Will The Black National Anthem Be Played At Nfl Games?
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The Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, has been gaining traction as a way to protest systemic racism. Will the NFL play the song before games?
What is the black national anthem?
The Black national anthem is “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” which was written in 1900 by James Weldon Johnson. The song was first performed in public in 1901 by a children’s choir in Florida and quickly gained popularity. It became known as the Black national anthem after being used by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) as a rallying cry during its early years.
What is the NFL’s stance on the black national anthem?
The NFL has not yet taken a formal stance on the black national anthem, but the league has said that it is “open to listening to players about how we can make progress” on social justice issues. Several NFL players have called for the black national anthem to be played at games, and some have even proposed that all players kneel during the song in solidarity. However, it remains to be seen whether or not the league will actually take action on this issue.
How have players reacted to the NFL’s stance?
Many NFL players have come out in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and the calls to action that have arisen in its wake. Some, like Seattle Seahawks player Duane Brown, have said that they will be taking a knee during the national anthem this season to protest racial inequality and police brutality. “I just can’t stand for this song anymore,” Brown told reporters. “This country is in a very bad place right now and we need a change.”
Others, like San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid, have said that they will be standing for the anthem but raising their fists in the air to protest. “I feel like it’s my duty to continue to use my platform to fight for those who don’t have a voice,” Reid told reporters.
Still, some players have said that they do not plan to protest during the anthem at all. New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard told reporters that he plans to stand for the anthem because of his military family members. “My dad was in the Army, my brothers were in the Army,” Shepard said. “It’s just something I grew up around.”
The NFL has not yet announced whether or not the Black national anthem will be played at games this season, but many players have voiced their support for the idea.
What are fans saying about the NFL’s stance?
Since the NFL’s decision to play the Black national anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing” before select games this season, fans have had mixed reactions. Some feel that this is a step in the right direction towards racial justice, while others believe that it is a performative gesture that does not address the league’s systemic problems.
Many people are also concerned about the fact that the NFL has not committed to playing the anthem at every game, or on a regular basis. This has led some to believe that the league is only paying lip service to the issue of racism, and is not truly committed to change.
Others argue that any progress is good progress, and that playing the anthem is a small but significant way to show support for Black Lives Matter and other social justice movements.
What do you think?
How will the black national anthem be played at NFL games?
It is not yet clear how the black national anthem will be played at NFL games. The NFL has not released any official statement on the matter. However, it is speculated that the anthem will be played before the start of each game, during the pre-game show.
What impact will this have on the NFL?
The decision by the NFL to play the black national anthem before games this season is a victory for social justice activists and a sign of the league’s commitment to diversity. But it also raises questions about how this will impact the league going forward.
Will playing the black national anthem be a one-time event or will it become a regular part of NFL games? Will other leagues follow suit? And what does this mean for the relationship between the NFL and its critics?
These are all important questions that need to be considered in light of the NFL’s decision to embrace this measure of social justice. But one thing is for sure: The league is sending a powerful message that it is committed to diversity and equality.