The NFL’s decision to once again feature an alternate version of the national anthem at the Super Bowl drew a strong reaction on social media from those who threw a flag on the league’s promoting of racial divisiveness.
Before Sunday’s big game in Las Vegas, fans were subjected to a stirring rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” which was belted out by singer and actress Andra Day this year prior to the real national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner” which has astoundingly become a song that has been depicted by some as being symbolic of white supremacy and oppression.
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Originally dubbed the “Negro National Anthem” by the NAACP in 1919, the song was “prominently used as a rallying cry during the Civil Rights Movement,” according to the organization. The NFL has featured the song at big games since the George Floyd “summer of love” when the league, like all of corporate America, embraced the racist Black Lives Matter agenda.
.@AndraDayMusic performs Lift Every Voice and Sing before #SBLVIII! pic.twitter.com/gNRZ9XyibV — NFL (@NFL) February 11, 2024
Unlike the good old days when professional sports and especially the Super Bowl was a unifying experience for all Americans regardless of race or social status, the league chose to go in a new direction, one that has been highly controversial which was the case again during the big game with the “Black National Anthem” before the big game causing quite a stir on social media.
“The so-called Black National Anthem does not belong at the Super Bowl. We already have a National Anthem and it includes EVERYONE,” wrote conservative journalist and podcast host Megyn Kelly.
The so-called Black National Anthem does not belong at the Super Bowl. We already have a National Anthem and it includes EVERYONE. — Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) February 11, 2024
“They’re desecrating America’s National Anthem by playing something called the ‘Black National Anthem,’” wrote Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) who joked about he and his wife not tuning into the game because of the NFL’s unnecessary divisiveness.
Wife: Today is the Super Bowl! Me: We aren’t watching. Wife: Why? Me: They’re desecrating America’s National Anthem by playing something called the “Black National Anthem.” Wife: Does that mean Cardi is performing? — Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) February 11, 2024
More criticism of the NFL’s injection of racial politics into its product.
There’s no such thing as a “black national anthem.” We are all AMERICANS, united by our great and beautiful Star Spangled Banner. The Super Bowl is supposed to bring us together. It’s a disgrace that the NFL decided to push the politics of racial division again. — Rep. Mike Loychik (@MikeLoychik) February 11, 2024
No such thing as a “Black National Anthem” The end — Graham Allen (@GrahamAllen_1) February 11, 2024
.@NFL, There is NO black national anthem. There is NO white national anthem. There is only ONE national anthem and it’s for ALL Americans. Quit dividing us, place your hand over your heart, and play ball. Sincerely, America #SuperbowlLVIII — Jason D. Meister (@jason_meister) February 11, 2024
Marxists want the United States to have a “Black National Anthem”. This preposterous anthem was sung at the Super Bowl. Doesn’t a race-based anthem defeat the entire purpose of a “national” anthem? Are the Marxists saying that black people are not actual Americans? Unreal. — Paul Mitchell (@PaulMitchell_AB) February 12, 2024
If I wanted a black national anthem then I would have stayed in Africa. I’m an American and I find this deeply offensive. The American national anthem is our anthem. If you won’t stand for it or our flag then you need to get the hell out of our country. You’re the enemy of… https://t.co/K9xG8PhMdQ — Philip Anderson (@VoteBidenOut) February 12, 2024
A Black National Anthem is one of the most toxic and racist things out there. In the United States of America we only have one anthem and it is for everyone. — Steven (@SirStevenKJ) February 11, 2024
But others had a different view,
“The Black National Anthem—‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’—has been a part of our Nation’s history since the early 20th century,” wrote Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY).
“The erasure of African American history as American history is a form of racism that runs deep on the far right.”
The Black National Anthem—‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’—has been a part of our Nation’s history since the early 20th century. The erasure of African American history as American history is a form of racism that runs deep on the far right. https://t.co/3lxbaoU0Es — Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) February 11, 2024
Another Democrat member of Congress, Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) suggested that the fans in attendance at Allegiant Stadium were racists for not enthusiastically standing with hands over their hearts for Day’s performance of the controversial song.
Very very few stood at Super Bowl for “Lift Every Voice and Sing”. The Negro National Anthem. Not a pretty picture of Super Bowl crowd., — Steve Cohen (@RepCohen) February 11, 2024
The REAL national anthem was performed by country music legend Reba McEntire.
.@reba sings the National Anthem at Super Bowl LVIII! #SBLVIII pic.twitter.com/yEQi89hYGg — NFL (@NFL) February 11, 2024
The NFL does deserve some credit for toning down the in-your-face anti-white messaging during the playoffs with the “END RACISM” slogans that are normally painted in the end zones replaced with other more inclusive messaging for the postseason.
But the welcome respite is unlikely to last with it being an election year and the Democrats desperately in need of stoking racial animosity to retain their stranglehold on political power and every institution doing its part to keep Donald J. Trump from returning to the White House.