There seems to be a lot of “hoopla” over the NFL’s decision to have the “Negro National Anthem” sung before every Week 1 game. This holiday weekend is a good to revisit the history of the anthem. Here’s a post I wrote 2.5 years ago about the song. Happy Weekend!
James Weldon Johnson, 1871-1938. Poet, novelist, statesman, civil rights leader, lawyer. Artist, Winold Reiss (1886-1953). Pastel on artist board.
The song dubbed “The Black National Anthem” should need no introduction, but I learned last October–moments after I posted an article focused on the University of Florida’s playing the song at the arrival of white supremacists on campus–that many Americans are not familiar with the song. In fact, one (Euro-American) friend uncharacteristically responded by declaring UF’s actions “racist.”
[We’ll save discussion about how that action could not have been “racist” for another time].
My friend’s judgment was based on the title of the article. She had never heard the song.
That surprised me. I’m pretty sure I initially learned the song at the majority white elementary school I attended, so I assumed it was standard for elementary kids in the U.S. Not so, I guess.
So what is the “Black…
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I am so dismayed at the headlines that even then people only half read. I’m sure I am guilty of it sometimes too but I promise you, I am going to investigate a little further if I am interested. This is song is so beautiful it is hard to imagine anyone objecting but..well..you know the but…or buts. …or butts…sigh!
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The song is beautiful, moving, and as far as I’m concerned everyone should know it and its history…but I don’t know why we still sing ANY anthem at ball games. (I know why the tradition was started. Don’t know why we still do it).
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Well i had never heard the song before and feel enriched by hearing it now.
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🙂
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I have never heard the song. Is it available on YouTube?
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Yes. If you click the link to the original post, there’s a YouTube link to one of the most beautiful renditions of the song I’ve ever heard.
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Thank you, I will check it out!
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Wow, I am listening to it right now!
It’s too good to be played at a sporting event.
Maybe it should be played at something that celebrates Black History Month.
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It is probably always played at African American programs and throughout Black History month. And, I agree, too good for football. It diminishes the significance. In fact, I vote for leaving all anthems out of sports. 😀 But, I do believe everyone should be familiar with the song and its history.
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Yes, people should know about these anthems.
I am Canadian but grew up in Windsor Ontario across from Detroit.
So being from there my knowledge of America is not all that bad. Our news was mostly from Detroit, along with the three major networks(pre-cable).
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I had never heard this song until you posted it. But I love it. Blessings to you this Independence Day.
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Yay! I’m glad you love it!
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The lyrics of the song is wow!.
Thanks for sharing this ma’am. I read a bit about him, it is shocking racism has stayed this long. Phew!
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It is a bit disconcerting. You’d think we would have gotten it together by now.
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Yes ma’am. I was shocked myself.
I pray that God heal our foundation really!. It all starts from there.
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