Edited by Azizi Powell
This post showcases two videos of Michael Jackson impersonator Dimitri Reeves dancing to "Beat It" and to other Michael Jackson songs during the April 27, 2015 Freddie Gray protests in Baltimore, Maryland. This post also includes a long excerpt from an article about Dimitri Reeves' dancing that includes an interview with Reeves in which he shares why he did those performances during that protest. Selected comments from two other discussion threads about Reeves' performances are also included in this post.
The Addendum of this post includes the slang meaning of "beat it" tht applies to this song. The Addendum also includes the official Michael Jackson video of "Beat It" and the lyrics to this hit record.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, motivational, and entertainment purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Michael Jackson for composing and performing these songs, and thanks to Dimitri Reeves for his dance performances during those protests. Thanks also to all those who are protesting non-violently in Baltimore & elsewhere for justice. And thanks also to NBC reporter Shomari Stone (and possibly others) for filming these performances. Also, thanks to all those who are quoted in this post, and thanks to all publishers of these videos on YouTube.
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INFORMATION ABOUT THESE PERFORMANCES
From http://kfor.com/2015/04/28/man-dances-to-michael-jacksons-beat-it-during-baltimore-riots/ "Man dances to Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat It’ during Baltimore riots", Posted 2:56 pm, April 28, 2015, by Dallas Franklin & KFOR-TV
"While buildings and cars across Baltimore were engulfed in flames, one man took to the streets to “spread love and peace” while dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.”
NBC reporter Shomari Stone recently captured footage of Dimitri Reeves dancing in the street to the hit song, according to Mashable.
Hours after the funeral for Freddie Gray, who died of a severe spinal cord injury while in police custody, about a dozen businesses were looted or damaged and at least 15 officers were wounded.
While others were rioting, Dimitri was seen channeling his inner Michael Jackson on top of a truck...
[Dimitri said]... they heard the music. I did “Will You Be There,” “You Are Not Alone,” “Man in the Mirror,” “Beat It.” Most people thought I was trying be funny, but I wasn’t trying to be funny at all. That wasn’t my mindset at all,” Dimitri said. “I just wanted to take people’s minds off of what was going on in that area. We were right in the middle of it. On one side there was a fire. On the other side was a police force with riot shields and every thing.”
Dimitri says his message is simple.
“Think. It’s as simple as that. My message to people is just to think before you react. We’re just so quick to react that — just think about what we’re doing here. That’s the only thing I can say: just think,” he told Mediaite."...
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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: BALTIMORE PROTESTER DANCING MICHAEL JACKSON's BEAT IT
OMGtv Published on Apr 28, 2015
Baltimore Michael Jackson's Beat It
Protester Dancing Baltimore
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Example #2: Michael Jackson’ dancing protester rocks Baltimore rally
RT Published on Apr 28, 2015
As protests continue to sweep Baltimore over the death of Freddie Gray, Michael Jackson impersonator Dimitri Reeves was spotted entertaining the crowds atop of a parked truck on Tuesday.
-snip-
It should be noted that the protests in Baltimore, Maryland on Monday, April 27, 2015 turned violent with some stores and other buildings burned and looted. However, the next day the protests were peaceful and included planned or impromptu performances by a brass band, marching bands, drill teams, and roller skating dancers, among others with the intent to change the dynamics and return to peaceful protests. A number of reporters indicated that the atmosphere was somewhat festive "like a block party". Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iphTbMEYPgA for a short video of a marching band at the Baltimore protests (April 28, 2015).
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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM TWO OTHER VIDEOS DIMITRI REEVES DANCING TO "BEAT IT" DURING THE BALTIMIRE FREDDY GRAY PROTESTS
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVaDWeMg1AM
John Rusindo, April 28, 2015
"He's obviously telling everyone to Beat it, he's the peace maker in all of this."
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RickXTN, April 28, 2015
"+John Rusindo You got it! He spreading the message of the song. "It doesn't matter who's wrong or right just beat it!" The fact that this is starting to go viral means the message is getting across. :-)
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aj619aj, April 28, 2015
"He's actually symbolic by dancing this dude spreading a message..."
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jackie sanders, 2015
"LOL...Just listen to the words! It looks like he is dancing in front of the police"
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From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQRmN4a-GX4 "Beat it, as performed during the Baltimore riots"
Ghetto Lisa, April 29, 2015
"Some people may be laughing but the song Beat It has a message and it speaks everything the people should just do. I applaud him for doing positive rather than negative."...
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Kalib Shapiro, April 29, 2015
"+Ghetto Lisa Your playing with your life this ain't no truth or dare. they'll beat you, they'll kick you, and they'll tell you it's fair. so beat it."
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Twilight Angel, April 29, 2015
"Now that's how you make a statement."
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ADDENDUM
WHAT "BEAT IT" MEANS (in the context of Michael Jackson's record)
One slang meaning of "beat it" is "to leave"; to "get out of here"(probably from the phrase "to beat a path of retreat".)
In the official video for Michael Jackson's 1982 record "Beat It", he said those words and gave other advive to two rival gangs who were preparing to fight.
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MICHAEL JACKSON'S "BEAT IT" VIDEO
Michael Jackson - Beat It (Digitally Restored Version)
michaeljacksonVEVO Uploaded on Apr 11, 2011
Music video by Michael Jackson performing Beat It. © 1982 MJJ Productions Inc.
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LYRICS - BEAT IT
(written by Michael Jackson)
They told him don't you ever come around here
Don't want to see your face, you better disappear
The fire's in their eyes and their words are really clear
So beat it, just beat it
You better run, you better do what you can
Don't want to see no blood, don't be a macho man
You want to be tough, better do what you can
So beat it, but you want to be bad
Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it
Just beat it, beat it
Just beat it, beat it
Just beat it, beat it
They're out to get you, better leave while you can
Don't want to be a boy, you want to be a man
You want to stay alive, better do what you can
So beat it, just beat it
You have to show them that you're really not scared
You're playin' with your life, this ain't no truth or dare
They'll kick you, then they beat you,
Then they'll tell you it's fair
So beat it, but you want to be bad
Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it
Beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or who's right
Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it
Beat it, beat it, beat it
Source: http://www.metrolyrics.com/beat-it-lyrics-michael-jackson.html
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