Writer Says Miley Cyrus’ VMA Performance Was Racist

Photo Credit: MTV
Photo Credit: MTV

By: Taren Vaughan

The Miley Cyrus VMA performance is continuing to be the topic of conversation for those who found the show the singer put on to be highly offensive. Miley Cyrus has clearly ditched her “Hannah Montana” roots as the singer has taken on a new look and style that is far from Disney-friendly. Miley has made her interest in the Hip-Hop genre well known and has gone as far as to compare herself to Lil Kim. Miley Cyrus’ new found love for Hip-Hop has many people skeptical. And after a video of her kicking it with rapper French Montana hit the web, she got dragged like crazy on Twitter as Miley was repeatedly reminded of the color of her skin. As many people aren’t really feeling Miley’s new image, her fascination with twerking and rather raunchy performance at the VMAs are what people have a major problem with.

During her VMA performance, Miley Cyrus did what she loves to do most and twerked it out on stage with Robin Thicke close behind her. Numerous people found Miley’s provocative performance to be very inappropriate and over the top. And some felt it was flooded with racism. An African American female writer gave her take on Miley Cyrus’ VMA performance and says it was by far one of the most racist things she’s ever witnessed.

On Miley Cyrus’ VMA peformance, she says:

“What Miley did last night was easily one of the most racist displays I’ve ever seen. From her insistence on twerking, to her use of all black women as literal props (they were teddy bears) to her smacking of her dancer’s a*s and the simulation of rimming, it is very clear to me, that Miley thinks that black women’s bodies are to be enjoyed, devalued and put on display for entertainment purposes.”

The writer also calls Miley Cyrus out for going straight for the “urban” music and only showing one side of black culture as if it represents all black people:

“It is reductive and racist to present one subset of black culture as indicative as the whole,especially when there is a purposeful choice to choose the specific subset of culture that plays into existing white supremacist narratives about the stereotype of what it means to be black. Notice for instance, that Miley did not say “I want a black sound” and then head for the Duke Ellington or Louis Armstrong, or remake herself in the image of Janelle Monae and dabble inAfrofuturism. Nope. Instead she headed straight for the “urban” music, because that is, apparently, the entirety of black culture, and it represents all black people everywhere, regardless of individual experience.”

For those who didn’t catch Miley’s VMA performance, check out the clip of it below:

78 comments

  1. I think some of us already called Miley out for using a segment of black culture to get buzz and shed her good girl image weeks ago. But shout out to the sad souls who defended her and said it’s nothing wrong with what Miley is doing.

  2. I have to say I completely agree with this writer. I watched Miley’s performance and I was offended to see her slapping and grabbing the behinds of the black women on the stage with her like they were just toys. There is nothing groundbreaking about what Miley is doing. She’s a fraud and a soulless puppet doing whatever she can to get attention.

    1. So let me get this right she’s a racist for grabbing the black women’s behinds?!? So what does that say about the black men that degrade black women everyday and make sex symbols out of them?? Seriously this whole racist thing is getting old. Im sure if she only had all white women and white teddy bears you’ve have something to say about that too.

      1. I’m sorry, let me introduce myself. My name is Heather, and I’m an avid lover of Hip Hop. I comment on this blog quite frequently, and I’ve always expressed my disgust with ignorant rappers disrespecting black women and treating them like sexual objects. I’m not sleep like you, so I don’t defend white women who choose to be just as destructive and offensive to black women.

        Nice to meet you.

        1. Maybe you should take a break from hip hop blogs and log onto CNN. Alot bigger issues going on in our world than people trying to say this girl is racist for a dance and some damn teddy bears.

          1. You’re trying to divert attention from the fact that your argument was very weak. You actually remind me of the ignorant people who told black people we had no right to be angry about Trayvon Martin because of black on black crime. Yet, white on white crime is occurring in record numbers. People like you rely on diverting from the truth because it’s not the truth you prefer to talk about.

