Super Bowl LV Pt.3

A Direct Continuation of Part 2;  https://watchitdie.blogspot.com/2021/02/super-bowl-lv-pt2_26.html

The Half-Time Show: This year it was performed by Canadian popstar The Weeknd.

It began with a performer dressed in white choral robes being lowered from the sky. Rather like an angel. 

However in flowing white robes with arms outstretched it seemed to be more a reference to the; "Christ the Redeemer" statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

This was confirmed when the performer was lowered onto a multi-tiered stage above the arena floor. The stage was dressed to resemble a cityscape stretching out across a hill.

A direct reference to a sequence from the Opening Ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympics held in Rio. Which I entitled; "The Voice of the Favelas."

Using the same imagery of a city sprawling up a hill this highlighted Rio's Favelas, slum or shanty towns. Specifically the Rochina favela which is built, illegally, on the hill leading up the Christ the Redeemer statue.

It followed immediately another sequence in the 2016 Summer Olympic Opening Ceremony which featured Gisele Bundchen. The current wife of The Buccaneers star player Tom Brady.

However rather than making any comments about Brazil. This seemed intended to highlight that 2021 is not a scheduled Olympic year.

Obviously there aren't any hard and fast rules about what the Super Bowl shows involve. However as, primarily, a domestic event it tends to focus on domestic US issues.

In the wake of Colin Kaepernick and Black Lives Matter (BLM) the Super Bowl found itself being all consumed by just that one issue. 

I remember the 2018 Half-Time Show seeming to make a point of how boring that was getting. Everyone going over the same issue again and again. Without anything new being added or progress made.

The 2020 Half-Time Show really pulled out all the stops. 

With Shakira and Jennifer Lopez covering a range of global issues. Such as Muslim women access to menstrual products in the three-way dispute between India, China and Pakistan over Kashmir.

That's because 2020 was supposed to be an Olympic year. With the Super Bowl firing the first shots in a global discussion of global topics.

Referencing the Olympics seemed to be making the point not to expect so much this time. A more traditional, sedate event focusing on more domestic US issues.

Although there were some references to America's special relationship with Britain. Due to Britain being the former Colonial power. As it continues to be in The Weeknd's native Canada. 

Obviously the 2020 Summer Olympics didn't happen because of the pandemic. There remains some debate whether they will be held in Tokyo, Japan this year. So it was useful to leave a question mark over whether this was an Olympic year or not.

There are though so elements of Brazilian society which are useful to compare to the US' own domestic issues. Such as race.

The issue of Race in Brazil is rather unique. In that it has no majority ethnic group. 

 The largest ethnic group describes itself as White. Yet they only make up about 43% of the population. There are also sizeable Hispanic, Black, Asian and Indigenous groups.

Most interestingly Brazil has a large mixed-race population. 

With people being a mixture of several, sometimes more, ethnicities. I remember one of the 2016 Olympic Ceremonies highlighting this with a very attractive woman with Afro hair, Hispanic skin and Japanese features.

This though doesn't mean that Brazil has eliminated racism. In fact some will say that there are sections of Brazilian society which are very racist. 

However due to the widespread mixing of races this racism isn't really based on skin colour but on hair type. With Afro hair being considered the least desirable.

The 2016 Voice of Favelas sequence was also used to express Brazil's Displeasure at Black Lives Matter. 

Black Lives Matter's worship of crime and violence being exported from the US to Brazil. Making Brazil's own significant crime and violence problems worse.

As the "Angel Christ" descended onto the multi-tiered stage it parted in the middle. As if it were the Red Sea at Moses' command.

From the parting The Weeknd emerged. As if making his Exodus from Egypt and its 10 Plagues.

Under the disclaimer that this is intended as a discussion about domestic American issues. Rather being directed at the actual Red Sea.

The Weeknd then just sung three of his songs. "Call Out My Name," "Starboy" and; "The Hills." However in his loafers and with his dance moves he did them very much in the style of Michael Jackson.

Michael Jackson against the backdrop of the Favela skyline was a direct reference. To the Brazilian version of his 1995 video for; "They Don't Care About Us."

This was part of Michael Jackson's big comeback after being tried for multiple counts of child sexual abuse. Between 1992-1995. 

