NFL fans took to social media to voice their criticism toward the performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the “Black National Anthem,” before the commencement of Super Bowl LIX. The NFL began playing the song as a separate anthem before the Star Spangled Banner in the wake of George Floyd’s death in 2020, amid racial tensions nationwide.
For years, the performance of the “Black National Anthem” has sparked criticism from some NFL fans who assert that all Americans should united under the Star Spangled Banner. Critics maintain that offering alternative anthems is inherently divisive and deleterious to social cohesion. This sentiment was voiced across social media after “Lift Every Voice and Sing” was performed before the Super Bowl.
Conservative commentator and Turning Point USA influencer, Rob Smith chimed in, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” only started being performed at the Super Bowl in 2021 during the BLM era. This is not some long standing American tradition. There is no “Black” or “White” National Anthem. There is only the National Anthem. Stop doing this.”
Various others echoed this sentiment across X. One user wrote on the platform before the game, “Am I the only one who finds a ‘black’ national anthem offensive? It’s divisive. There’s no Native American, Hispanic or Asian or white national anthem. It’s ridiculous. Absolutely a DE&I relic which should be retired. One America. One anthem.”
Republican political commentator Armstrong Williams sounded off on the NFL for “desecrating” the “sacred American sport of football” in a video message recorded at the Super Bowl. “l am proud that there is a Black American National Anthem, but there is a time and place for everything, and the Super Bowl is not the time for playing the song,” he said.
He continued, “Yes, America has had a marred past with racial injustice, just as every other country has. But our national anthem has always stood for one thing and one thing only. Not white Americans, not Black Americans, but Americans. No matter who you are, no matter where you come from, the national anthem is your anthem. And when that beautiful song is sung, it is sung for every American everywhere.”
The American Tribune previously reported on calls from some conservative viewers who claimed they would boycott the Super Bowl over the “Black National Anthem” being played at the event. One user posted on X, “Hey @NFL, remove the so-called “Black National Anthem.” America already has a National Anthem. We don’t need or want one specific to a group of people. That only encourages division. We are all ONE NATION.” Various other conservative personalities across social media echoed this sentiment.
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Another person outright claimed they will not watch the Super Bowl if they play the alternative anthem, claiming it is promoting division. “The United States of America has one national anthem…. I Will not be watching the Super Bowl because they’re playing a black national anthem with the intention of keeping this country divided,” he said.
Note: The featured image is a screenshot from the embedded video.