After criticism that the NFL failed to allow for players’ protests against police brutality, they have announced they will play “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” otherwise known as the Black National Anthem before every game. Grammy award winning singer Andra Day will perform this song before each contest.
This move follows an increasingly contentious year over race relations. Many have applauded the NFL’s move; however, some critics fear it will further divide America.
The Anthem’s Meaning
Before this year’s Super Bowl, sports events rarely included “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the song which has come to be known as the Black national anthem. Composed by brothers James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson in 1900 as a celebration of African Americans gaining freedom, its biblical references provide the backdrop for its beauty.
But since a series of police shootings and protests by black citizens, such as after George Floyd’s death, that NFL teams began playing his song prior to games. Many critics, like far-right politician Kari Lake, argue that playing it further divides Americans racially.
Grammy Award winner and actress Sheryl Lee Ralph will perform the song at this year’s Super Bowl, most famously as Deena Jones from Dreamgirls on Broadway. It is sure to spark debate.
The Anthem’s Background
At this year’s Super Bowl, the NFL will make history by performing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” commonly referred to as the Black National Anthem, during pregame ceremonies. This marks the first time this song has ever been performed live during an on-field game event.
The decision by the NFL to include this song comes amid nationwide unrest following police killings of African-Americans like George Floyd. This move aims to promote unity and address racial tensions within our society – though some critics suggest it’s more about optics than actual action taken.
Far-right politicians like former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, who lost her bid last year, have voiced strong criticism about the inclusion of this song at pregame ceremonies. She claims it promotes leftist ideologies by further reinforcing divisions among races; she further criticised a local youth choir which performed it during pregame ceremonies.
The Anthem’s Performance
The decision to play “Lift Every Voice and Sing” before NFL games was an acknowledgement of racial injustice that has recently surfaced again in America. Protests over George Floyd and Breonna Taylor’s deaths led the league to reconsider its policies on race equality.
Sheryl Lee Ralph has seen an exciting comeback since appearing on Abbott Elementary, performing the Black National Anthem at Super Bowl 50 wearing an elaborate red, gold, and black embroidered dress. First performed publicly 123 years ago by Adam Blackstone (Emmy award-winning musical director), it has seen its debut performance during Super Bowl 50 as well.
Reba McEntire will perform the Star Spangled Banner, Post Malone will sing “America the Beautiful,” and Grammy award-winning singer Andra Day will take to the stage to perform her hit song “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” This year’s Super Bowl will take place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on February 12. While NFL has invested millions into local communities to combat issues like police brutality and racial inequality, some critics maintain that symbolic actions may be taken instead.
The Anthem’s Reaction
The NFL’s decision to include “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” more commonly known as the Black National Anthem, along with its traditional Star-Spangled Banner as part of pregame festivities has caused considerable outrage on both sides of the political spectrum. Conservative pundits including Fox News host Sean Hannity have strongly denounced this policy for injecting politics into sports.
Sheryl Lee Ralph of Abbott Elementary will perform the song prior to Sunday’s Super Bowl 50 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. It won’t be the first time it’s featured – Alicia Keys sang it at last year’s Super Bowl while Mary Mary sang the tune before one game in 2021.
Some prominent Republicans have voiced opposition to the NFL’s inclusion of an anthem, including Colorado Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert who tweeted in September: “America only has one national anthem; why are they trying to divide us by playing multiple songs!” She claimed the addition of this song would distract viewers from watching the main event while drawing attention to social justice issues that should not be promoted through sports leagues like NFL.
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