‘We can go up from here’

Madonna changes tune on criticism

NEW YORK: Madonna, an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, tried to put a positive spin on his inauguration.

“He’s actually doing us a great service because we have gone as low as we can go,” she said.

“We can only go up from here, so what are we going to do? We have two choices: destruction and creation. I chose creation.”

The superstar, dressed in all black and wearing a shirt that read “Feminist”, spoke at the Brooklyn Museum with artist Marilyn Minter about art in a time of protest, among other things, in a discussion moderated by author and poet Elizabeth Alexander, who performed a work at the first inauguration of former president Barack Obama.

A clip of author James Baldwin, who is Madonna’s inspiration, played before the talk, as did her 2013 short film Secret Revolution, dedicated to people whose rights have been abused and denied.

On Thursday, Madonna and Minter vowed to lead protests against him, including attending today’s Women’s March in Washington.

“This is the most frightened I’ve ever been. The most qualified candidate who ever ran was defeated by the most unqualified candidate who ever ran, and it’s all because of misogyny,” said Minter.

Madonna said that while she was “horrified” Trump won the election over Hillary Clinton, she now believes it was necessary.

“I do believe that Trump was elected for a reason, to show us how lazy, ununified and lackadaisical and takingfor-granted we’ve become of our freedom and the rights that we have as Americans. I feel like people forgot what was written in the constitution.

“They always say, ‘it’s darkest before the dawn’, and I feel this had to happen to bring people together, so let’s get this party started,” she said.

It wasn’t all political talk. Madonna talked about her early days in New York, being in contact with artists such as Andy Warhol and Keith Haring, and how her children are not the least bit impressed with her iconic career.

“They want nothing to do with it. I always say that with my kids, every day is a small crucifixion.”

Madonna also explained why she considers herself a feminist.

“I believe that women have the right to be treated with the same human rights as men. I feel like we are still very far behind.” – AP

PICTURE: AP Madonna poses for photographers upon arrival at the world premiere of the film ‘The Beatles, Eight Days a Week’ in London. She is trying to put a positive spin on US President Donald Trump’s inauguration.