The LVII NFL Super Bowl between Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs concluded on February 12th, 2023. The annual night is one of the biggest spectacles in the United States of America. Along with the game, the business and entertainment industry also gets boosted due to the huge number of viewers. This year musical extraordinaires like Rihanna, Chris Stapleton, and Sheryl Lee Ralph took the stage.
Rihanna’s performance was one of the most anticipated moments of the night. Many A-list celebrities marked their presence at the most decorated sporting event. However, before the game started, Country Music star Chris Stapleton and Emmy-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph performed. Sheryl sang the ‘Black National Anthem’ ‘Lift Every Voice And Sing’ before the game. The NFL decision got criticized on the internet.
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What Is The History Behind The Song Performed At The NFL Super Bowl?
‘Lift Every Voice And Sing’ has been a cry for over a century for the Black community in America. It has been a cry for unity, rebellion, equality, and justice. The Civil Rights Act came into being in 1964 after a long movement spearheaded by Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and others. Before that, the country practiced segregation in the country.
Two brothers James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson wrote the song. Both were active part of the entertainment industry, and later the two became part of the Civil Rights Movement.
In the year 1919, NAACP adopted the song as the ‘Negro National Anthem’ before President Hover made ‘The Star Sprangled Banner’ the national anthem. It has been an integral part of Black History. There are many powerful lyrics in the song.
Like the one which goes “We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered”. The song completed a century on February 12th when it was first performed publicly in 1900. The National Football League for the first time, allowed the song to be played during the game. However, it has not sat well with some people on the internet.
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Twitteratis Criticized The Move Due To Its Divisive Nature
Sheryl Lee Ralph has been having her moment. The actress is getting the flowers she deserves! Currently, she is playing a kindergarten teacher at ABC’s ‘Abbott Elementary’. She won an Emmy in the ‘Supporting Actress in a Comedy series’ category. Sheryl looked ethereal in a Harbison Studio red jumpsuit.
However, many people have found the NFL decision as divisive for letting her sing the song.
The @NFL is going to play a black national anthem before the Super Bowl. Seems racist and divisive.
— Kevin Sorbo (@ksorbs) February 12, 2023
The @NFL is making a huge mistake, in my humble opinion, by having "Lift Every Voice and Sing," what has traditionally been referred to as the "black national anthem," sung at the #SuperBowl. What more divisive message could be sent than to suggest we're a nation of two anthems.
— Darrell B. Harrison (@D_B_Harrison) February 9, 2023
“Black National Anthem” is an oxymoron. We are ONE nation under God. If you think otherwise, you’re in support of segregation. It’s that simple.
— Xaviaer DuRousseau (@XAVIAERD) February 12, 2023
The @NFL is making a mistake, by having "Lift Every Voice and Sing," what has traditionally been referred to as the "black national anthem," sung at the #SuperBowl.
What more divisive message could be sent than to suggest we're a nation of two anthems.
— Grand Old Patriots🇺🇸 (@GrandOlPatriots) February 12, 2023
What the f*** is a black national anthem? 🤔💯
Don't get me wrong, I know the song is ( Lift every voice and sing), but here we go again, trying to divide America. @NFL
💯— Paul I Bigelow,Jr. (@i_bigelow) July 16, 2021
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