In the lead-up to Super Bowl LVIII, controversy arose over the inclusion of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” commonly referred to as the “Black National Anthem.”
While some have argued that the song’s performance promotes unity and acknowledges the country’s racial diversity, others have expressed concern that it only serves to divide the nation further.
The debate has sparked heated discussions on social media platforms and even among political figures.
Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee took to X to express his disappointment that very few in the Super Bowl crowd stood for the song’s performance.
However, the reaction to his comment was mixed, with some arguing that there should only be one national anthem for all races.
Critics of the “Black National Anthem” argue that it is an attempt to divide the nation along racial lines.
They point to the fact that “The Star-Spangled Banner,” written by Francis Scott Key, is the official national anthem of the United States and is meant to represent all Americans, regardless of race or ethnicity.
Our National Anthem is an American unifier: It's one song that every American knows and can sing under one flag.
Lift Every Voice and Sing, otherwise known as the Black National Anthem, is not an anthem for which Americans sing under one flag.
Playing it at the Super Bowl… pic.twitter.com/XKPvclfHH5
— Armstrong Williams 🇺🇸 (@Arightside) February 12, 2024
Conservatives argue that promoting a separate anthem for a particular race is counterproductive and only serves to further divide an already fractured nation.
They believe that the focus should be on unity and that having one national anthem for all Americans is a powerful symbol of that unity.
The debate surrounding “Lift Every Voice and Sing” has also highlighted the complicated history of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Some critics argue that Key’s own history as an enslaver and his beliefs about Black people being inferior make the song problematic.
However, supporters of the “Black National Anthem” argue that it is an important part of American history and should be celebrated as such.
They point to the song’s origins as a plea for liberty and its role as a civil rights rallying cry in the 1950s and 1960s.
Despite the controversy, the NFL has continued to include “Lift Every Voice and Sing” in its pre-game ceremonies, a decision that has drawn criticism from some conservative lawmakers.
Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, for example, has stated that he and his wife will not be watching the Super Bowl due to the inclusion of the “Black National Anthem.”
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
