In a recent development, Kari Lake, a former gubernatorial candidate, expressed her disapproval of the National Football League's (NFL) decision to feature a rendition of the "black national anthem" before the season's opening game.
The game, held in Kansas City, began with a local youth choir performing "Lift Every Voice and Sing," which was met with boos from the crowd. Following this, Christian singer Natalie Grant performed "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Lake voiced her criticism on X, a social media platform formerly known as Twitter. "I hear the [NFL] is still trying to force this divisive nonsense down Americas throats. I wont stand for it. Literally," Lake wrote. She further emphasized, "America has only ONE National Anthem and that Anthem is color blind."
To illustrate her point, Lake shared a photograph of herself seated during a performance of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" at Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona, earlier this year.
In a conversation with Newsweek, Lake elaborated on her stance. "Im against a black National Anthem for the same reason I am against a white National Anthem, a gay National Anthem, a straight National Anthem, a Jewish National Anthem, a Christian National Anthem, and so on," she stated. Lake stressed the unity of the nation, saying, "We are ONE NATION, under God, Francis Scott Keys words ring true for every single American Citizen regardless of their skin color."
The NFL introduced the playing of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" at the start of the 2020 season, and it has been featured in pregame ceremonies before the last three Super Bowls.
While Lake's refusal to stand for the "black national anthem" drew criticism, she found support among black conservatives. Larry Elder, a former California gubernatorial candidate, and Utah Representative Burgess Owens, a former NFL player, backed Lake's stance and criticized the idea of a separate anthem based on skin color, as reported by Fox News.
Elder expressed his agreement with Lake, stating, "We have one national anthem, and its THE national anthem." He added, "These things are divisive. They imply blacks are somehow separate and apart from American history, tradition, and experience. It suggests continued victimization and oppression when antiblack racism in America has never been more insignificant."
Echoing Elder's sentiments, Burgess criticized the NFL for its divisive actions. "I will not stand for any other national anthem but our National Anthem, so Im with Kari Lake," he said. "I will not be part of dividing our country between Blacks and Whites. I will not do that. I will not be part of it. The NFL has ashamed themselves."
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