            FYI…please don’t tell me you’re also not intelligent enough to grasp the fact that people visit various websites of all subject matters in one day. Oh wait, you’re not.

          2. Lol. Im actually very much black so sorry you can’t compare me to a Trayvon basher. Now go have fun exploring your various websites. Hope your getting paid to do them all day.

          3. Where in my comment did I say your simple self was white? Work on your lack of reading comprehension skills before you try to make a point on here.

            And now you want to take shots at me for visiting multiple websites because in your little brain that means I don’t make time to earn a living. Please, just stop it. You make yourself look dumber with each response you type.

            Now go ahead and type “LOL” again like you’re actually laughing when we all know you’re really trying to think of something clever to say because you can’t demonstrate there’s a brain inside of that head of yours. Let me spare you the time, it ain’t in you dear.

            But I’ll do some charity and give you the last word. Just don’t think too hard, oh wait, you won’t. Go!!!!

      2. And if you actually read the whole article by clicking the link in the post to the full essay written by the writer, then you would know that she did mention she has issues with rappers treating black women like sexual objects, just as Miley did during her deplorable performance. But by all means, continue on with your false sense of “realism.”

        1. With the rate of our population being mixed races maybe one day people like you won’t be able to be so small minded and pull the race card. Sh-t is old now!

          1. Yawn. You bore me. Holler at me when you can have an actual discussion and stay on topic. You’re way too emotional. It’s not easy to bring something to the discussion and stay on topic, right?

        2. Heather, you’re right. You can tell who’s not that intelligent on here. They can’t even bring anything valuable to the discussion. They lack comprehension skills and say things like “next” as if they actually said anything valuable. Sigh…

      3. Heather stop!!!! #DEAD

        I have never seen you read anyone on here. Hilarity! I’m going to unsubscribe from this thread though because some of you Miley fans are in your feelings like she didn’t have it coming and it’s flooding my email. LOL!

      4. Exactly! People are too sensitive these days! Get over it. Wow I’m sure there are more important things to worry about…

        1. “I’m sure there are more important things to worry about…” << But yet, here you are on here going hard for Miley Cyrus. You wrote multiple comments too on this post, so maybe you should find something else more important to care about too genius. And go to CNN if you feel you should be discussing something more important. Damn.

          1. First off get out of your feelings like I said NOT that serious! And yes, there are more important things than getting upset about young girl twerking on stage and calling it racist. Why so sensitive??

          2. “First off get out of your feelings like I said NOT that serious!” >>> But here you are responding again with exclamation points. Get out of YOUR feelings too.

          3. ooooooooh you got me!!!!!!!! Yeah I’m in my feelings cause I used exclamation points?? Didn’t know that was an indicator for one being in their feelings. Now who’s the genius?

          4. “ooooooooh you got me!!!!!!!! Yeah I’m in my feelings cause I used exclamation points??” <<< Funny how you conveniently left out the other part about you caring too much because you keep responding. So what are you doing, refreshing the page to see how many more times you need to type it's not that serious? You're pressed. And maybe you shouldn't keep responding or using the punctuation mark used to indicate, I don't know EXCITEMENT and SERIOUSNESS if you don't care.

            "Now who’s the genius?" <<< Definitely not you. I mean you're using the exclamation point and writing responses for something you said isn't that serious.

          5. Actually I’m very excited that you’re still feeling some type of way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pressed? I think not, maybe you should stop responding yourself. I really don’t care, you’re just entertainment until I get off work. So keep responding to my comments and I’ll come right back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

          6. Yawn…you said absolutely nothing. What time do you get off tho? You’re boring on this subject, anything else you want to talk about? I get off at 4.

        2. But who are YOU though? Why do you think you have a right to tell people what they can get upset about? You’re not God. Your opinion doesn’t hold that much weight boo. If you disagree, just say you disagree with the writer. But your little superiority complex is childish.

