Finding Us (Interracial Romance)

Revelations and Reckonings

Cecilia

Two weeks. 

It's been two weeks and I'm still reeling from the night of the Grammy Awards that took place. Sam Smith and Kim Petras' performance of "Unholy" keeps replaying in my mind like a horror movie on loop. The dark, demonic imagery left me feeling nauseous, a cold shiver running down my spine. The applause and cheers from the audience only amplified the dread, as if the world had turned upside down, and I, along with my friends and cousins, were the only ones who noticed the grotesque display of evil.

I sit on my bed, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling. My apartment is usually my sanctuary, filled with warmth and comfort, but this evening feels cold and uninviting. I grab my phone, hoping to distract myself with something lighthearted to avert from such dark elements. As I scroll through YouTube, a video thumbnail catches my eye. It's a podcast featuring my cousins, Reagan and Stella with Cousin Misty. The title reads: "Exposing Demonic Artists - The Truth About the Music Industry" with an image of Sam Smith in his devil outfit from the Grammy's, joined with images of Travis Scott, Lizzo, Katy Perry, Usher, Lil Uzi Vert, Taylor Swift, Lil Nas X, Jay Z, and Beyoncé pasted on the thumbnail.

Curiosity piqued, I click on the video. Reagan and Stella appear on the screen, their expressions serious. I've always admired their confidence and conviction, but today, it feels different. They seem almost somber, as if they're about to reveal a dark secret.

"Hey, everyone," Reagan begins, her voice steady. "Welcome back to our channel. To the newcomers who are watching this video or cave came across our channel, I'm Reagan."

"And I'm Reagan's oldest sister, Stella," Cousin Stella smiles before it morphs into a serious tight-lipped expression. "We need to talk about some of your favorite artists, who are in fact demonic and the disturbing trend we're seeing in the music industry," Cousin Reagan addresses.

Cousin Stella nods in agreement. "We've seen a lot of performances that glorify dark and demonic themes, and it's becoming more blatant. But today, we want to start on Beyoncé— To the Bey Hive, don't come for us."

My heart skips a beat. Beyoncé has been my idol—scratch that, one of my role models since I was a little girl and according to the Bible, it's wrong to idolize celebrities. Especially in the Ten Commandments where the first commandment clearly states, "You shall have no other gods before me." 

As for Beyoncé's music, her presence, her power—she's been a source of inspiration for me, even back in the Destiny's Child era. I used to listen and sing almost every songs from both Destiny's Child and songs from her solo career when I was little and growing up. I lean forward, my eyes glued to the screen.

Reagan continues, "Beyoncé has become a symbol of empowerment for many, but there's a side to her that the mainstream media doesn't show. We've done our research and we found some disturbing information about her involvement in witchcraft and the occult."

My mind races, trying to process what I'm hearing. Witchcraft? The occult? This can't be true. There must be some mistake.

Stella takes over, her tone firm. "Beyoncé has openly worships this African deity Oshun, a goddess associated with love, fertility, and rivers. In Black is King, there were loads of symbolism of African deities. While some may see this as embracing her heritage, it's important to recognize that Oshun is a pagan deity, not the true living God that is Jesus Christ."

"Yeah, there was a video where she was backstage with her team and she was praying, 'Father Mother God.' I was like, whaaat? Uh-uh. Uh-uh," Cousin Reagan shakes her head disapprovingly. "I'm not rocking with that demonic witchcraft shit at all. Period."