[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by Byte1

I guess, it depends on whether or not the intent is to divide the country. It is customary for the National Anthem to be sung for the opening of our sports. I believe that several other countries do the same with their National Anthem. But gee, if it's all about "can't we all get along?" then by all means, break traditions by stomping all over them just to please a few and anger or disgust the rest. Like I said before, we can start the game an hour earlier and give everyone with an ethnic or diverse background a chance to entertain their little section of America. Perhaps we could even slip in a magic show or some dance routines. Why wait until the half-time?

Agree perhaps all public sporting events could just begin an hour or more earlier, and everyone who feels allegiance to some alternative "national anthem" could be accommodated. But, perhaps even better idea (?) because so many people have such restrictions on arrival time (work over, after school, meal times, etc.) that might be difficult to change. Why not just add everyone's anthem to the end of the evening... and all who would like to hear them all, or just some of them, or one of them, could just stay after the baseball, football, hockey, soccer, etc. game. ADDED VALUE, the perfect solution to after game traffic jams, thousands of people will NOT be trying to leave at one time !

[MightyDog]

Originally Posted by Pairadocs

Once all American Mexicans, Italians, Irish, Germans, Africans, LGBT etc., our entire mix of "roots" has their own personal national anthem played at every Olympic medal ceremony you know what ? We are NOT going to get to see many events, it's all going to be "anthems" !

More importantly, that ^^^ would accentuate division rather than unity.

We all know America is a land of many cultures since all the original settlers were immigrants from various foreign places. That has been an important part of the rich fabric of the United States. People celebrated their unique cultures in their own families and enclaves and maybe had their own parade or festival once a year in certain cities.

But, the immigrants understood that they were in America now and didn't try insist their culture/ethnicity be recognized at national events. That was to be a time of unity, of celebrating our shared America. It should stay that way because it worked.

Those who don't grasp the intended disunity playing-out in many facets of our country for awhile now haven't been paying attention.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by MightyDog

...
But, the immigrants understood that they were in America now and didn't try insist their culture/ethnicity be recognized at national events. That was to be a time of unity, of celebrating our shared America. It should stay that way because it worked.

Those who don't grasp the intended disunity playing-out in many facets of our country for awhile now haven't been paying attention.

I have a strong suspicion that we would disagree on the root cause and the main instigators of your the intended disunity

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by Byte1

Not me. Just my two cents. I know how to change the channel and don't even have to leave my chair to do it, anymore. Great invention, that remote control. You might want to look up the meaning of "mountain over a molehill."
"Making a mountain out of a molehill is an idiom referring to over-reactive, histrionic behavior where a person makes too much of a minor issue. It seems to have come into existence in the 16th century"
By the way, some folks sacrificed a lot for the U.S. of A. and do not feel that our National Anthem is trivial issue.
On the other hand, just expressing my opinion which may not be worth two cents. Interesting subject and worthy of discussion.

To me, our national anthem is not trivial. Nor is our flag. Many sacrificed. I gave my country 6 of my best years and my country used me as it saw fit. Some gave more. Some gave less. Some gave everything. Some gave nothing. I stand for the Star Spangled Banner. I salute the flag. But, before the official proceedings begin, or even after they begin, if the event organizers feel it adds to the proceedings by having an invocation, spiritual music, or just additional entertainment, that is fine by me. I respect that not all my American brothers and sisters don't share my beliefs, and that is fine. Let the music play. Jmho.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by MightyDog

But, the immigrants understood that they were in America now and didn't try insist their culture/ethnicity be recognized at national events. That was to be a time of unity, of celebrating our shared America. It should stay that way because it worked..

Actually, the first settlers most likely did not know they were in America. Remember the first settlers? We call them [B]NativeAmericans./B] Just a point to ponder when discussing cultures to be recognized.

[blueash]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

The person you were responding to is correct.

Plus, the original plan was to play this so-called black national anthem right after our ONE AND ONLY national anthem so that people would already be standing. They were afraid no one would get up and stand for it if played alone, and of course, they would be right. I don't see how that original plan could be viewed as anything other than an attempt to give it equal status. I think they were wise to alter that plan, it might have gotten ugly.

I wonder where you read/heard that the plan was to have the Black anthem after the Star SB? It has never been done that way and I find absolutely nothing substantiating your claim. I am sure you have found the source and I would like to read the evidence.

Now tell me how it would get ugly? Would real Americans feel the need to riot in the stands? 2nd Amendment solutions? Boo the Black song?

Do real Americans get ugly when the play Oh Canada at hockey games? Do people in Western Canada get outraged at the French lyrics in that song even though French is not part of their local history? Should the 30% of Americans who identify as "none" religion get ugly at God Bless America?

By the way, there is no rule or tradition suggesting that people should stand for Lift Every Voice, although some may choose to do so. There is also nothing to suggest that people should stand for God Bless America or any other song other than the SBB.

Patriotism should not be confused with nativism or who does or does not stand for any song.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by blueash

I wonder where you read/heard that the plan was to have the Black anthem after the Star SB? It has never been done that way and I find absolutely nothing substantiating your claim. I am sure you have found the source and I would like to read the evidence.

Now tell me how it would get ugly? Would real Americans feel the need to riot in the stands? 2nd Amendment solutions? Boo the Black song?

Do real Americans get ugly when the play Oh Canada at hockey games? Do people in Western Canada get outraged at the French lyrics in that song even though French is not part of their local history? Should the 30% of Americans who identify as "none" religion get ugly at God Bless America?

By the way, there is no rule or tradition suggesting that people should stand for Lift Every Voice, although some may choose to do so. There is also nothing to suggest that people should stand for God Bless America or any other song other than the SBB.

Patriotism should not be confused with nativism or who does or does not stand for any song.