          1. guess you needed the validation… only children need to be validated but ok. I’ll be the bigger person and let you have that. Hope you feel all grown up and stuff.

          2. Validation? I swear you type like a middle schooler. And for the record, I don’t need validation from someone who can’t even have a grown up conversation on a blog. You’re not even someone I would want to talk to in real life. I mean you say things like “next” in the middle of a discussion and can’t even disagree like an adult. I’m good boo. You can keep conversing with Realistic. You both are perfect for each other.

          3. “You mad?” That’s your best comeback? My goodness you have the IQ the size of a jellybean.

          4. didn’t know we needed “comebacks” my gosh talk about middle school, isn’t the whole comeback thing a little elementary??? I may have the IQ a jellybean as you say but at least I have the common sense not to let anything trivial bother me. You’re one big contradiction, you talk about having adult conversations but yet you aren’t behaving as an adult. Belitting someone’s intelligence because they have said something your adult self is offended by or just don’t like is not adult at all, it’s very childish. So if that’s being an adult you can keep it! Nessa get it together, now you have a good day and try not be so sensitive all the time. It’s all good on this end. Your opinion is your opinion and mine is mine. So if you’re offended by Miley please be offended that’s your God given right. But don’t feel some type of way or look down on those of us that aren’t. It is what it is.

          5. You and Heather must have recieved your PHD in blogging at the same spot. Because you both are just wayyyyy to smart for your own good. I bet your the same ratchet in the club “twerking” since that’s the African American dance now. #byefelicia

          6. I just laughed out loud at my desk at that whole comment. That’s a joke, right?

            1. You’ve been rude and condescending since the first comment. And if you’re not bothered, why are you still on here?

            2. Don’t pretend you’re not into comebacks when you’ve used language like “next” and “you mad.” I simply pointed out that your comebacks are weak. You’re the one using the language, I mean don’t try to act innocent now. If you’re not interested in arguing and acting like a hood rat, find better words to use. Saying “You mad” forces me not take you seriously and point out your small IQ.

            3. You belittled your own intelligence with your responses. I didn’t have to do much. FYI, I don’t have to respect someone who has shown me or no one else on here any respect because our opinions are different. You have nothing valuable to say and lack the intelligence, so now you want to take the high road? That’s laughable.

            4. And you should never speak about what it means to be an adult. You haven’t demonstrated yet that you’re not a child. You can’t even debate. Girl…please spare me with your lame attempts to flip the script. Just say you’re mentally exhausted, and I’ll understand.

          7. Realistic,

            I lose braincells every time I read your posts. I might clown Entyce, but she’s actually smarter than you and more entertaining to talk to. Please dismiss yourself. Haven’t you embarrassed yourself enough on here?

          8. wow someone is really feeling some type of way. this is just too fun! Maybe you’ll be on tomorrow, offended by something else and we can do this all over again! Now there’s your weak comeback. You so called “adults” and your games of let’s see who has the best comeback is fun, I can’t wait to grow up so I can play too! LOL have a good one Nessa! Thank you for using so much of your energy and time on little ol me, I even got the 4 well thought out examples of why I’m so important!!

          9. You should do research on who your speaking to on the internet. Entyce J is a man not a woman. But your rather boring yourself.

          10. “You should do research on who your speaking to on the internet. Entyce J is a man not a woman. But your rather boring yourself.”

            Oh wait, you’re the same person. Got it. And it’s “you’re” not “your.”

            Oh and I’m glad I helped your self esteem some today. People like yourself tend to think losing a debate is an ego stroke. Me, I just thought it was a discussion you were losing severely. But if it makes you feel good, then maybe our time wasn’t wasted. It’s not like you made any good points anyway, and I do like to help others.

            I’ll let you and your alter ego close this one on out. My hubby’s here to pick me up and I’m ready to go. The workday was long. I’ll have some drinks to your increased self of importance. Cheers! 🙂

  3. Miley is only doing this so she can pull a Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears. Watch, in a few years she will clean up her image and say she was just going through a “phase” and she’s such a better person now. She’s not doing anything new. These kid stars all do the same tired stunts.

