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Cousins! India Arie officially responded to backlash she received following her comments on Megan Thee Stallion ‘s “Hot Girl” takeover at this year’s Essence Festival with a quick cameo by Janelle Monae!
In a series of Instagram stories the songstress wrote,” “I HATE defending simple logic, so I’m going to just say this. THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE WITH ANY OF MY SISTERS. PERIOD. I am AN OLD SCHOOL LONG TIME AFFIRMING VOICE FOR WOMEN. MY RECORD SPEAKS FOR IT’S SELF. I LOVE humanity, even in all it’s bullsh*t LOL!”
She added, “All I’m saying is CONTEXT MATTERS. Debate that if you want, lol .. but I said what I said. And WHY did I say it? Because just like EVERYYYONE ELSE, I am entitled to my opinion.”
India wrote, “BUT ALSO, I DO THIS WORK. My whole adult LIFE.. the work of UPLIFTING and LOVING and AFFIRMING and SUPPORTING the WELLNESS of Black women. And all people at large. How effective I was… I guess depends on who you ask. But for 20 plus years, I ran 100 miles an hours at all times… In the name of HEALING. So, when I see something that sparks my PERSONAL mission… I speak.”
“There’s not scandal here. Just one woman’s opinion. But what I will NEVER ALLOW, is for ANYONE to paint ME!! As a person who would use other women for kindling in the burning down of the patriarchy. NO. No. NO. NO. NOOO. It’s. I love all, ALL of the female artists, because I KNOW FIRST HAND how hard it is to BE ONE.”
India continued by saying, “I’ve released 8 albums. And have myself played the ESSENCE main stage… 6 (?) times? What I see, here is the main streaming of cults, that IMHO should be adult only entertainment. AND! I’ve been saying this SAaaaaaaammmmmmmeeeeee thing for over 20 years. WHY?
“LOL some could say my ideals created a LESS business model, LOL !! But I stand by them because my gut tells me too. SO much more to say but I don’t feel like it. I’m in a BIG REAL LIFE MOMENT and have a BUNCH of stuff going on. Also, in case you missed it… PROTECTING MY PEACE IN 2023. I’m open for a REAL smart debate or a real conversation but I don’t do the social media self propelled outrage BS. I put ME FIRST in my life. I DO this self care thing FOR REAL.”
India’s social media rant comes just a few days after she commented on Megan’s hottie boot camp performance at Essence Fest. “
“The issue is what is CONTEXT,” India wrote. “Humanity does EVERYTHING. But does EVERYTHING BELONG IN A STAGE. No. is everything for KIDS? No. is everything for EVERY BODY? NO. so when we as a culture make something like this main stream ~ it shows a lack of discretion and discernment.”
She continued: “To those in the comments who laugh at anyone who wants these things for out culture you certainly have that right. Just as many folks have the right to want our MAINSTREAM International export – out Music – to show us in a respectful light. Id like to go on the record saying : this wont age well and thats my issue.
Social media users caught wind of India’s comments and immediately called her out.
Cousins, what are your thoughts in this?