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Chance Shows Young Black Men That It's Okay To Smile

It's okay Chance, we all fangirl around Beyoncé.

Oct 17, 2016

Chance Shows Young Black Men That It's Okay To Smile

In a world where our newsfeeds are regularly inundated with viral photos, videos, and accounts of African-American males' deaths, it's nice to know that there is still a reason to smile. I didn't give a lot of thought to the MTV VMA's at all this past August. I don't even know anyone that still watches music videos and I don't think I've watched the entire program since the three-way kiss between Britney, Madonna, and Christina (formerly known as Xtina by 90s babies). I began to scroll through Twitter late that evening and kept seeing mentions of Chance the Rapper in relation to Beyoncé. Needless to say, I was very confused.

The moment Twitter went crazy over is one that is certainly hashtag-worthy. Queen B, in all of her Yoncé glory, sneaks up right behind Chance during the middle of an interview and places her head neatly on Chance's shoulder. When he realizes it was the woman that coined the term "bootylicious," magical things happen:

Chance's reaction is all of us if Beyoncé were to ever grace our shoulder with her head. Pure joy and elation are the only things to describe Chance's face. I love it when celebrities fangirl/stan for other celebrities (i.e. Jennifer Lawrence and any other celebrity) but it's another thing to actually see it. Chance's reaction is so genuine and I can't remember the last time I watched a video of a Black man and smiled. The last few years there have been so many different hashtags related to African-American men, but very few have been positive. Almost all have been related to death. Discovering a hashtag/trending topic that speaks purely to Black joy is not only necessary but overwhelmingly purposeful in putting positive Black imagery out to the world.

I need this gif to be the background on my phone, or at least a still shot. I want to send this to everyone I know because I want them to be this happy if only for a few seconds. Even the way he dips down in his reaction to Beyoncé is completely adorable. I think I'm going to do this the next time my mom hugs me or touches my shoulder just to show my appreciation and show her how happy she makes me.

#BlackBoyJoy (and the subsequent hastings of #BlackBoyMagic and #BlackBoysBreakTheInternet) looks to change up the type of imagery that is on the internet for young people of color to see. C'mon, can you honestly look at Chance's reaction and not smile? Type some of these hashtags into various social media platforms and you will be amazed at all of the smiling, achieving, and brave Black and Brown faces. Even months after the award show, the message still stands. #BlackBoyJoy is here and I really hope it's here to stay.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Chance Shows Young Black Men That It's Okay To Smile

It's okay Chance, we all fangirl around Beyoncé.

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

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