The NFL has recently faced substantial criticism regarding some teams hosting a performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a poem written by NAACP activist James Weldon in 1900, which has been coined as the “Black National Anthem.” Critics have blasted the professional football league for what they describe as divisive conduct.
One user shared a clip of a Black National Anthem performance from Sheryl Lee Ralph before an NFL game, stating, “Why do we need a Black National Anthem when we already have one anthem for everyone? Dividing us further with these gestures only weakens our unity. @NFL, stop pushing division. Stand for true unity and patriotism!!!”
Other users have joined in, echoing this sentiment. One person criticized the state of the modern sports landscape. “Modern “sports” entertainment sucks because of BS like this,” they said. “Agreed. Why can’t we just play the sport without bs involved,” another person agreed.
Another person emphasized that having multiple national anthems only promotes division, stating, “I’m not racist, but I’m an American and this just sows division. We only need one National Anthem for all Americans, if you want a song played that’s fine, but a racially dividing America National Anthem, NO.” Another user pointed out that playing different national anthems for specific races is seems like segregation. “Isn’t it hilarious how black worked so hard for desegregation yet now to want segregation? It’s like going forward in reverse…” they wrote.
“One of the many reasons football isn’t my top sport pushing agendas not the game. Promote the players and the game not the side show. I’d rather see a replay of a good hit than whatever some celebrity is doing in the seats,” one person wrote, explaining why they are pulling back from their interest in watching the NFL amid its woke activism.
Another person, claiming to be black, stressed that they don’t want an anthem singled out for them on the basis of race. “Idc if they sing it. I hate that they call it that. I’m black and my national anthem is the Star Spangled Banner.” They also questioned whether the national anthem was played or not. “On a side note, did they or didn’t they play the Star Spangled Banner? If so, can someone post a clip of THAT? All I’m seeing is Lift Every Voice,” they added.
One user stressed that there should be one national anthem for all. “Agreed. I may be in the minority, but I don’t need a “Black” national anthem, a “Black” history month, etc and watch corporations disingenuously prop up folks for 28 days. There’s already one anthem, hate it or love it. And “Black” history is American history. Period,” they said.
“If we had just a White National Anthem that would be racist, now explain the difference why a Black National Anthem isn’t racist. Are we going to have a Latino national anthem or an Asian national anthem how about a Woman’s Anthem or a LBGT anthem. people who are over 6 feet tall,” another commented, illustrating the apparent double standard.
Watch the Black National Anthem performance below:
Note: The featured image is a screenshot from the embedded video.
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