It was certainly said at the time. That the Spike Lee directed video attempted to dismiss those allegations as part of a global Jewish conspiracy against Black people.

The fact the video seemed to be Michael Jackson touring a Favela. To pick up poor young boys to sexually abuse. Really didn't help his case.

This was intended to make a point. About how America's Black community seems to have an unusually high tolerance for domestic abusers. Both child sexual and others.

Obviously America's White community hardly has clean hands when it comes to sexual abuse. Harvey Weinstein and Jeffery Epstein spring to mind. However when sexual abusers are exposed they tend to be immediately vilified and exiled by the White community.

Through its vaccination policy Britain was keen for you to focus on Gary Glitter. 

Particularly the faux pas made by the 2012 movie; "Silver Linings Playbook." Which, perhaps, not knowing who he was included Gary Glitter on its soundtrack. Earning him royalties before it was edited out.

However I think Britain was more interested in the direction it had given to Myanmar/Burma's rabble. To use the three-fingered salute from; "The Hunger Games" trilogy. 

Apparently they almost had Jennifer Lawrence's eye out. Something about an explosive device near Boston.

Standards seem different though in the American Black community. 

Now he's dead we can talk openly about what a nasty little paedophile Michael Jackson was. Yet people still seem happy to worship him as some sort of hero and openly play his music on the radio and elsewhere.

Although as with Epstein. There is an issue with his estate now being used to compensate his many victims.

After those three songs the Red Sea parted again and The Weeknd disappeared into the multi-tiered stage.

The Weeknd then performed; "I Can't Feel My Face" surrounded by dancers dressed almost identically to him. Except for their faces being hidden by bandages. 

While singing this song The Weeknd seemed to be struggling to find his way down to the arena floor. As if trapped in a shiny golden, mirrored labyrinth or elevator.

This being the Super Bowl you could take that as a reference to the famous shiny gold elevator in Trump Towers. 

You could also take it as a reference to the 2014 incident Super Bowl artistic director Jay Z had in an elevator with his wife Beyonce and his sister-in-law Solange.

Mainly though it seemed to be a reference to Justin Timberlake's 2003; "Rock Your Body." 

The video for which was shot in a similar shiny golden, mirrored lighting cube. Through that it referenced Justin Timberlake's 2018 Super Bowl performance.

This was when a point was made about everyone being so bored by the Super Bowl. With it just going over-and-over the Kaepernick issue. 

Justin Timberlake didn't even bother perform on the arena floor. Instead performing in one of the stadium bars.

As if to say;

"I'll do the Super Bowl if they give me a complimentary box. But I'm not going to bother getting out of my chair."

At the 2018 Super Bowl the National Anthem was performed by Pink. In reference to how, around 2003, one third of my World Famous Thrupple was known by the codename; "Pink." 

While I was known by the codename; "Justin Timberlake. A rumour I'm still not rushing to dispel by posting pictures.

In 2003 the actual Justin Timberlake was dating the actual Britney Spears. Unfortunately, rather like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, this all rather passed me by at the time.

However Britney Spears went onto develop significant psychological issues. A topic I'm rather familiar with. 

This resulted in her being appointed a Conservator or Legal Guardian to control her affairs. An experience similar to the one my paternal grandmother was subjected to. At the hands of Britain; "The Brits."

In the week following the Super Bowl the documentary; "Framing Britney Spears" was released. Just has her legal guardianship was being reviewed by the Courts. Tempting you all to discuss those metaphors in more detail.

Clearly I didn't get where I am today by caring much about my image or what people think of me. It's seems silly for me to start now.

Justin Timberlake also actually performed "Rock Your Body" during his 2004 Half-Time Show. 

The one where Janet Jackson's nipple was momentarily exposed. Falling foul of the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) delightful absurd; "No Nipples Rule."

Despite Janet Jackson's never top level career being well past it’s prime by that point. This incident has fuelled earnest allegations of misogyny and White Privilege ever since.

Unable to make his way to the arena floor The Weeknd returned to the multi-tiered stage. Where he really just sang three more of his songs. "I Feel It Coming," "Save Your Tears" and; "Earned It."

