Congressman Complains That ‘Few Stood’ During Black National Anthem Before the Super Bowl
Prior to this year’s Super Bowl which took place in Las Vegas, a rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” commonly referred to as the “Black National Anthem” was performed by singer Andra Day. This marked the fourth consecutive year that the NFL has decided to perform the song before the Super Bowl. However, it seems as though the audience’s reaction to this song was not ideal for the left.
Because of its obscurity to the general public, many attendees at the big game did not stand for the performance. This resulted in complaints from several on the left who believe that the American people are not giving the Black National Anthem the attention it deserves.
Expressing disappointment with the response from the crowd, Tennessee Representative Steven Cohen took to social media platform X to voice his concerns, noting, “Very very few stood for ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing.’ The Negro National Anthem. Not a pretty picture of Super Bowl crowd.”
Cohen’s post, which received over three million views, in one day following the Super Bowl, was met with numerous individuals asking why the audience should stand for a song that is not our country’s national anthem.
“Lift Every Voice and Sing” is a late 19th-century hymn that was of cultural significance within the black community in America. The song was originally written as a poem by James Weldon Johnson, and draws parallels to the biblical exodus from slavery. In 1919, the NAACP began referring to the song as the “Negro National Anthem.”
Since the 2020 Black Lives Matter riots and the death of George Floyd, the NFL has made the decision to perform this song before each Super Bowl game. But such a performance is not designed to bring unity. Rather, it paints the false perception that there are two Americas, one for black individuals and one for white individuals.
As Americans, we should be able to come together and appreciate our collective history in this country, despite color, race, or ethnicity. Promoting a separate “national anthem” is self-segregation and continues to divide us from one another. The national anthem should be a time for all Americans, regardless of race or political affiliation, to come together and show appreciation for the opportunities and resources provided by this great country.
