Ferguson #BlackLivesMatter Movement Takes Center Stage at the Grammys

Screenshot via CBS

Beyonce's backup dancers perform the "Hands up; don't shoot" gesture during Bey's rendition of "Take My Hand, Precious Lord," from the Selma soundtrack.

The 57th Annual Grammy Awards came and went this weekend, and among the hobnobbing and gift-bag-grabbing and other general music-industry handjobbery -- not to mention that well-deserved award taken home by our local symphony -- were repeated references to Ferguson, the #BlackLivesMatter movement and the iconic "Hands up; don't shoot" gesture that has become its symbol.

See also: St. Louis Symphony Wins Grammy for City Noir, First Since 1991

Three performances in particular made overt nods to the cause:

Beyonce's rendition of "Take My Hand, Precious Lord," from the Selma soundtrack, featured the singer surrounded by her backup dancers, who slowly raised their hands, palms facing out, near the beginning of the song (pictured above).

Screenshot via CBS

Pharrell's backup dancers wore black hooded sweatshirts to honor Trayvon Martin, and also raised their hands in a familiar pose.

The opening portion of Pharrell's "Happy" was presented in a darker and far more morose fashion than might be expected from such an upbeat song. His backup dancers were all dressed in black hooded sweatshirts -- a nod to the late Trayvon Martin -- and they and Williams all together threw their hands toward the sky in the "Hands up" pose just before the song kicked into its chorus. An unexpected piano break that preceded drew everyone's attention to the gesture, just before the song broke back into its infectious melody.

The result was jarring and poignant, and a fascinating juxtaposition to the song's everything-is-great-hey-let's-dance modus operandi.

Screenshot via CBS

Rapper Common raised his hands while mentioning Ferguson in the lyrics to his and John Legend's song "Glory," also from the Selma soundtrack.

Common and John Legend showed their support for the #BlackLivesMatter movement as well, performing their song "Glory," which also appeared on the soundtrack from Selma. The lyrics mention Ferguson specifically:

That's why we walk through Ferguson with our hands up
When it go down we woman and man up
They say, "Stay down", and we stand up
Shots, we on the ground, the camera panned up
King pointed to the mountain top and we ran up

See also: Common Leads VMAs in Moment of Silence for Mike Brown, Kardashians Check Phones

At this point in the song, naturally, Common raised his hands to the air.

Driving the point home, no less than Prince, the Purple One himself, even referenced the movement while presenting the award for Album of the Year.

"Albums still matter. Likes books and black lives," he said with a smile, "albums still matter."

Who could dare argue with Prince? Sit down, naysayers; grown-ups are talking.

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