Needless to say. There were a fair few fiddles during Michael Jackson's latest trip to the favela.

The main element I noticed during this sequence was the backdrop. Which I would really liked to have gotten a better look at. 

However it was primarily an image of the moon. As in the TV Show; "From The Earth To The Moon." About the Apollo Space Missions.

It also seemed to be a reference to an old Irish rebel/folk song; "The Rising Of The Moon." 

About the 1798 Irish Rebellion. In which Theobald Wolfe Tone gathered a small band of rebels, at night, to rise against British rule.

In light of the references to Lonnie Donegan this song seems to provide a valuable lesson. About the importance of considering things in their proper historical context.

Nowadays it sounds like a woman singing about her husband sneaking out. To meet up with other men in the park at night. To compare each other's pikes and polish each other helmets.

It sounds more than a little bit gay. Which may well be the point of the Marie O'Brien version I'm most familiar with.

Another good example being; "The Tri-Coloured Ribbon." Originally written as female, almost acapella, solo. Such as by Peg Clancey Power.

A widow's lament. Amid the truth & treaty of the 1922-1923 Irish Civil War.

However sung by a man, such as Derek Warfield, with a jaunty backing track. Then it certainly seems to lean a different way.

Eventually The Weeknd did find his way to the arena floor. Where he performed; "Blinding Lights" with the army of dancers who'd accosted him in the elevator.

They were dressed just as the Canadian singer was. In long red coats.

The same Red Coats worn by the Brit Colonialists as they fought the American Revolutionaries. 

Particularly in The War of 1812. Which Democrats have referenced frequently as the last time the US Capitol Building was stormed.

This was a direct reference to Beyonce's 2016 Super Bowl performance. Where she performed with an army of dancers of her own.

Beyonce's army was dressed in the uniform of a black beret, black trenchcoat and bullet bandolier/Sam Brown belt. 

Beyonce believed this to be the uniform of the Black Panther Party (BPP). Forerunners to Black Lives Matter.

However it is actually the uniform of the Original Irish Republican Army (OIRA). 

Who won the 1919-1921 Irish War of Independence. Leading to the creation of the Northern Irish Border. Between the newly formed Republic of Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland.

Well, I say; "Uniform." It was really just what people in Ireland were wearing at the time. With a holster and bandolier of bullets pulled on at the last minute.

At the risk of a tangent. The OIRA really invented the concept of Guerrilla Warfare. 

Copying OIRA tactics Britain established the Special Operations Executive (SOE) during the Second World War. Which was copied by America to set up the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

So you know all these elite Special Operations Forces (SOF). That they make all the TV Shows and movies about. Ireland kind of invented them.

Then managed to make the whole business seem rather wistful and romantic. Through songs such as that sniper's promise; "Dirty Old Town."

During the Northern Irish Troubles the OIRA uniform was co-opted by the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA). The paramilitary wing of the Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP). They were part of the Soviet; "Arc of Resistance" during the Cold War.

Via Libya and Muammar Qaddafi's "Pan-Africanist" ideology. This Arc of Resistance was extended to the US. In the form of the Black Panther Party.

So it's quite amusing to watch. US Democrats deploy Black Lives Matter while ranting about "Russian Interference." 

When They're the Russian Interference. They're the Colonial Red Coats. They're the Plot Against America.

Apparently this performance of; "Blinding Lights" included elements of; "Happy House" by Siouxsie and the Banshees. 

Not that I'd have recognised. Just as I didn't really recognise much of the music used here. Did I mention the issue with Music TV?

The Sioux are, of course, one of the tribes of Native Americans. Who were all but wiped out during liberal America's great White Flight to Oregon and the Pacific coast.

In Irish folklore a; "Banshee" is a fairy woman, often old and greyhaired. Who heralds the death of a loved one through her chilling shriek. 

It is invoked a lot in the lyrical tradition of various Irish rebellions. The wives and mothers who wail over the dead.

I invoked it myself through the Sean Dunphy version of the song; "The Valley Of Knockanure." 

In reference to the most recent round of fighting in the Nagorno-Karabakh Region (NKR). A primarily Russian and Turkish affair. With definite elements of Brexit.

