I mean, honestly. Aren’t we all only watching so we can see the Black people perform and win awards? Isn’t that what we’ve always done? At least, it’s what I’ve always done. I’ve always been “rooting for everybody black” – word to Issa Rae. I remember being a kid and skipping those unsavory performances of country, pop, or rock artists whom I knew nothing about. I couldn’t bear sitting through the poor vocals or bad tracks. Or just simply non-vibrant and non-colorful performances. I want to see a show of amazing talent. Like Kendrick’s first Grammy’s performance, or Beyonce’s legendary “Dangerously in Love” performance at the 2004 Grammy’s.  

Sunday's Grammy's was meh; but the #BlackExcellence was shinging! Childish Gambino gave us a fire rendition of “Terrified”, Cardi B and Bruno Mars (I know he’s not Black, but he’s been gang for awhile) had us completely live in our living rooms, and K.Dot & Dave Chappelle gave us the Black power performance we needed to survive the work week.   

Now, last night, Black music had a real shining hour. K.Dot  & Rihanna won Best Rap/Sung Performance (the first award of the night) for “Loyalty”, K.Dot won Best Rap Album for “DAMN.”, Bruno Mars won Best R&B Album for “24K Magic”, and Bruno Mars won Song of the Year for “That’s What I Like”. Bruno clearly swept the night. 

With that, we know that there were other performers and we know there were other winners. But we don’t really care. Because I know that I’m going to have to explain to someone why we were all rooting for everybody Black. So, here’s your explanation so you don’t have to ask again.

BECAUSE WE’RE ALWAYS GETTING SNUBBED AND IT’S TIME WE COLLECT OUR THINGS! ALL OUR THINGS!

That’s it.

So, please don’t ask your coworkers or friends or fellow classmates why we’re always rooting for everybody Black. Because we are. We are.

We had to create our very own awards shows in the likes of the BET awards, the BET Hip-Hop awards, The Soul Train Awards, the NAACP Image Awards, etc., just so that the excellent amongst us can be recognized. So, don’t ask why we’re only rooting for everybody black. Because for way too long, we’ve had to sit back and watch our excellent and Black get snubbed at every awards show.

So, the answer is, Black people are just watching for the Black performances and award categories.