Beyoncé, the CMAs, and the fight over country music’s politics, explained

Editor’s note, March 19, 2024, 1:20 pm: On March 19, 2024, Beyoncé posted on Instagram that her upcoming album, Act II: Cowboy Carter — the first two singles from which are propelling her to the top of the Hot Country Songs chart — was inspired by “an experience [she] had years ago where [she] did not feel welcomed … and it was very clear that [she] wasn’t.” Some speculate…