Unfortunately you were all denied my free analysis. By Britain's refusal to accept the clear and obvious fact;

That this big plan it's fighting to cling onto. It's not a plan at all. It's a prank the bigger boys played on them.

Unlike with the Beirut explosion. My decision not to cover this NKR fighting wasn't so much a strategic one.

It was more to do with the fact that the NKR conflict has been ongoing since, at least, 1994. 

While I'm aware of it. I'm very far from being an expert on it. Really the only thing I know is that via Turkey and Russia it has become interlinked with the conflict in Syria and Iraq.

Cut off, by Twitter, from the networks I built up in Syria and Iraq. During Brexit. It wasn't possible for me to go and find out what I needed to know. In order to get involved without doing more harm than good.

Although I didn't provide an analysis. I did break the news that Turkey was supplying Syrian Islamists to fight for Azerbaijan in the conflict. With absolutely no legitimate way of knowing that.

Considered a major party trick within intelligence circles.

Particularly as I'm able to preface it with the words; "Not that I was really trying."

Unlike The Weeknd the dancers were wearing bandage masks over their faces.

Along with the long coats the slight conical appearence of these masks gave the impression of; "Plague Doctors." 

The Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worn by physicians during the Black Death. The Bubonic Plague pandemic of the 14th century.

The current COVID-19 pandemic was the overarching theme of the Half-Time Show. Dominating as it has dominated all of 2020.

This sequence happened in the shadow of the multi-tiered stage above the arena floor. 

In response to the pandemic governments around the World have imposed different tiers of lockdown or quarantine restrictions in an effort to control the virus.

The term; "Quarantine" actually comes from the Italian word; "Quarantena" meaning; "Forty Days." 

Referring to the 40 days that ships were held in port in Venice before being allowed to disembark. In order to prevent the spread of the Bubonic Plague.

This sequence though focused more on the issue of Facemasks. Which in America in particular has been a very politically divisive response to COVID-19. 

Whether you decided to wear a facemask or not was almost a declaration of whether you intended to vote Democrat or Republican at the November 2020 Election.

When they first appeared the masked dancers had very jerky, uncoordinated, chaotic movement. Rather like the Zombies we've become used to in various Horror/Disaster TV shows and movies.

Almost all viruses, including COVID-19, work by taking over a cell. Then hijacking that host cell for its own purposes. So in a way almost all viruses are; "Zombie Viruses." 

The little joke that is played out in all those Horror/Disaster TV shows and movies. I particularly think of; "World War Z."

The dancers then organised themselves into well regimented rows. Before breaking from that formation to whizz and ping about the place almost randomly.

This was intended to make the point that Masks Don't Work. 

As even the World Health Organisation (WHO) has been forced to concede. The science claiming they do is flawed to the point you can't actually call it science.

The main problem with the research is that it assumes COVID-19 particles are far larger than they actually are. 

You could explain this in terms of saying it assumes the particles are the size of basketballs. When, in fact, they're the size of tennis balls.

However you could also almost say that the research supporting mask wearing assumes that the particles behave in laboratory conditions. The orderly rows of the dancers. 

When, in fact, they behave in real world conditions. The later chaotic movements of the dancers.

These bandage masks were not the only ones featured in the performance. 

The performers on the multi-tiered stage was wearing Vue-Shield masks. Adorned with LED's to make the otherwise see-through masks visible.

Showered with art, design and fashion awards the Vue Shield doesn't strike me as an attempt to provide protection from COVID-19. Instead it seems to provide a talking point to allow the art, design and fashion communities to discuss the issues around COVID-19.

Although it must be said. While not intended as proper PPE as a sealed, full face visor the Vue Shield is probably more effective as PPE than the masks everyone's wearing. Based on their political affiliation.

The Vue Shield was developed, in part, by the Israeli design company Geomatrix.

As quite a few people have commented. It appears as though all the intense political pressures at the end of 2019 went up in to the universe. Then came back to us in the form of COVID-19.

One of those pressures was my failure to cover the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest. Held in Tel Aviv, Israel. 

Specifically the elements relating to the Israel/Palestine Conflict. Which, over the years, has become of global importance.

