Ever get the feeling some people are fervently looking for reasons to get angry? Here's one: Madonna recently posted photos on her Instagram of some of her heroes -- Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, John Lennon, and Bob Marley -- along with a photo of herself that is making lots of folks jump to all sorts of silly conclusions and say that the pop singer fancies herself a freedom fighter along the same lines as MLK. Well, perhaps she does believe she fights for freedom -- and I could argue she has always fought for freedom of expression -- but her photos and the message she is trying to deliver with them are so obvious that it's disappointing to think anyone would make this into a thing.
Madonna's upcoming album is called Rebel Hearts -- the cover of which can be seen here. In an effort to promote it -- and self-promo is something the singer has always excelled at -- she has photoshopped the image so that icons like Marilyn Monroe and Homer Simpson are featured with their famous faces wrapped in black rope. Here's an example of one that didn't piss everyone off:
Apparently, doctoring Homer doesn't get you in hot water, but doing the same to MLK does:
Lots of people got the idea that Madonna was comparing herself to the civil rights leader and trying to make a grandiose statement about how she is plagued by the same struggles as MLK and Nelson Mandela -- whose image she also photoshopped.
Oi. Calm down, Internet.
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Because people love to be offended by everything, Madonna, I guess, realized she had to explain herself, which makes me a little sad because you're effing MADONNA. Don't explain yourself. But, anyway, she posted this photo of John Lennon with the following caption:
I would like to thank all my fans for recreating my album cover with the Rebel Heart ribbon on the faces of so many Great Hero's. It shows that you are also celebrating and in admiration of these great freedom fighters! When I repost these images i am saying YES! These people are all Rebel Hearts in one way or another from Martin Luther King to Jesus to Nelson Mandela to John Lennon. YES! Lets celebrate them! The world needs more people like them. I hope to one day accomplish. 1 100th of what these Rebel Hearts have accomplished. As I Said in a previous post "I walk in the footsteps of Giants" and i will continue to do so G*D willing. They are my guiding light. #rebelheart�#livingforloveFollow
Let's hope that puts an end to this so-called scandal. Sigh.
Do you think Madonna's photos make it seem as if she's comparing herself to MLK, Nelson Mandela, and other greats?
Images via madonna/Instagram