Beyoncé, America & The Limits Of Reclamation

In latest weeks the phrase reclamation has been used quite a bit, primarily with regard to Beyoncé and her new nation album. On the album’s cowl the singer sits facet saddle on a white horse whereas holding the American flag. The picture is placing, inflicting straightforward provocation. A Black lady in possession of one of many nation’s most hallowed symbols, wearing rodeo garb, driving off on a horse as her platinum blonde hair blows within the wind. One wonders the place she’ll have us observe her on that white horse she’s on. In one other picture, she reinterprets herself because the Statue of Liberty as an alternative of being adorned in gaudy inexperienced paint, she permits her lengthy braids and sash to cowl her in any other case bare physique whereas she stands tall, buying and selling the torch for a lit cigar.