Israel's own 2019 Eurovision entry looked at the differences between Judaism and Christianity.

Jews consider the universe to be made up of God. 

Divided into the God head, which is unknowable, and God's body. The Tree of Life. Through which God sends messages. A concept similar to Wu Xing in Animist religions.

Christians believe that God is, almost, a person. Living outside of the human universe in a separate dimension. Heaven. They also believe that God once took human form, through his son Jesus Christ.

This Jewish concept of the Tree of Life could be one way of explaining. How the pressures of late 2019 morphed into COVID-19. One the nations most badly hit by COVID-19 has been Israel's arch-enemy Iran.

Put in those terms COVID-19 does sound like the start of an Anti-Semitic conspiracy theory. Possibly the greatest Anti-Semitic conspiracy theory ever dreamed up.

Invariably the Jews are the first people to get attacked when anything like this happens. 

So Israel and the wider Jewish community are obviously keen for people to discuss that element of COVID-19. Particularly as US Democrats and America's Black community are now rabidly Anti-Semitic.

I publish things like this and coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest under the name; "Sovereign." Meaning; "King" or; "Messiah." 

I'm also anointed with burn scars on the palms of my hands. In what is widely considered to be the shape of the Stigmata of Jesus Christ.

So Israel's 2019 Eurovision entry jokingly declared me to be their new Messiah. A rather strong rebuttal to Twitter's insistence that I must be banned as an Anti-Semite. 

This joke became a lot less funny when COVID-19 came into being. 

Alongside Iran one of the worst hit nations has been my arch-enemy Britain. Not that I was particularly affected. Catching COVID-19 in the first wave and recovering after only mild symptoms.

Worse than that the first wave struck Britain in March 2020. Causing this critical week when Britain had to decide whether to go into lockdown or not.

I was just deciding to bow to public pressure and help. Or to leave my superiors to their superiority. 

It was then I caught COVID-19. With the virus making the decision for me, putting me out of action for that critical week.

After that even I thought it unwise to argue further.

All of which rather gives the impression that the Messiah has smited his enemies with a plague of Biblical proportions. 

A plague that pretty much passed right over him. Something which not even Israel managed to achieve.

The last proclaimed Messiah to perform miracles like that was Jesus Christ. So that is about the most Anti-Semitic thing that it's possible to do. Shaking the Jewish faith at its foundation.

Although my position. Insofar as I have a position. Is that I didn't create COVID-19 to smite my enemies. God created COVID-19 on my behalf.

Not that that's a conversation anyone would relish me having with a psychiatrist. Least of all the psychiatrist. Unlike a long line of people claiming to be a messiah capable of performing miracles. I seem to have the receipts.

Although I think we'd all be quite amused to see me being tried for creating COVID-19 at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Everyone except for the ICC themselves.

So Britain should consider itself further warned. This doesn't sound like the sort of story people are going to be forgetting about in a hurry.

The Vue Shield design seems heavily inspired by the plastic masks used to treat facial burns. Specifically to prevent the type of scarring I have on my hands.

Cosmetic Injury seems to be a recurring theme of The Weeknd's recent work.

He performed at the 2020 Video Music Awards while appearing to suffer from a broken nose. Which it later transpired to be achieved through stage make-up. 

About a month ago The Weeknd released photographs online. Which appeared to show his face having been dramatically altered by cosmetic surgery. Again it later transpired that was the result of stage make-up.

At the press conference ahead of his Super Bowl performance The Weeknd appeared wearing the same facial bandages that his dancers later used. Creating more rumours and speculation about potential cosmetic surgery.

Within the context of the Super Bowl, particularly alongside H.E.R's performance. This made me think of Rihanna. The significant facial injuries she sustained during a beating at the hands of her then boyfriend Chris Brown. 

It probably also made a lot of people think of Michael Jackson. Whose addiction to cosmetic surgery left him almost unrecognisable as a Black man.

Both examples which reinforce the point. 

About Democrats and Black America having an unusually high tolerance for child sexual and other domestic abusers. Particularly when it comes to illegally rewriting election rules.

As far as I can tell. In its own right The Weeknd's work is attempting to explore, not so much vanity. As the Hollywood celebrity culture which values and promotes vanity above all else.

