Beyoncé’s Flag Post Hit a Nerve; GOOD!

Beyoncé posted a flag, and the internet lost it. Why can’t Black Americans celebrate a country we built? This one’s gonna ruffle some flags.

Author

Dale Harris
July 08, 2025

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Good morning, BFA Fam! Hope everyone had a safe and joyful 4th of July, whether you were watching fireworks, catching a break, or just posted up by the grill. Speaking of grilling, Ja Rule made headlines this week claiming he’s the undisputed king of the cookout and says he’s ready to battle anyone. Bold claim, but let’s be real; grilling is an Olympic sport on the 4th.

MAIN STORY

🔥 Built It But Can’t Claim It: Why Beyoncé’s July 4th Post Hit a Nerve

A stylized digital collage of a confident Black woman resembling Beyoncé standing in front of a large, rippling American flag with vibrant fireworks bursting in the night sky behind her. She wears a navy-blue blazer over a red, white, and blue outfit, and her expression is proud and serious. The image evokes themes of patriotism, identity, and cultural pride.

⚡ THE SPARK

Beyoncé posted a 4th of July photo draped in the American flag, and the internet damn near exploded.

Some called it performative. Others called it betrayal. One tweet said, “You can’t be pro-Black and patriotic.” But here’s the truth: we built this country. Every brick in the Capitol. Every inch of the White House lawn. Built by hands that were never paid and still aren’t fully free.

So why does it make people uncomfortable when a Black woman, arguably the most influential of our time, claims space in a country we’ve never stopped building?

🧠 THE LAYER BELOW

  • The Declaration of Independence promised "all men are created equal," yet on July 4, 1776, over half a million Black people remained enslaved, their labor building the very nation that denied their freedom.

  • Frederick Douglass famously asked, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" a question that resonates today as Black Americans grapple with a holiday celebrating an independence they were largely excluded from.

  • While some Black Americans view the 4th of July as a personal day for family and barbecue, others see it as a painful reminder of historical and ongoing injustices.

  • The argument that Black Americans "built this country" (e.g., the White House, U.S. Capitol) but still "can’t claim it" fully speaks to the profound disconnect between labor and liberty.

  • The rise of Juneteenth as a recognized federal holiday highlights a desire for a more authentic celebration of Black liberation, a counter-narrative to the traditional July 4th.

  • Personal protest: Some Black Americans opt out of July 4, viewing participation as endorsing a narrative that erased their ancestors’ suffering.

  • The tension surrounding her July 4th imagery showcases the ongoing national debate about who truly "owns" American patriotism and what it means to be free.

🎯 THE REAL QUESTION

If the flag only belongs to white folks, what exactly are we fighting for?

🔮 WHAT’S NEXT

It’s time we stop letting people decide which parts of America we’re allowed to claim. Our patriotism may not look like fireworks and blind loyalty, but it’s no less valid.

Being pro-Black and critical of America doesn't mean we don't belong here, it means we care enough to demand better. And if Beyoncé can wave the flag and still call out the system, so can we.

We don’t need permission to love this country differently.

We are not guests here. We are the foundation.

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🏡 Inside Steve Harvey’s $15M Atlanta Mansion Once Owned by Tyler Perry; Complete with a 70,000-Gallon Infinity Pool

🎥 Ryan Coogler’s SINNERS Now Streaming on HBO Max; Making History with Black American Sign Language

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THE FLIP SIDE

Cardi b

💔 Cardi B Deletes Stefon Diggs Pics, Sparks Breakup Buzz Amid Album Rollout. Cardi B just dropped the release date for her new album Am I The Drama? But fans are more focused on her deleting all traces of NFL star Stefon Diggs from Instagram. After going public in June, the move has sparked breakup rumors, though some believe it’s just part of her album strategy. While Cardi stuns at Paris Fashion Week and preps for a tour, her love life remains a mystery, fueling even more online speculation. (Yahoo Entertainment)

💟 Baltimore Hits 50-Year Low in Homicides: Black-Led Cities Nationwide See Similar Crime Drops. Baltimore just recorded its fewest homicides in 50 years, with only 68 killings through June 2025, a major win for Mayor Brandon Scott. The drop is part of a broader trend across Black-led cities like Chicago, Atlanta, and Cleveland, all seeing steep declines in violent crime. Leaders credit a mix of focused policing, community investment, and anti-gun initiatives. These results challenge stereotypes about Democratic and Black-led cities, proving that creative safety strategies are working. (MSN)

💵 Dave Ramsey’s Wake-Up Call: 2 Big Buys That Keep the Middle Class Broke. Dave Ramsey is sounding the alarm on five spending habits draining middle-class wealth; but two stand out. First, he slams new car purchases with high monthly payments, calling them a fast track to financial stagnation. Second, he warns against splurging on luxury goods just to look rich, arguing that real wealth comes from assets, not designer labels. These two traps are keeping families stuck. Want to know the other three? Click the link to read the full list. (New Trader U)

🤔 “What Happened to the Boy?”: Jaden Smith’s Childhood Interview Resurfaces, Fans React to Dramatic Transformation. A resurfaced 2008 Ellen interview featuring an 11-year-old Jaden Smith has fans reminiscing—and raising eyebrows. Once full of charm and promise, Jaden’s recent appearance and behavior, including late-night Paris sightings and drastic physical changes, have sparked concern online. The clip went viral just days after Will Smith admitted he regrets his unconventional parenting style. The contrast is leaving many asking: what happened to the boy he used to be? Click to see what fans are saying—and how Will responded. (Atlanta Black Star)

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Jaxen (Michael Jai White, who also directed), a former cop turned Atlanta PI, is hired to find missing R&B star Jahari. His investigation uncovers her disappearance is connected to a larger conspiracy, forcing him to question those around him and his own past. Cliff "Method Man" Smith, La La Anthony, Orlando Jones, and Mike Epps co-star. Samuel Goldwyn Films will release Trouble Man in US theaters on August 1, 2025.

Trouble Man | Official Trailer

The Trouble Man trailer just dropped, and it looks 🔥. Michael Jai White stars as Jaxen, a former cop turned Atlanta private investigator who gets pulled into a wild case when an R&B singer goes missing. But this isn’t just a missing persons story; what he uncovers runs way deeper. With Method Man, La La Anthony, Orlando Jones, and Mike Epps in the mix, this one’s got serious energy. Trouble Man hits theaters August 1.

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