“Cowboy Carter” isn’t just a country album. It is an American reclamation for those who’ve always had to hyphenate.
To see Beyoncé both on stage and quite literally flying around stadiums in her Stetson hats and American flag-inspired couture is a pledge of its own. We’re here. This country ‘tis of thee. And its cruel complications are inescapable. “Why don’t you love me,” she sings.
Our flag has been used and abused by insurrectionists and the far right to equate greatness to hate and autocracy. Our flag is never free of 1976 when Ted Landsmark was on his way to a City Hall meeting in Boston and was attacked by young, white, anti-integration anti-bussers. The flag, unlike their fists and kicks, never touched him. It missed. Though it was waved at him with rage and pointed like a sword.
