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Today, Explained

Our complicated relationship with the flag

Today, Explained

Vox

Daily News, Politics, News

4.49.5K Ratings

🗓️ 6 July 2025

⏱️ 29 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar openly celebrate the American flag. But a lot of Black Americans feel differently. What does that tell us about identity today? This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Image of Kendrick Lamar performing at the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images.  If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Support for this program comes from FM.

0:04.1

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are solely dedicated to property risk management and the resilience of its policyholder owners.

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These owners, who share the belief that the majority of property

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loss is preventable, work with FM to better understand the hazards that can impact their

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0:32.6

with insurance protection. At FM, we see what others don't, so we can help protect your business

0:39.1

in ways others can't. Learn more at FM.com and browse site unseen, our new microsite

0:46.2

with opinion, research and podcasts about hidden risks facing your business.

1:12.8

Hi, my name's Al, and I have a question about the relationship between African Americans and the American flag.

1:18.5

I just been thinking about the Kendrick Lamar, performance, and really Beyonce's country album,

1:22.3

and how both of them used the American flag, or at least its colors.

1:30.3

And I'm just interested to see how that's kind of evolved or where it sits today or tomorrow and yesterday. Anyway.

1:31.3

I've been thinking about this too.

1:33.3

Anyone who knows me knows I'm a Beyonce fan.

1:37.3

By the time you hear this, I'll be recovering from her July 4th show outside DC.

1:42.3

Beyonce famously doesn't do many interviews,

1:45.0

but she's intentional about every choice she makes.

1:48.0

So a big concert on the fourth in the nation's capital

1:52.0

isn't a coincidence.

1:54.0

With Cowboy Carter, Beyonce leaned into her American identity.

...

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