Beyoncé's Album Cover Makes Complete Sense to Black Texans
Many misunderstood why she would choose to hold an American Flag, but the reason is clear.
When Beyoncé recently revealed the cover art for her new album, Cowboy Carter, the internet erupted as fans and critics tried deciphering the symbolism she had deployed.
The Houston native is photographed atop a horse, as she had been in her previous album, Renaissance. But there are distinct differences. The “Bianca Jagger at Studio 54” homage of Renaissance is replaced by the Americana-inspired Rodeo Queen of Cowboy Carter.
Beyoncé’s hands are no longer on the front and back of a horse. Instead, she’s firmly gripping the reins with one hand and a flagpole with the other – one carrying the United States flag.
At first glance, the album cover appears to be an overt endorsement of nationalism, leaving her social media critics confused. Why would Beyoncé— who had just accomplished her goal of creating “a safe space to connect and be in community together” during her Renaissance tour — now hold up a flag that for those on the receiving end of social injustice has come to represent imperialism, racism, and violence?