Why Right-Wing Outrage Over "Black National Anthem" is Unhelpful
/Black History Month was always a time for celebration at Webster Elementary School. We had special booklets that summarized the lives of many great Americans: Frederick Douglass, Harriett Tubman, Jesse Owens, Madam C. J. Walker, etc. We even had a school program in the auditorium, where we sang songs about Martin Luther King Jr. and “Lift Every Voice.” And thus, my relationship with the negro hymn, affectionally dubbed as the “black national anthem,” began.
When I worked for the Michigan Republican Party, we had a Black History Month event in Detroit, spearheaded by the Urban Engagement Director Wayne Bradley, and my sister, Gina Barr. It doubled as an outreach event—where traditionally conservative-minded black Americans could be persuaded to openly identify as Republican—and to honor activists, trailblazers, and faith leaders in the community. I was always asked to sing. And when I did, everyone stood and sang along, reading the lyrics printed on the back of the program. With one voice, we honored God and country with that beautiful hymn.
I’ve heard a lot of outrage from the political right over “Lift Every Voice,” which was not verbally introduced at the Super Bowl as the “black national anthem,” but it’s unconscionable to many that it would garner such an affectionate nickname.
Prager U posted an Instagram video of C.J. Pearson furiously ranting, “Do you guys remember the days when sports used to bring this country together? And now you can’t even watch the Super Bowl without some BS like the black national anthem being created?”
“Lift Every Voice” was created in 1900. It’s been dubbed the “black national anthem” since 1919, which is longer than the Star-Spangled Banner has been the official national anthem, which happened under Herbert Hoover in 1931.
Michael Knowles questioned if there are separate anthems, are we calling for separate nations? Are we asking for a race war? To Knowles and the thousands of right-wingers asking similar questions, I ask if you genuinely think we call it the “black national anthem” figuratively or literally. When Knowles and other employees at the Daily Wire refer to Jeremy Boreing as the “god-king,” do they mean that literally?
Matt Walsh argued this was the first time “Lift Every Voice” has been sung on the field, as they do with the “Star-Spangled Banner.” He said it was “grotesque” and other unpleasant synonyms. Perhaps that had something to do with the date? Sheryl Lee Ralph said, “It is no coincidence” she sang the song “on the same date it was first publicly performed 123 years ago (February 12, 1900). Happy Black History Month!” The song was created by James Weldon Johnson and composed by his brother. It was originally performed by 500 schoolchildren to commemorate President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.
Now, I’m not going to pretend the NFL isn’t pandering. I’m not going to pretend the political left doesn’t have an agenda to exacerbate racial tensions, make black Americans feel more isolated and ashamed of the United States, and shun symbols that should act as a binding agent. Juneteenth is being uplifted as an alternative to the Fourth of July, and there’s a fear “Lift Every Voice” will be an alternative to the “Star-Spangled Banner,” especially since controversy was drummed up about the third verse’s mention of slaves.
Do I think there’s a sinister plot to use this beautiful hymn as a means to divide this country? Only because the right predictably takes the bait. If it was a legitimate troll by the NFL, it was genius. Two weeks ago, conservatives were angry about Sam Smith’s demonic performance at the Grammys. Now, they’re upset a hymn was performed at the biggest sports event of the year. When conservative commentators are bringing the same or even more energy to a hymn as Disney’s woke cartoons such as The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, I think we’ve got a major discernment issue.
After a picture of Kari Lake, sitting during the performance of “Lift Every Voice” circulated on the internet, she affirmed sitting down was an act of defiance to the agenda. “We are one nation, under God...Francis Scott Key's words ring true for every single American citizen regardless of their skin color. James Weldon Johnson's 'Lift Every Voice' is a beautiful song, but it is not our national anthem."
I agree with Lake’s statements, but as someone who sings patriotic songs often at political events, I know the crowd stands when I sing “America the Beautiful” and “God Bless America.” It’s not exclusive to the “Star Spangled Banner.” It’s not because they have the same amount of reverence, but because they respect the patriotic sentiments of the lyrics that truly honor the country.
The last time I sang “Lift Every Voice” was at a Lebanese Chamber event. My friend, John Akouri leads the organization and after singing several times for the group, he gave me the freedom to sing what I wanted. Before I began, I explained forces were trying to teach Americans to be bitter about our nation’s past instead of being optimistic about our future and proud of our progress. I highlighted two lines in the song:
Sing a song, full of the faith that the dark past has taught us
Sing a song, full of the hope that the present has brought us
These two lines are the heart and soul of the song. Despite our dark past, we were able to persevere with the grace of God. And because of all the progress we’ve made from that dark time, when we look around at the present, we should feel optimistic about what strides we can make toward our future.
Conservatives should call out woke leftists for rejecting the true spirit of the song and contrast the optimistic nature of it with their bitterness.
I don’t believe Black Christians clung to “Lift Every Voice” to cause division. “Well, there’s only one national anthem!” I agree. And? That doesn’t mean black Americans will stop calling it that. We’ve been calling it that for 100 years. It hasn’t hurt you all this time. You’ll be okay. Frankly, the outrage is more likely to push people into using the term indignantly, like a Trump supporter throwing on a MAGA hat after the media launches an attack. And I can’t speak for all black people, but I have no intention of starting my own black nation. I thought Killmonger’s plan in Black Panther was absurd because if he showed up to the US with weapons, I wouldn’t turn on my neighbors and friends just because of my skin color. I’m an American.
I’ve been told having a “black national anthem” is racist because the word “black” is divisive. When Candace Owens, Brandon Tatum, and others refer to themselves as “black conservatives,” do you think they’re doing it to be divisive? Or do you think they’re highlighting their perspective? They’re certainly not exclusive. They expect people who aren’t black and brown to watch their content, including when they talk about the problems in the “black community.”
It is very jarring to see people on the right suggest inserting the word “black” in front of the anthem equates to racism. Can we have a conversation before defaming the character of so many black Americans for 100 years? Who are you suggesting we think is superior or inferior? I’ve been told it amounts to segregation. Was President Trump “racist” for supporting HBCUs? Was he and his team racist for pitching the Platinum Plan? What about when his campaign team created “Black Voices for Trump” to promote all of the great things he did for black Americans? I have been to Black History Month events at the White House, hosted by President Trump.
I’ve been asked, “Where is the white national anthem?” I find this question puzzling. According to Pew Research, white Americans don’t see being white as a central part of their identity like other races do. But I do hear fair-skinned Republicans take pride in being Irish, Italian, Polish, etc. I’ve been asked, “Where is the Hispanic national anthem?” Who knows? I’m tempted to write one. It would be a beautiful piece of tailored American pride. But since so many people didn’t know there was a “black national anthem” around for 100 years, maybe there’s one and we just don’t talk about it.
“Lift Every Voice” is a tale of American history. The road to civil rights was not a journey black Americans took alone. It also took the courage and moral convictions of non-black Americans. So, I would consider the song to be inclusive, not exclusive. Accusing people, including black conservatives, who hold a personal connection to this song to be intentionally divisive, does not help the cause.
Yes, there is one national anthem, but to deny “Lift Every Voice” has been known as the “black national anthem” is to deny history. If the remedy is to abandon the song, that’s a real shame. It’s also not going to happen.
But conservatives aren’t giving the NFL much incentive to stop pandering and embracing wokeness anyway. If you came back after continuous kneeling of the flag, they think you’re locked in. You’re just howling at the moon, and there’ll be another one next month.
