Madonna’s Son Moonwalks Against Racism

The recent (and also centuries old) injustices against Black people at the hands of law enforcement have left many with an inability to navigate their day-to-day. Coping with such anguish manifest itself in many ways — some have turned to rioting to have their voices heard, others have take to social media to share their concerns, and still others find solace in using their artistic gifts to bring awareness to these atrocities. Madonna’s son David Banda, whom she adopted from Malawi in 2006, falls into the latter category.

In an Instagram post, the 61-year-old singer showcased David dancing to Michael Jackson’s “They Don’t Care About Us”. In the caption Madonna revealed that her son was performing “to honor and pay tribute to George and His Family and all Acts of Racism and Discrimination that happen on a daily basis in America.”

View this post on Instagram

brutal murder travels around the world my son David Dances to honor and pay tribute to George and His Family and all Acts of Racism and Discrimination that happen on a daily basis in America. #davidbanda #JusticeforGeorgeFloyd #MichaelJackson

A post shared by Madonna (@madonna) on May 28, 2020 at 6:58am PDT

Some felt the video was a beautiful display of David using art to navigate through his pain. Others found the video a bit cringeworthy — even questioned Madonna’s motives in using her Black son to show she’s an ally. The jokes on Twitter were a plenty…

madonna with her son david pic.twitter.com/BjR6v042it

— kris⁷ (@KlMSDAILY) May 29, 2020

Madonna’s son ending racism pic.twitter.com/FgwlDmEpId

— Tony (@Punanijabi) May 29, 2020

Madonna’s son after she tells him “do that little dance you do” for the 748th time pic.twitter.com/Nhtzhj2Qv3

— PAXE STAN ACCOUNT 🇸🇱 (@NMZTweets) May 28, 2020

Nobody:

Madonna’s son: pic.twitter.com/zAdHSDeF88

— IG: @prettyydoppe (@prettyydoppe) May 29, 2020

Madonna: “Get out the car and dance for your PEOPLE David!”

Madonna’s son:pic.twitter.com/990dROZIKn

— Roronoa Zoro (@MoneyZoro) May 28, 2020

The oppression and racism leaving us after Madonna told her son to dance pic.twitter.com/9k4A4GCahz

— Daddy Bronxiana 🏳️‍🌈🦋 (@TarotByBronx) May 29, 2020