With one photo, accompanied by one caption, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter broke the Internet yesterday, February 1st, with the announcement that she and her husband, Shawn Carter aka Jay-Z, are expecting twins.
Source: Beyoncé’s Instagram
The caption accompanying this *flawless* photo reads, “We would like to share our love and happiness. We have been blessed two times over. We are incredibly grateful that our family will be growing by two, and we thank you for your well wishes. – The Carters.” And with 36 eloquent words, the whole world stopped and celebrated.
I witnessed with my own two eyes the affect the news had on JMU’s campus. My friend interrupted a calm discussion with a shriek when she checked her phone. Someone ran across the Quad shouting, “Beyoncé is having twins! TWINS!” I received texts from three different people with the news.
While JMU campus was in an excited panic, Twitter erupted, fans and celebrities alike. While many of these tweets were celebratory and congratulatory, some made rather insightful, and comical, points. Let’s take a look at some of these tweets.
Twitter users focused on the current political climate:
- “Bey dropped this news right at the start of the 3rd Trump White House press briefing” –@katherinethompson
- “Sad that there are more black people in Beyoncé right now, than in Trumps entire cabinet team.” –@GrainneMaguire
- “Into each generation a slayer is born. They alone will face the vampires, the demons, and Donald Trump.” –@ira
- “The devil gave us @POTUS and god is sending us two carters @Beyonce” –@V7nue
Others had more serious nods to Black culture and oppression:
- “Black People: God, give us a sign you haven’t forsaken us!God: [image of Beyoncé’s Instagram post]” –@sylviaobell
- “Queen came through to give us new life in these dismal ass times. #Beyonce” – @janetmock
- “I just really want to thank Beyoncé Giselle Knowles and Shawn Carter for deciding to start our army for us so strategically.” –@SaraJBenincas
Source: Martin, Flickr
While I am immensely happy for the Carters, that their family is growing and that they are fortunate enough to be able to conceive and carry children to term, the events of the past two days has really made me start to wonder…
Why are we, the American people, so obsessed with celebrity lives? Why should I be screaming with joy when Beyoncé announces she’s pregnant but I don’t do this for any other stranger? After all, they are strangers to us; it’s not like I know the Carters personally (oh, how I wish I did, though!). We follow them on social media; we have news alerts with their names; we idolize them, envy them, and aspire to be them. But why? (That is not a rhetorical question-what do you think the reason is?)
Despite my contemplations of why I feel obliged to feel happy for the Carters, I am. I hope that Beyoncé has a safe and healthy pregnancy and these children bring joy and happiness to their lives. Slay, Queen. Hive forever.
Feature Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
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