Buccaneers though, the league showcased its first dual-anthem introduction by playing “Lift Every Voice And Sing” prior to “The Star-Spangled Banner.” “Lift Every Voice” originates from a 1905 poem by civil rights activist James Weldon Johnson.
Now two anthems (and counting) have been implemented, but the NFL and Roger Goodell’s mission to lead an all-inclusive league has rubbed a number fans the wrong way. Many see it as a form of pandering to the PC mob comprised of the lingering Kaepernick fan base and those who supported last year’s protests following the death of George Floyd.
After a summer of rampant racial protests in 2020, Goodell announced the decision to play the complementary anthem before every league game. “We, the National Football League, believe Black lives matter. … Without Black players there would be no National Football League,” declared the commissioner.
He added, “[T]he protests around the country are emblematic of the centuries of silence, inequality and oppression of Black players, coaches, fans and staff.”
Reactions across Twitter panned the new “Black National Anthem,” calling the split ceremonies a blatant separation of festivities for white and black Americans, and a slippery slope for more songs to be introduced rather than committing to the established all-inclusive national anthem.
The @NFL is playing the black national anthem again. I guarantee you the ratings get even worse for them. And just like that I’m not watching #nfl pic.twitter.com/kC9cJwMv8g
— jonboy (@jonboy79788314) September 10, 2021
I'm sorry but we don't need a black national anthem. Just for the black community. The national anthem is for everyone. No matter the race or color you are. #NFLKickoff
— Bart Plaster (@Bigbertha70) September 10, 2021
#NFL. there is a national anthem not a black national anthem and a white national anthem – why are you trying to alienate a huge portion of your fan base and splitting the country along race lines?
— Kenny fan (@MKaye1) September 10, 2021
If I kneel during the "black national anthem" would I be in my right to protest or would I be racist? Since there is a "black national anthem" is there one for whites as well, or is that also racist? Is it racist to even ask? Is it racist to even think that? pic.twitter.com/WM0QNiVWcp
— 🇺🇸 Liowen 🇺🇸 (@TheRealLiowen) September 10, 2021
Follow along on Twitter: @AlejandroAveela
Author: Alejandro Avila
Source: Out Kick: TWITTER RIPS NFL’S DUAL NATIONAL ANTHEM APPROACH
