Organizers of Super Bowl LVIII caused a stir on social media with its decision to add a song known as the Black national anthem to its lineup on Sunday. “Lift Every Voice and Sing” was performed by Andra Day as part of the NFL’s pregame festivities in addition to the national anthem performed by Reba McEntire and “America the Beautiful” sung by Post Malone.
Some social media users, however, did not see the need for “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” which is widely regarded as the Black national anthem. Among the voices of criticisms are lawmakers like Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who said he won’t be watching the NFL games.
“They’re desecrating America’s National Anthem by playing something called the ‘Black National Anthem,’” he wrote to X.
Wife: Today is the Super Bowl!
Me: We aren’t watching.
Wife: Why?
Me: They’re desecrating America’s National Anthem by playing something called the “Black National Anthem.”
Wife: Does that mean Cardi is performing?
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) February 11, 2024
Sharing his own take on the issue, Rep. Mike Loychik (R-OH) shared a message of unity, tweeting, “There’s no such thing as a black national anthem. We are all AMERICANS, united by our great and beautiful Star Spangled Banner. The Super Bowl is supposed to bring us together. It’s a disgrace that the NFL decided to push the politics of racial division again.”
There’s no such thing as a “black national anthem.”
We are all AMERICANS, united by our great and beautiful Star Spangled Banner.
The Super Bowl is supposed to bring us together.
It’s a disgrace that the NFL decided to push the politics of racial division again.
— Rep. Mike Loychik (@MikeLoychik) February 11, 2024
Conservative pundit CJ Pearson also weighed in to point out that America only has one national anthem. “Before tonight’s Super Bowl, as a young black man and proud American, let me make myself clear: There is only ONE national anthem. As there is only ONE United States of America. And it’s for EVERYONE – white, black, yellow, and even maroon. The Left’s agenda of division isn’t just needless; it’s exhausting,” he wrote.
On the other hand, some Democrats decided that those who decided not to stand during the rendition of the song are not good people. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) pointed out on X that only a few people stood up while the song went on.
“Very very few stood for ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing.’ The Negro National Anthem. Not a pretty picture of Super Bowl crowd,” he tweeted.
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
When a commenter pointed out that he should stand for only one national anthem, he replied, “I stand for both. And in Memphis, most do.”
I stand for both.And in Memphis, most do.
— Steve Cohen (@RepCohen) February 12, 2024
The lawmaker did not bulge even when another user noted that the true American national anthem by Francis Scott Key “doesn’t see color” and that the idea of a separate national anthem is divisive.
Instead, he insisted that there is a problem with the original American national anthem. “Well, I honor our national anthem and respect it as representing our country and in our pride in it. However if you look at the history and some of the verbiage, it does relate to slavery and not in a questioning manner.”
Well, I honor our national anthem and respect it as representing our country and in our pride in it. However if you look at the history and some of the verbiage, it does relate to slavery and not in a questioning manner.
— Steve Cohen (@RepCohen) February 12, 2024
