It does this through controlling what language we see as “proper,” what we view as “professional.” It does this by demanding that we see only cultures associated with itself as refined and high brow.

Controlling the narrative of history is crucial to whiteness maintaining the power it holds in white supremacy culture. It does this through making things like African American studies elective.

I don’t pretend to think that doing the right thing always ends up in individual wins, but I love to see people who do the right thing win anyways.

All of this is to say tonight I hope she had a beautiful night for everyone who knew they would face consequences for standing on the right side of history and did it anyway.

Now many people who did the same thing lost work and relationships and we can’t pretend that she does not hold important privileges that others don’t. That she has a positionality that others may not. At the same time I’m sure she has also faced repercussions for her refusal to remain complicit.

(Needless to say this is also true of the fact that it was her first Album of the Year win too)