Typically before NFL football games and other sporting events throughout the country, The Star-Spangled Banner is played to kick off the festivities. But during Thursday night’s season-opening showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions, another very special and meaningful song was played along with the United States’ national anthem.
Before the traditional playing of The Star-Spangled Banner on Thursday night, the Kansas City Boys and Girls Choir performed the historic song “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” The song was used widely throughout the Civil Rights Movement and is a key part of Black culture in America as many even affectionately call it “The Black National Anthem.”
It was a beautiful performance of a beautiful song and the social media world had plenty to say about it afterward, with plenty of people blasting anyone who would criticize the NFL for allowing the celebration of Black culture.
To all of the people who are acting outraged over the playing of what they call the Black National Anthem at the Kansas City Chiefs game last night:
The song isn't intended to divide anyone. It's not just a song for a certain group of people. It's called "Lift Every Voice and… pic.twitter.com/6KchnrRgeU
— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) September 8, 2023
This song was sung at church EVERY SUNDAY. In 1917 the NAACP dubbed it the “black national anthem” The words are a prayer of thanksgiving, faithfulness and freedom evoking the exodus from slavery to freedom. In 2021 it was designated as Americas national hymn https://t.co/cmBPRWCNVn
— A Boogie (@Double_A_WhoDey) September 9, 2023
They will always say it’s divisive if it’s something that shows pride in being black https://t.co/qXPAwhljGT
— JP – The Wholesome Truth Teller (@jay_pea619) September 8, 2023
Exactly, and the unedited National anthem has slavery bars y’all need to be so serious and for real. https://t.co/yVwdzJtlnt
— SCAM GODDESS (@DivaLaci) September 9, 2023
Yes it’s a beautiful song. It’s an inspirational song. Only racists are trying to spin it as a something divisive. https://t.co/Tsr3zovSVw
— Cliff W (@CliffW08950229) September 10, 2023
They call it the Black National Anthem because it is the Black National Anthem…. My entire life as a black American; that is all I’ve ever heard it called. https://t.co/tXpLJmLOb9
— KINGPIXMEDIA (@kingpixmedia) September 9, 2023
At my (99% white) HS, we sang this for choir one year. I don’t recall hearing a single complaint about it. https://t.co/lGqcS12WdJ
— Ericka A. McFee (@Ericka_A_McFee) September 9, 2023
This is not the first time the song has been sung on a big stage before a major NFL game. “Lift Every Voice and Sing” has been played at NFL games since 2020 after Minneapolis police officers killed George Floyd. The song was even played before Super Bowl LVI and the NFL Draft in April 2021.
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