Last night Blue Ivy's mom, Beyoncé, performed for over 20 minutes at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) where she was the recipient of the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. She was presented the award by her husband, Jay Z, and her deliciously gorgeous 2-year-old daughter. It was a brilliant performance, and as much as I love seeing little Blue as much as anyone who is a drooling fan of Mrs. Carter and beautiful babies, I can't help but feel a little creeped out by how much attention this toddler, even though she is an amazingly famous one, receives. She's just a baby.
Photo credit: daniloexe.tumblr.com/MTV
Sure, Hova and Bey made the decision to drag little Blue out on a preschool night and subject her to the world, and the paparazzi, and weirdos like me who adore seeing Blue Ivy make public appearances, instead of leaving her home with one of her (probably) countless nannies — and that's their right as parents. If you are looking for some pearl-clutching over how this makes the Carters bad parents you have come to the wrong place. But I can't help but feel sort of sad that this child is receiving the sort of attention she is because at just 2 years old, we (meaning you and me) have no idea what sort of adult she will be. Blue Ivy could grow up to be a rocket scientist or a brain surgeon or a librarian or a mom who resents the fact her parents showed her to the world when she doesn't even know how to tie her shoes yet. And as beautiful as this child is, she is no more beautiful than any other ankle-biter, and she has tantrums and teethes and sticks her fingers where they don't belong and refuses to eat her mashed squash just like any other toddler.
Don't even get me started on the fetishization of beautiful little black girls in our society, because I do think that plays a part in our fascination with Blue. Like when there was a whole lot of hand-wringing over how her mom did her hair. Sure, Beyoncé may be the most famous entertainer on the planet, but back in her day I don't remember anyone being as rabidly fascinated with Madonna's daughter Lourdes. I do like seeing Blue, but I feel bad about it, because she is not the world's baby. She is not my baby, and she is not your baby. And she deserves to just be a baby without everyone gawking at her.
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