Wokeball?
The start of the National Football League season on Thursday was met with muted fan enthusiasm.
A local choir’s performance of a song that some have referred to as the “black national anthem” before the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions game at Arrowhead Stadium sparked controversy. Some supporters expressed their displeasure.
“Lift Every Voice and Sing” by the choir came before the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
The Kansas City Boys and Girls Choir reportedly gave a fantastic performance of the song, according to KCTV-TV.
Immediately following the performance, audible jeers erupted.
Some of the song’s supporters have taken notice of the negative feedback and have accused the fans who voiced their displeasure of being bigots.
It’s still unknown why the audience booed the performance. It’s unclear if they were objecting to it being used in place of “The Star-Spangled Banner” or if they did so because of the song’s emphasis on race.
Natalie Grant, a Christian musician, gave a stirring rendition of the national song.
Following George Floyd’s passing while in the custody of Minneapolis police in the summer of 2020, the NFL intervened by scheduling performances of “Lift Every Voice” throughout the season.
The decision was discussed by Troy Vincent, the league’s EVP for football operations, on NFL.com.
Vincent claimed that James Weldon Johnson wrote the well-known poem “Lift Every Voice And Sing” in the late 1800s. The melody was then created by his brother John Rosamond Johnson in 1905. In 1919, the NAACP officially adopted this stirring song as their national anthem.
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The song became an essential component of our morning routine when I attended Jefferson Elementary School in Trenton, New Jersey. We would happily sing along with it, hands over hearts, before pledging loyalty to the American flag.
“Many schools continue this tradition today. This Christian hymn about the struggle for freedom and equality inspires hope. It has encouraged generations of Black people that God will lead us to the promises of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. It’s as pertinent in today’s environment as it was when it was written.”
In his final words, he said, “Please reflect on the inspirational meaning of ‘Lift Every Voice And Sing,’ its rich history and how it might help to bring unity to a nation in need of healing.”
A performance that diverts attention from the national anthem is unpopular with the audience.
In an exciting game against the Lions, the Chiefs, the defending Super Bowl winners, suffered an unexpected loss. Despite just missing the playoffs the previous season, the Lions won with a score of 21-20.