I'll look for the citation. Meanwhile, I was afraid that it might get booed or worse and was happy they changed their minds. I like the song as well, I just don't feel it should be a "national anthem" for any American

Here is the text:


The Super Bowl Will Again Feature Two 'National Anthems'
COMMENTARY
By Dennis PagerFebruary 06, 2024
The Super Bowl Will Again Feature Two 'National Anthems'FR170650 AP
This coming Sunday, at the most widely viewed sporting event in America, the Super Bowl, the National Football League will feature the singing of "Lift Every Voice and Sing," the song first known as the "Negro national anthem" and now known as the "black national anthem."

In order to ensure that those present at the game and the more than 100 million people watching on television cannot avoid hearing it, the "black national anthem" will, according to the schedule I have seen, be played after the actual national anthem of the United States. If that is the case, this will presumably be done in order to also ensure that everyone is still standing when it is sung. The NFL probably fears that some of those attending the game -- specifically, those who possess two increasingly rare traits: love of America and courage -- might not rise for the "black national anthem." But if they were already standing for the national anthem, few will sit when the "black national anthem" is then sung. The NFL doesn't want a repeat of what occurred at last year's Super Bowl in Arizona, when, as ABC News reported, "Former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake went viral in 2023 for remaining seated during a performance of the song at Super Bowl LVII." Last year, the "black national anthem" was played prior to the national anthem.

How destructive a decision performing the "black national anthem" at sporting events is -- whether before or after the national anthem -- can be summarized this way: Roger Goodell, the NFL commissioner, is among the few Americans of whom it will one day be said that he seriously damaged America. In 2021, the Washington Times noted, "Under Roger Goodell, the NFL has gone far beyond the kneeling; it's doubling down on 'social justice.' In addition to painting more slogans in the end zones and on players' helmets, the League will be donating $250 million to Black Lives Matter and other activist groups to 'combat systemic racism and support the battle against the ongoing and historical injustices faced by African-Americans.'"

and the URL:

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/ar...ms_150445.html

[blueash]

Let's compare lyrics

Lift Every Voice evokes images and faith that those brought here in chains are now Americans and have faith that this country will continue to move toward equality. It is a very pro-American song acknowledging the suffering of the past and the promise of this nation to make it right.

"We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,
Out from the gloomy past,
Till now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast....
True to our native land. "

or the SBB which has this lovely verse celebrating the death of slaves and pointedly saying that the "land of the free" does not and should not include slaves as free fully realized people.

Francis Scott Key, a slaveholder, had shortly before writing the poem seen a British unit of freed Black slaves win a crucial battle against Americans in the War of 1812.

"And where is that band who so vauntingly swore,
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a Country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footstep's pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave."

Which America is more worthy of praise? Which song speaks to aspirations of an honorable, decent, and free nation?

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by blueash

Let's compare lyrics

Lift Every Voice evokes images and faith that those brought here in chains are now Americans and have faith that this country will continue to move toward equality. It is a very pro-American song acknowledging the suffering of the past and the promise of this nation to make it right.

"We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,
Out from the gloomy past,
Till now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast....
True to our native land. "

or the SBB which has this lovely verse celebrating the death of slaves and pointedly saying that the "land of the free" does not and should not include slaves as free fully realized people.

Francis Scott Key, a slaveholder, had shortly before writing the poem seen a British unit of freed Black slaves win a crucial battle against Americans in the War of 1812.

"And where is that band who so vauntingly swore,
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a Country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footstep's pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave."

Which America is more worthy of praise? Which song speaks to aspirations of an honorable, decent, and free nation?

And what about the lyric: "until we march to victory" in that so-called black national anthem? Divisive enough????

[MightyDog]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

I have a strong suspicion that we would disagree on the root cause and the main instigators of your the intended disunity

Perhaps, but that is very presumptuous of you.

Meet Yuri Bezmenov. This is the best 6 1/2 minutes you will spend this year, maybe this decade.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQPsKvG6WMI

For the full 1 hr 20 min interview, install his name in the Youtube search bar.

[shaw8700@outlook.com]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Absolutely no problem with them playing that SONG. Play it at halftime. Let the cheerleaders perform to it. DO NOT equate it with our ONE AND ONLY national anthem, DO NOT try to elevate it to something that it is not. I love CHOOSING to learn about "other cultures", but not having it shoved down my throat as a so-called "national anthem". I'm going to Africa in 6 months, will be sitting in at a school, having dinner with locals and learning about a DIFFERENT culture. THIS is America-we are supposed to be ONE NATION, we should not embrace division.

100% right!

[ChrisTinaBruce]

There’s a reason for everything. You don’t truly believe we spend billions of dollars on our “public schooling” and not getting the exact results wanted?

Instead of teaching critical, thinking, history, philosophy and economics it’s much easier to teach divisiveness.

[Girlcopper]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

Black National Anthem: Lift Every Voice and Sing | Song lyrics

It is about the ancestors of some of the African Americans. Probably of many watching the NFL as well.

My ancestors as Italians weren’t treated equal nor were many orientals when they came to America. Women were treated as a second class citizens and looked down upon in the early years too. Guess we need a whole bunch of individual anthems since the black one was allowed

[jedalton]

Best way to divide our country I've ever seen

[mlmarr]

Originally Posted by DALEPQ

Granted this is an opinion, and probably will be removed from forum.
So; What was the purpose/benefit of singing the "Black National Anthem" at the Super Bowl??
We are ONE NATION, with ONE NATIONAL ANTHEM!!
To me, the Black National Athem, encourages division, it does not encourage unity!
So, what is next? Latino Anthem, or maybe LGBTQ anthem.
"ONE NATION.....with liberty and justice for all", what is wrong with that??

keep America county divided..