Black is King left me feeling conflicted. I love her visual album and felt it was very important and timely. I also understand how some of the imagery could be considered cultural appropriation by Black people from Africa. However, that is where my American Blackness intervenes. Our African heritage was robbed from us so I guess I feel that the African cultural ambiguity spoke to the American Black experience, in which we do not understand African culture. Thus, we have created our own images and ideas that we take from African culture to feel pride im ourselves.

I don't see you as a Beyonce hater at all. I think you brought up an important issue. As American Black people, we have to do better not to disrespect African cultures. I just wish there was an attempt for Africans to accept, and not respect our interpretation because it isn't our fault we do not understand African culture - it is a product of abuse. Thanks for writing this. Your pieces always make me think.