The Steadfastness of Megan Thee Stallion
When TMZ broke the story of Megan Thee Stallion being shot, Megan’s suffering quickly turned into a story that reflects social issues in the U.S.
Jokes about the shooting quickly circulated the internet. Some even defended Tory Lanez, the Canadian rapper who allegedly shot Megan.
This left Megan to defend herself when she wasn’t ready to discuss the situation.
While Megan didn’t initially tell police who had shot her, she eventually took to Instagram to name Tory Lanez as the perpetrator.
In the video Megan discusses being fearful of telling the police Tory Lanez had shot her due to fear of how the police would respond and not wanting harm to come to anyone involved. This reflects two social issues. One, the mistrust police have created between themselves and the citizens they are supposed to be serving. Two, women are often harmed by men close to them.
Tory Lanez has since been charged with assaulting Megan Thee Stallion.
Since the incident, Megan has seemingly regained her strength, physically and mentally.
During her SNL performance on Oct. 3, Megan utilized her time to bring attention to the injustices black women and men face.
One of the strongest points of the performance was when Megan’s vocals on “Savage” halted and audio of Tamika Mallory’s speech played.
“Daniel Cameron is no different than the sellout Negroes that sold our people into slavery,” Mallory said. Mallory delivered her speech on Sept. 25, two days after Kentucky attorney general Daniel Cameron announced that no officer would be indicted for the murder of Breonna Taylor.
Megan, who’s own life was put in danger less than three months prior to her performance, stood fist raised in front of a screen that read “Protect Black Women”. This final gesture symbolized what Megan is letting the world know. Her own strength is her salvation and no one can take it from her.
On Oct. 13, The New York Times published an op-ed written by Megan. She briefly discusses her own trauma, however the piece focuses on the suffering, and the tenacity, of black women as a whole.
This is what makes Megan Thee Stallion a figure of resilience. She has faced criticism for her silence, then was mocked and called a “snitch” when she came forward with the details of her assault. Now, she seems dead set on using her platform to make people stand in the discomfort and face the realities of racial and gender inequality in America.
And I never want her to stop.
