Last night, the NFL confirmed that Justin Timberlake will be this year’s Super Bowl LII halftime show in Minneapolis.
NFL announces Justin Timberlake to perform Super Bowl LII halftime show: pic.twitter.com/36m7RCCl6X
— Jill Martin (@ByJillMartin) October 23, 2017
That’s a fine choice, right? Nothing too polarizing about Justin Timberlake. He’s just a regular dude who happens to be equally talented at golf, acting, and singing. Should be a good time.
Wrong. This is 2017, and we can’t have nice things. It took no less than 5 milliseconds for the internet to find something offensive about Justin Timberlake.
NFL confirms @jtimberlake as Super Bowl LII halftime performer.
Back on stage 14 years after famous Janet Jackson “Wardrobe Malfunction”
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) October 23, 2017
Justin Timberlake officially doing Super Bowl halftime. Dream setlist:
– “Lovestoned”
– 9-minute Janet Jackson apology
– “Gone” (w/ *NSYNC)— Jason Lipshutz (@jasonlipshutz) October 23, 2017
Janet Jackson: banned. Justin Timberlake: welcome back. Look, guys, a guy getting to do what a woman can’t is just on brand for 2017, okay?
— Leanna Renee (@leannuh_renay) October 23, 2017
The fact that Janet Jackson is STILL banned for something Justin Timberlake did, yet he’s not infuriates me #whiteprivilege at it’s finest
— Don’t wanna hear it (@willajbabe1989) October 23, 2017
.@jtimberlake still ensuring white privilege remains in style in 2017. Meanwhile, Janet Jackson is still left in the cold.
My only request is that you don’t perform any of the music inspired by her brother or any Black artist.
You love our culture, but disrespect our people. https://t.co/VTVWiGponv
— Ernest Owens (@MrErnestOwens) October 23, 2017
Congrats on getting the Super Bowl halftime show, @jtimberlake. Invite @JanetJackson for a duet. You, uh. Kinda owe her. pic.twitter.com/fqaSelN0Rj
— shauna (@goldengateblond) October 23, 2017
So the NFL welcomes Justin Timberlake back to perform at halftime of Super Bowl LII but Janet Jackson is still banned? pic.twitter.com/2epW11Vt2m
— Anthony Amey (@AnthonyAmeyWSB) October 23, 2017
The NFL banned Janet Jackson but they are bringing back Justin Timberlake to perform because Justin has the complexion for the protection pic.twitter.com/FwP0EY2wUk
— Tariq Nasheed (@tariqnasheed) October 23, 2017
Imagine how misogynistic and shitty the headlines would be if Janet Jackson were the one returning to the super bowl
— Sam H. Escobar (@myhairisblue) October 23, 2017
Everybody here is referencing Janet Jackson’s Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction 14 years ago. The incident resulted in a lifetime ban for Jackson and forced the FCC to mandate a 5 second broadcasting delay for all live performances.
Defenders of the diva claim Timberlake caused the malfunction and should be banned as well. Of course, nobody has really minded Timberlake in the 14 years leading up to today. He’s been nominated for and won literally dozens of awards for singing and acting.
This seems like an excuse for people to complain that Janet Jackson isn’t performing because of sexism, racism, etc. Not because it’s been nearly two decades since she’s released any relevant hits, but because the world is an awful place filled with nothing but bigotry. At this point I could write the narrative myself.