A culture where people are judged not on the content of their character. But on the colour and texture of their skin.

Within the Super Bowl this can be used to pose wider questions. About Identity Politics and; "Cancel Culture."

For example H.E.R's choice of stagename could be taken as an attempt to reduce her identity to nothing more than her gender pronoun. Trans-rights and gender pronouns be a major obsession within Identity Politics and Cancel Culture. 

In her Super Bowl performance H.E.R seemed to reference the "Kendra" character from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. In a play on H.E.R's certain physical similarity to Rihanna. 

Perhaps as an insult that Rihanna isn't really a popstar. Just the first person they grabbed because she looked enough like the Kendra character. 

The flipside to that being. H.E.R  no doubt has her own insecurities. About whether she's a real popstar. Or just the first person they grabbed because she looked enough like Rihanna.

In her "Cowboy Uniform" of double denim H.E.R's performance. Alongside Eric Church and Jazmine Sullivan's performance also raises issues about Racial Stereotypes. 

Particularly the way they seem to be rigidly enforced within America's Black community. Sometimes to the detriment of that community. 

For Black men it seems the only identity available is of an overly aggressive, drug dealing thug.

The example I also choose to pick on here is British Formula 1 racing driver Lewis Hamilton. 

As an incredibly rich and successful Black man he's obviously been keen to be accepted by his American peers. Rappers, Basketball and American Football players and such.

However it seems that American culture has no place for a highly educated, polite well mannered Black man. 

So recently Lewis Hamilton has been noticeably trying to rough up his image, growing his hair out, changing his clothes etc. In 2020 he became a very vocal and, perhaps, embarrassing supporter of Black Lives Matter.

Then you have the stereotype of Black women as the exotic seductress. Who have natural rhythm, are great dancers. So by, implication must be really good at sex.

That's perhaps not such a damaging stereotype to have. Not that a woman being sexy means she's going to want to be sexy with you.

It turns out though. That there are some Black women who are, in fact, clumsy as all hell.

So rather than spending all night drinking and dancing. They'd much prefer be at home nerding out over a complex math problem. Or episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Famous NASA mathematician Mary Jackson perhaps being a good example. Not that I ever danced with her myself.

However if a Black person dares not to conform to the stereotype. Perhaps by doing something as horrifying as voting Republican. 

Then they seem to risk being ostracised by the Black community. For being a sellout or not authentically Black enough. 

This need to establish one's own identity seems to be particularly acute within the Gay community. 

People who don't really have the option of just going with the flow. Particularly as teenagers, when everybody is suddenly obsessed with the opposite sex. 

It's sort of a bit of a joke within the Gay community. That the identity some people choose for themselves is that of; "The Gay Rights Protestor." Their entire identity is defined by how they constantly protest for gay rights.

The problem is that the struggle for Gay rights seems to be more-or-less over. 

Even America is certainly a lot less homophobic than it was 10-15 years ago. Presenting something of an existential crisis for people who have defined themselves only by that struggle.

To combat this it seems that many have simply shifted to become; "The Trans Rights Protestor." Not to improve the lives of Trans people. Just to give themselves a sense of identity and purpose.

This is something that seems to have become more widespread in mainstream society. Turbocharging Cancel Culture.

People defining themselves by their victimhood. They injury they suffer by someone expressing an opinion different from their own. A new battle by which they can define themselves.

When, in reality. Unless you've been in a war or a terror attack. 

Then, chances are, you don't actually have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). You certainly haven't inherited it through the historical trauma of America's legacy of White Supremacy.

Although I doubt The Weeknd cites it as an influence. There's actually a Lonnie Donegan song; "Putting On The Style" that address this. 

It's about the affectations these newly invented teenagers put on to impress their peers. 

Particularly a young woman who puts on her victimhood or agony as a form of flirting. As if it was cosmetic make-up. 

I have to say that I've never had much time for this seemingly desperate need for an easily defined identity. A neat and tidy label to put on people. 

After all I've got to be living proof; 

Of how much more interesting life gets.

When you meet the person in front of you. 

Rather than the label they've had stuck on them.

 

 

20:05 on 26/2/21 (UK date).