Beyonce is a shrewd businesswoman. She doesn’t dwell on her haters. She profits off them.
Pictures of the merch stand for the first show on her Formation World Tour have been popping up on social media, and the star of “Lemonade” is taking a swipe at those who have taken offense at the social commentary in her music. Back in February, Beyonce performed a dance routine during the Super Bowl halftime show and released a music video for “Formation” that were both inspired by #BlackLivesMatter and the Black Panther movement. In response to both, the Miami Fraternal Order of Police called for Miami police officers to refuse to provide off-duty security for Beyonce’s kickoff tour date at Marlins Park.
“I have so much admiration and respect for officers and the families of officers who sacrifice themselves to keep us safe,” responded Beyonce in an interview with Elle. “But let’s be clear: I am against police brutality and injustice.”
Despite the boycott threats, a spokesman for the Miami Police Department told the Miami New Times that the concert “will be fully staffed.” Now that the boycott has died down, Beyonce and her team are using the news story to make a buck, selling shirts and phone cases that read “Boycott Beyonce” in blazing red letters.
Beyoncé is selling BOYCOTT BEYONCÉ t-shirts as tour merch ???? pic.twitter.com/zjD3HcV7XG
— Beyoncé Australia (@BeyonceAUS) April 27, 2016
Capitalism at its funniest! Beyoncé selling her own Boycott Beyoncé shirts, trolling critics and “protesters”???? pic.twitter.com/2PaXTRwfYm
— Juliana J. Bolden (@JulianaJai) April 27, 2016