Will The NFL Play The Black National Anthem?

The NFL has not yet decided if they will play the Black National Anthem during the upcoming season. However, many people are wondering if they will make the decision to do so.

Introduction

Earlier this week, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a letter to teams indicating that the league is “engaged in dialogue” about playing the Black national anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing” before games this season. The letter, which was obtained by ESPN, comes amid nationwide protests against police brutality and racial injustice following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25.

Goodell wrote that the league’s “commitment to fight for racial equality and social justice” has been “enhanced” by the protests. “We are aware of the recent momentum around ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ being played before our games,” Goodell said in the letter. “These discussions are ongoing, but we are committed to promoting meaningful change.”

The NFL has not played “Lift Every Voice and Sing” before games in its 101-year history. The song, which is also known as the ” Negro national anthem ,” was written by James Weldon Johnson in 1899 and was first performed publicly in 1900. It gained popularity during the civil rights movement in the 1960s.

The decision whether or not to play the Black national anthem before games this season will ultimately be up to each individual team. But if the NFL does choose to play it, it would be a powerful statement of solidarity with Black players and fans.

What is the Black National Anthem?

The Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, was written in 1899 by James Weldon Johnson. The song was first performed in 1900 by a children’s choir at a celebration of Lincoln’s birthday in Jacksonville, Florida. It quickly became a popular song among African Americans and was later adopted as the official anthem of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

“Lift Every Voice and Sing” has been described as an “African American national hymn” and a “song of hope”. The lyrics express pride in being black and convey the struggles and determination of the African American people.

The song has been performed by many artists over the years, including Mahalia Jackson, Paul Robeson, Nina Simone, James Brown, Whitney Houston, and Beyonce. In 2016, then-President Barack Obama sang a portion of the anthem at the opening ceremony of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The Black National Anthem has been gaining renewed attention in recent weeks in light of the nationwide protests against police brutality and racial injustice. There have been calls for the NFL to play “Lift Every Voice and Sing” before games this upcoming season as a way to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement.

It is unclear if the NFL will actually play the Black National Anthem this season, but it is clear that there is a growing movement to make it happen.

What is the NFL’s stance on the Black National Anthem?

The NFL has not yet released an official statement on whether or not they will be playing the Black National Anthem, but they have said that they “support player protests.”

Many people have been calling for the NFL to play the Black National Anthem before games, in order to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement. However, it is unclear if the NFL will actually do this.

We will update this article as soon as the NFL releases an official statement on the matter.

How would playing the Black National Anthem impact the NFL?

Some people have called for the NFL to play the Black National Anthem before games as a way to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement. However, it is unclear what impact this would have on the league.

Critics say that playing the anthem would be a superficial gesture that does not address the underlying issues of racism and police brutality in America. Others argue that it would be a powerful statement against racism and an acknowledgement of the contributions of Black Americans to the country.

There is no perfect solution to this issue, and it is up to the NFL to decide what course of action they think is best. Whatever decision they make, it is sure to be controversial.

Conclusion

It is still unclear if the NFL will play the Black National Anthem, but it is a step in the right direction that they are considering it. This would be a powerful symbolic gesture that would show support for the Black Lives Matter movement and help to promote racial equality.