  4. She is correct and don’t forget about all these black rappers exploiting her trying to attach their names to hers for exposure. Juicy J, and the producer Mike Will and now I hear she will be on Kanye’s remix black skin head she doesn’t understand she is nothing more then a prop.

  5. Wow! I need to share this because way too many of us are praising this girl for mocking our race. Damn shame too!

  6. So sis you decided to write Epic Content!!…I love this Blog Post!! I felt the exact same way…I could not believe that so many Black People didn’t get pissed about this….this Black Women Twerk thing is fully pissing me off! And not that I would want to take credit(as Black people) for inventing Twerking…but we have been Twerking on Youatube for years….she is doing nothing new and I think that people of color need to look at that performance….Excellent Blog Post Sis!!!!

    1. No because she definitely wasn’t twerking. I never seen someone twerk with their back cause she has no azz.

    2. Girl no, I was just waiting for her little demonic self to start puking green stuff on stage and for her head to start turning.

  7. I agree with everything she wrote. I am so sick and tired of Miley Cyrus. She made a fool of herself and threw black women under the bus in the process. Why aren’t more of us outraged?!

  8. Miley is just loving the attention. She thinks it will help her become the new Madonna. She’s sadly mistaken.

  9. I completely agree. The women who performed on stage with her should be embarassed too. I know everyone needs a paycheck but come on. Are you proud to say you were disrespected by a white 20 year old girl in front of millions of people while wearing a teddy bear?

  10. One..thank you UB for doing me this favor and posting about Miley. I asked and you came through. You are appreciated.

    Two..Miley Cyrus is a disgusting symbol of when whites take a piece of black culture to elevate themselves. Let’s not forget Miley is the same person who just said a few years ago she had never heard a Jay Z song in her life. Now all of a sudden she’s twerking and hanging with rappers? Why would she change so drastically? For selfish reasons like shed the Disney star image and become the next “rebellious” pop star.

    And if that’s not annoying enough, she literally ripped off everything we’ve come to hate about Rihanna. I’m no Rihanna fan but it has to annoy the hell out of her that Miley is in her face rocking her steez. And it’s working! She’s all over the press and her songs will do well. But I will not help her succeed. Nope, I won’t. She won’t get my support while she mocks my race and my people for a headline.

    1. OMG! I thought I was the only one who remembered the comment that she made a few years back in reference to her ” Party in the USA” song, when she was asked about the Jay-Z referenece and she had stated that she had never listened to a Jay-Z song in her life….. I do NOT appreciate anything this young white female is doing in reference to our culture either, she needs to find an new “gimmick” and stop continuing to defile us black women to sale some records.

  11. Miley is a sad situation. She thinks she’s being cool acting the why she does. I applaud the writer for speaking the truth.

  12. Where I am from, we r still trying to elevate our families from the hood so I dont get the whole hood glorification thing but to each their own. This display from little girl lost was vulgar & disgusting not to mention horrifying & extremely awkward to watch. I don’t know any self respecting black women who would embarrass themselves this way. It seems way more trailer trash than hood to me.

  13. Miley Miley..She knew exactly what she was doing. I would not call —
    what she did racist. I think her performance could have been a big deal if was done with taste. I also blame MTV and Thicke for being a party to such a shocking acts of sexuality. Mind MTV is not for kids. My question would be why isn’t anyone blamen MTV or Thicke.

  14. Also shaken your a*$$ is not part of black culture twerking
    just a silly dance and if done Miley performance way not classy.

  15. Oh please…. racist???? smh… people are offended by everything now. Was her performance a little bit much? Yes. Was it racist? Heck no. Maybe it’s just me, as a black person myself, I was more bothered by her outfit and her oddly shaped rear versus the performance.

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