(DailyChive.com) – Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas wasn’t just about the thrilling overtime victory by the Kansas City Chiefs. A pre-game performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” sparked a heated online debate about national anthems, race, and unity in America.
Grammy Award-winner Andra Day delivered a powerful rendition of the song, often referred to as the “Black National Anthem,” before the game between the Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers.
However, controversy erupted when Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) tweeted that few in the audience stood for “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” which is also called “The Negro National Anthem,” lamenting it as a disappointing picture of the Super Bowl crowd.
Cohen’s tweet, referencing his majority-Black district in Tennessee, ignited further controversy as critics argued that America only has one national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and that performing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” divides the country.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) expressed his disapproval on X (formerly Twitter), saying that the Super Bowl was disrespecting America’s National Anthem by playing the song. In contrast, Nikole Hannah-Jones, founder of the “1619 Project,” countered by pointing out that a slave owner wrote the existing national anthem, and it already functions as the ‘White national anthem.”
The debate starkly reflects the ongoing struggle for racial justice and inclusivity in the United States. While some view “Lift Every Voice and Sing” as a necessary acknowledgment of the Black experience and a call for equality, others see it as a divisive force.
However, the NFL began incorporating “Lift Every Voice and Sing” into pre-game ceremonies in 2020 following renewed calls for racial justice in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. This year’s Super Bowl performance marked the first time it was sung at the big game.
Despite the controversy, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” has a rich history. Composed in 1900 by James Weldon Johnson, the song became a rallying cry for the civil rights movement in the mid-20th century. The NAACP officially recognized it as the “Negro National Anthem” in 1917.
The Super Bowl LVIII pre-game festivities also included performances of the traditional “Star-Spangled Banner” by Reba McEntire and “America the Beautiful” by Post Malone, alongside Usher’s electrifying halftime show.
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