Democratic Congressman Steve Cohen criticized the Super Bowl crowd in Las Vegas for not standing during the performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” colloquially known as the “Black National Anthem.”
Cohen’s comments sparked online debate, with some defending the tradition and others expressing opposition to the idea of multiple national anthems.
Rep. Steve Cohen wrote, “Very very few stood for ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing.’”
“The Negro National Anthem. Not a pretty picture of Super Bowl crowd,” he continued.
Very very few stood at Super Bowl for “Lift Every Voice and Sing”.
The Negro National Anthem.
Not a pretty picture of Super Bowl crowd.,— Steve Cohen (@RepCohen) February 11, 2024
“I stand for both. And in Memphis, most do,” he explained.
Cohen wrote to a critic, “Well, I honor our national anthem and respect it as representing our country and in our pride in it.”
.@AndraDayMusic performs Lift Every Voice and Sing before #SBLVIII! pic.twitter.com/gNRZ9XyibV
— NFL (@NFL) February 11, 2024
“However if you look at the history and some of the verbiage, it does relate to slavery and not in a questioning manner,” he continued.
aces further.
Rep. Matt Gaetz wrote, “They’re desecrating America’s National Anthem by playing something called the ‘Black National Anthem.’”
“1619 Project” founder Nikole Hannah-Jones, wrote, “It was written by a racist enslaver who believed Black people were inferior and fought abolitionists in the courts.”
The decision to include the song at the Super Bowl has been a topic of controversy, with some arguing that it further divides races.
