Lamar ending with “Not Like Us,” a song created to “diss” his archrival, Drake. But what else can we learn from this we ask you to consider. Re-watch and pay attention because the revolution was televised!
Peace and blessings,
Elaine & Beverly
