Last night’s Super Bowl Halftime Show was many things—bold, entertaining, and full of layers—but above all, it was a masterclass in storytelling.

Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar made history as the first solo rapper to headline the event, and he used every second of his 13-minute set to teach lesson after lesson.

I know enough about Lamar to consider myself a fan, but he’s not an artist who’s music I can recite from memory. Even so, I was excited to see what he would bring to the stage.

Between the red, white, and blue color scheme, actor Samuel L. Jackson as Uncle Sam, pointed imagery of Black culture in America, and (allegedly) calling out 47 (who was in attendance) as the “wrong guy,” Lamar didn’t hold back. I applaud him for that, especially at a time when so much of what is actually good and necessary in this country, like diversity, education, and freedom of speech, is under attack.

I couldn’t wait to wake up this morning and read all the deep dives into his performance. While there were the usual negative takes, racist commentary, and uninformed critiques, I loved seeing all the educated discussion about symbolism and storytelling and cultural significance.

And for those whose first reactions were “that was the worst Halftime Show ever” or “why didn’t the NFL choose someone more ‘family friendly?'” or “I’m not racist but…,” or “I just didn’t get it,” I would encourage you to get curious. You don’t have to enjoy a certain type of music to respect someone’s artistry and learn more about the message they are sharing.

Try using the same internet you so freely use to criticize others to instead educate yourself. Recognize there are things you don’t know yet but are fully capable of learning. And remember that ignorance is a choice.

Here’s a helpful starter guide, via Impact, to Lamar’s historic performance:

 

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And a few other posts about the show that I found educational, joyful, and in some cases, just hilarious:

 

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You can watch the full Super Bowl Halftime Show here.

Happy Black History Month!

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