Reclaiming Space: Beyoncé at the CMAs

Apparently, being black and being present can be a political statement in itself. The CMAs received backlash following Beyoncé's performance, most of which came from a very conservative demographic (read as racist). Considering country music's roots in the blues, the idea of rejecting one of mainstream music's most prolific icons based on the fact that she is black or because she sings R&B is ironic to the point of absurdity. The fact that blackness in country music is rarely acknowledged or represented is unnerving. Perhaps more of these types of appearances could cure some of the ignorance. 

Check out the performance here: