I admire pride on one's own race. I support it. I don't, however, understand why we have to have a Black National Anthem. Maybe I'm being too direct...
I was at the pep rally in high school. A girl sang the Star Spangled Banner, and every stood to honor the country's anthem. Then, afterwards, a lady came out and sang the Black National Anthem. She sang it beautifully, as the previous girl did, but I didn't understand why there had to be a seperate song for that race.
I still don't.
I understand pride, but this is America. We are all part of America. Is the American anthem not enough? Does there have to be such a seperation? I am proud to stand to the Star Spangled Banner, but when I have to stand to the Black National Anthem, I feel like I'm honoring just that one race. Why not come in with the Hispanic national anthem? The Asian? Any one of the European?
We are all part of America.
I'm black and I think that's ridiculous. Just another form of self-segregation on the part of black people.
--Naj
...I told you I'd change the world.
That is ridiculous and I agree it's another way for blacks to self-segregate themselves.
Sometimes it good to try to look at things from the other persons perspective. Why? Because this may help us from being 'hypocritical' in our way of thinking.
The Black National Anthem is all about heritage to many blacks who have lived through a time when Blacks were not considered human beings and were treated in that manner.
It is not meant to be offensive to other races. Heritage is very important. "Like they say, if you don't know where you came from you might end up there again."
Many who think that a Black National Anthem isn't necessary since all of us are Americans probably are all in favor of getting rid of the Rebel flag that is very offensive to many Blacks in America...Right?
No, I think we should let them sing it, and I think we should leave the Confederate battle flag alone as well.
The Union army forced the Southern states back into the Union, so the least they can do is let the Southern people have their heritage.
Live and let live.
African American people have their heritage, and should have it. When will the Southern people be allowed to have theirs without fighting for it.
African American Heritage = the right of all African Americans to celebrate their history, in song, with flags, with Kwanza, with whatever they want. Thousands died for that right. So be it.
Southern American Heritage = the right of all Southern Americans to celebrate their history, with song, with flags, with Confederate Memorial Day, with whatever they want. Thousands died for that right. So be it.
Human beings, no matter the heritage, race or beliefs have got to learn that we all are different, we have equal rights, and none of us should force our beliefs on each other. We must learn to tolerate each others differences and beliefs. If you see the Confederate battle flag as offensive, turn your head. If you see the FUBU logo offensive, turn your head.
There are worse things than having being offended by someone else's heritage or beliefs or products. Try watching your family die from hunger, disease, or drive by shottings. Try overcoming poverty, homelessness or depression.
I believe the African American people of our nation are allowing emotions and pride to cloud the view of the rights of the Southern People.
Take a long hard look at who is forced to be politically correct in this post. It is not the African American, it is the Southern American.
The deeds of the past can not be undone by the deeds of the present. It is making things worse for all of us.
Those that died for the cause, those that were enslaved unjustly, are all gone.
Is it so hard to believe that there were thousands of Black Southerns that fought and died for their homes and families during the War for Southern Independence? And they were not slaves.
Is it so hard to believe that there were thousands of White Southerns that fought and died for their homes and families during the War for Southern Independence? And they owned no slaves.
Pray for each other, don't look at each other as enemies. Remember, we are all God's Children, and we have all been given the same rights. Stop pointing fingers at each other, and judge not lest ye be judged.
I am a Southern born white woman, who enjoys learning and reading about history. I have learned many things that have opened my eyes to the truth. Please do your research, and study things for yourself. You'd be surprised at just what has been left out of our 12 years of education in public schools.
May the Higher Power watch over you,
I guess jews should be OK with, Germans flying the Swastika too?
"my first name must be, "He aint sh@t", cause everytime I come through, yall be like "He aint sh@t"!....I'll be dat" --Redman
"Anything that can go wrong, Will go wrong"----Murphy's Law
The Black National Anthem has so much history behind it. I agree this is America, but that songs mean so much to people who were not treated or given the same right as other people in this country. The Star Spangled banner is about triumph,freedom, and conquering- prevailing. The Black National Anthem serves that and so much more. I do not believe it's a way to separate the races, it's just acknowledgement.
"True beauty is a function of the soul"
This is not in any way to devalue the sufferings of African-Americans. However, there have been many groups who have treated poorly and not given the same rights as others during our history.
Women come to mind, as well as Irish Americans. Native American Indians have had everything taken away from them, and many live lives that are still limited by the laws and prejudices that murdered, raped, and destroyed their ancestors.
By the time we've written anthems for every group that was a victim of prejudice and violence, it would take hours before a football game could finally begin.
I do think it is segregating. I mean, do mexicans sing their anthem? No, (well they sing the american one in spanish) but that's different. I mean the anthem is to unite us all.
Why do people always have to drag hispanics into racial things? As I've seen this topic wasn't about mexicans or hispanics....So what I don't get is why you have to drag hispanics into this when the story that was said was about blacks and whites.....
It's about all races; the black national anthem was an example. Just because you're not white, does it make you unamerican? No. You're still an American.
There is a Black National Anthem?
I think if you changed it to be the "Black Anthem" that'd be ok. But to say that there is a Black Anthem and another one... that's just saying there are two Americas.
Anyone have a link to this anthem... I want to hear it.
P.S. Tiffy27... thanks for your comment.
Here is the link u were asking for
http://www.black-network.com/anthem.htm
For one thing, there were two Americas at the time that Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing was written. It is still sung today as a symbol of affirmation and pride for the Black American experience.
I find it interesting that people have such a problem with a "black national anthem" or any other type of affirmation of black history, yet no one takes offense to children of Vietnamese backgrounds learning their parents' native languages or Native Americans displaying their cultural heritage. When black people do the same, it's "self-segregation." Funny.
I don't think anyone has expressed an issue with black people celebrating their heritage. The difference comes when any group tries to seperate itself -- in effect saying "The American anthem is for all of you, now this is our anthem. Everyone besides us shut up and listen. You are outsiders."
Jews often view the Israeli national anthem as a song of affirmation for all Jews. But if a group of Jews decided to sing Hatikvah after the American anthem at a football game, I'm sure that many people would react as the posters in this thread have. The message of a sperate anthem is just that -- seperate.
Very interesting thread. I thought I would throw out a POV from someone who does not label himself a progressive.
Some facts
* The words to the song are quite beautiful and hopeful ( I would imagine the melody is as well)
* When the melody and lyrics were written (1899-1900), oppression of minorities, in particular blacks, in the US was severe.
* By the 1920s and certaintly by the 1940s, the song had become an unofficial anthem of the Black cause.
I think it is terribly important America not forget the ugliness and hardships of its past. However, life is a slippery slope. The past is only useful if we use it to build a better future. If we do not work hard at race, we are not immune to slipping backwards.
If America of 2056 is going to make real strides on issues of race, ethnicity, culture and language, every group in the US is going to have to shed their "old" ways. This effort must include groups who have been the traditional targets of racism in the US.
Leaders of groups that have long been oppressed often fight yesterday's war with yesterday's imagery and rhetoric. "Lift Every Voice and Sing" hold a timeless message. However, when its public use is done to achieve political aims, it has the potential to self-segregate and worse, focus the battle back on the past. Such a strategy is wrong-headed.
I have no problem with the song, none whatsoever. However, I do do hope that pride instilled by the song drives young black minds toward resolving 21st century afflictions rather than cause attention to focus on the ugliness of the past.
Today's wars are very different and in many ways even more opporessive. In the Black community, it is drug use, terrible
under utilization of schools, violent crime, the culture of bling, AIDS, and the break up of the nuclear family. Six strikes against a community that cannot afford more than one or two. And while I may catch grief for this, it is also the tendency to recall that past imagery as scapegoat for the modern condition. It is not only wrong headed, but the only community that suffers is the Black community itself.
Cheers
I see so much self segregation. The Black Miss America, the Black this, the black that. If the black race wants there to be less segregation, then they themselves hsve to stop it. This song is just another "feather" in the cap of self segregation. How can we move on if the past is constantly stirred up? If you don't kick a lying dog, he won't bite ya!! Once the black race gets ahold of themselves and stops crying oppression of the past and works on the future to make it better, things will get better. I would love to see all of the black talking heads put as much effort into making things better as they do in reminding us of the past. People can not move on if they are constantly reminded of the past!!!!
I am sure this will probably not make it into the blog, but I hope whoever reads these, will maybe take a moment to reflect on what is trying to be said here.
I agree with you, but be careful of generalizations. Not all black people do or don't do anything. Just like not all women, or blondes, or football players...
--Naj
...I told you I'd change the world.
I think its stupid. I'm black but we're all American. We're supposed to be united. I've never heard of the black national anthem. Then theres the new anthem in spanish which i am also against. The us shud make a law prohibiting any amendments to our anthem or the star spangled banner.
Translating the National Anthem into Spanish is very different from re-writing it to fit one race. Hispanic people who don't speak English could still honor our nation.
--Naj
...I told you I'd change the world.
Translating the anthem is like changing it to their favouring. It's the national anthem; it represents America. It's not just the fact that the translation alters some meanings, but also the fact that it's no longer completely American. It feels kind of like, "I'm honoring America, with a bit of the hispanic culture" instead of the sole purpose of the song: "I honor America".
But that is not the point of my post. My post was really trying to say what Medic64 so directly pointed out. It's not just the song, but many things that happen everywhere that creates segregation. There are black radio stations (and you can't deny it, although the stations don't say it directly; their choice of music is unvaried), is a Black Miss America, and I'm sure you can name more because off the top of my head I can already say that there is a website for black business owners to professionally advertise.
I agree that nothing is completely equal yet, so no one can ask for much. I understand that it's not only the black race, for I know of some hispanic-only radio stations as well. I understand it's a way of introducing culture.
I do not understand, however, why a specific race's culture will go side by side with the culture of what is all-agreed American.
You can say that America has no real culture; that it is a blend of cultures. But, you cannot say that the solid American things can go side by side with something else. The Declaration of Independance shall not be written in another language for the sake of understanding, for example. And so, why should the anthem?
Actually, I'd hope that the Declaration will be translated into many languages so that everyone CAN understand it. And I'm sure that it HAS been translated many, many times.
As of today, there is no official state language in the US. English is very common, and many immigrants in the past chose to learn English in order to better assimilate. For my family, the result is that none of the generations born in the US speak Yiddish ... something I regret. I have no problem with people maintaining their cultures when they come here.
If English is really necessary and intergral to American life, they'll end up learning it.
Ok, I'm going to be completly honest right now...I have never heard of the Black National Anthem. What is it?
Kristine Johnson
I’m black and I think pride is one thing, but to be truly equal we have to look pass our skin color and only concern ourselves with what makes us equal. If we as people can't look pass the difference of ourselves to accomplish a greater goal, how can we expect others to do the same? Hey but that’s the key when will we ever as the majority come to this term of realization. The Civil rights movement was to help us have the rights, without worrying about the oppression segregation of others, to become equal. Now its time to move forward and create, I propose, "The Progressive Movement", where we move forward to be equal, without the oppression and segregation created within ourselves and our community. When we truly see ourselves as equals and not just people who deserve equality, In my opinion, then we will be respected by others as equals. We would take the responsibility on ourselves to disprove stereotypes and statistics by not becoming one. We will discourage racial Identity and encourage "Individual Identity", for the thing that makes us equal is that we are each human individuals.
Unfortunetly now a days blacks segragate themselves more than anyones.
I completely agree. No one is ignoring the history of blac opression, but I find no need to further separate ourselves by making our "own" national anthems specific to our race. Could you imagine if white people had a "european white pride" national anthem? Good freaking LORD every activist in the country would be up in arms, and rightfully so.
The problem today is acknowledging forms of racism and segregation. What I've learned is everybody expects these two things to be promoted only by white people. That only white people are racist towards black and other minorities, and that only white people want to separate black and white. In reality, it happens on BOTH sides of the line. I view organizations like the New Black Panther Party as exceptionally racist. Not only do they hate white people, they make outrageous racial comments of anti-semitism, accusing all Jews of knowing about September 11th. One member of their party went as far as to say that the reason so few Jews died in the WTC was because they knew about it and stayed home that day. They absolutely HATE white people and just degrade white people for no reason other than their own anger. They do not empower black people, or inspire, as I feel the original BPP did, but rather seek to separate and forge rifts between cultures. They want one race, and one race only; black.
I respect pride in one's self, whether it is race, religion, orientation, or simply accomplishments...however, there is a time and place for pride, and it is not neccessarily when a group is made up of many different orientations, races and religion. I respect every body I come in contact with as a person, and generally as an American (unless I'm somewhere else). I don't feel that I respect a black person because his great great great great great grandfather was opressed by slavery. Nor do I respect a Jewish person because their grandmother was in the Holocaust. I don't respect people based on orientation, I respect people as equals. All on the same level. I wish everyone did.
..look i think it's totally stupid and ridiculus..like,why the need for a black anthem?
i am black-african to be exact..and i think it's just stupid and insane for a race to come out with it's own anthem!!!
if the eauropeans came out with their anthem we would call them neo-nazis or xenophobists!
tunde
The song was written in 1899-1900 and as someone on this page
pointed out harsh treament of blacks were severe. Nevertheless, i feel that we don't need the anthem today but lets not act like the past was all good and the anthem had no purpose or right to be.
wow honestly i've never even heard of this. i'm gonna have to look up the lyrics. hmm well the point of the naional anthem is it shows respect to the country as a whole. well thats how i always look at it. like when do we always hear it? sporting events (the one thing that brings millions of people together for a good cause). And well just having a seperate anthem sung, unless its between teams from two diffrent countries, kind of works against its purpose. It really segregates blacks from everyone else, and that clearly isn't what anybody should want
I didn't even know there was a black national anthem. We'll never be able to just look past race if people keep calling attention to it. I think there is one national anthem for all of America and that is the one that should be sung at football games and all those good things. We have to learn from the past, change, and move forward. It feels like people are trying to dwell on things. We can't change the fact that slavery happened or that we stole our land from Indians. We just all have to say, "Damn that wasn't very nice of us. Everyone is equal. We need to change." and change and move on. We can't forget the past but dwelling on it isn't going to get anyone anywhere.
~Jasmine~
I am sorry. I have trouble understanding many people today. There are many people who think that racial discrimination does not exist anymore. It does. We are not yet one America. If we were one America then blacks and hispanics wouldn't be so unproportionally affected by poverty. If you want to ignore that America is very flawed go ahead. We are coming close to being one America. However assimilation is the wrong path to take. It isn't right for caucasians to ask us to give up our heritage and culture to become Americans. It should be a tossed salad not a melting pot. I can be American and still enjoy my Mexican heritage. I shouldn't be told you can't hold up the Mexican flag when its Cinco de Mayo. Cultural diversity is important. if we all assmiliated and became a true "one america" it would be pretty boring. The black national anthem exists to honor that now blacks are treated mostly equally whereas only a couple of years ago they were completely treated like another species. It exists to remind us of our not perfect past so that we do not repeat the mistakes that they made.
I highly, disagree with tunde. not just him/her but to all who is against it! Im black and am proud of it! YOU GUYS DONT GET IT! The reason for a black national anthem is to remind us of the hardships and deaths that got us this far. Dont bring Hespanics, Jews, Europeans, etc into this discusion about the black national anthem! Your out of contects! Also the anthem didnt apear out of nowhere. You guys think it just apeared real recently. It was made along time ago (1899 to be exact). The black national anthem is to lift up us blacks to be strong, not to self segragate! I need to write a paper on it and wat it means to me. I didnt know at first till i came on this site. Even though im 12 years old i was upset to hear some of these blogs. You people who are not black and even some who are dont even have the slightest idea about wat black people went through. Black people back then didnt get treated right. Maybe Hispanics and other races were mistreated but not as bad; no not even close to being mistreated like blacks. Our black ansestors went though alot. Dying, Cheated, Not concidered as humans to white people(i do not mean it in a racial way). They were beatened and hanged. They couldnt get the same education like the whites can. They had to sit on the back of the bus. They couldnt sit with white people. They had to walk miles to get to work or school if they cant take the bus. Even today they are being arrested for know reason and acused for no reason! People dont see it but there is still racial segragation. Some white people want to be black but yet dont want to be. They want to talk like us but yet dont want to be disgriminated. They want to walk like us but yet they dont want to be acused for no reason. They want to rap like us but yet they dont want to get arrested for no reason. Im not trying to be racist but its true. This song means alot to me. This might not be the winning blog but at least i get to have a chance to say what my heart is telling me to say.
Jeremiah Snowden
Age: 12
Race:BLACK AND PROUD OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are a very bright 12 year old. But read more about your history and others. You still have much to learn (like not only blacks were hung, etc) but it's nice to see someone your age who cares so much ^_^
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"You're asking me to *read*?! I'm not even in class...and just to think I had to put on pants for this."
~npsm18
Best video evar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD8qubsp39M
I have to agree with Hernandez and Jerry. when I sing the anthem, it's not because I want to separate myself from all other "races", it's because I remember the history of black people. That song makes me proud that we have come this far and reminds me of how far we have left to go. Just because it's not about America doesn't mean that it's about segregating ourselves. This song was written a few decades after blacks were freed from slavery. When I hear the words "till victory is won", I know that we still haven't achieved that victory. I agree with Hernandez, why does everyone have to conform to Caucasian standards to be considered American?
____________________________________________________________________-
It Changes
I Dance Naked Around A Tree At Midnight
______________________________
The law cannot change one's heart.
Let's start by saying I am also African American or in many of the previous comments, black. The question should be more or less who should have a national anthem. We pride our selves as American and there is such misunderstanding in that word, be cause i've served in war for my country as a U.S. Soldier. I'm proud of our country, yes, but I am also proud of my heritage.
Many of you stated we are all Americans why should black people have a different anthem or posses their own. To be technical why should we, of course it stands for our struggles through history and for what we have be come as a nation, I could be wrong, but doesn't the Black National Anthem stand for the same. I ask this mainly because of that word Americans that stands out so highly. The U.S. is a part of America, we don't ask why Canada has their own anthem or even Mexico, are they not a part of this continent known as America so they are truly Americans as well. See we say we are Americans not thinking of the other countries part of this continent. We so easily call nations by there continent and not their country. Even more frequently we address so many bly color or facial feature instead of the fact that they are human and have been a struggle.
As far as the person wanting to represent the south remember we as US citizens place that back because of what we put others through because of color and differences, wanting to have an anthem for such elucite acts would not be appropriate for the nation we've become. Now don't get me wrong I still feel that it should be able to be celebrated but in a possitive and not how it was back then, due to the fact that a lot of that history and celebrations were derogitory and very much undoubtedly racist in almost all content. We have moved past those things but with out it we would not be, So I agree do not hide it but portray in the postiveness it became not the negative ness it was.
Now back to the real deal, the Black national anthem is not to segregate anyone But to show truth in what we have worked our way through and to keep lifting the spirits of those who have forgotten where we began as African American. So remeber to many as well as ourselves we were only black, not human, dogs, slaves, unteachable and not to be thought of as equals, but now within the words of this song we not only placed our struggles as an individual race or color but as a nation of people, colors of all types that's if you actually listen and pay attention to the words and not listen to the beauty of the tones coming from the vocalist.
Well got to go love you all a like and will speak more at a later date, gotta war to fight.
I don't think there is anything wrong with the Black National Anthem. I think what most people are offended by is the title. Nothing in the lyrics even suggests that it was written by Black people or for Black people. The meanings are universal. As well, the song applies just as much to any American as it does to African Americans. It is a part of American history.
Some people feel like the anthem should have never been created. But if you look at it in the context of history it makes perfect sense and poses no threat to American unity and solidarity. The anthem was written in 1900 by James Weldon Johnson at the turn of the century ( 35 years after the end of slavery, at the height of Jim Crow, and the overturn of the Reconstruction Era.) The meaning behind it represents a new beginning, letting go of the past, and looking forward to progress in the future. It is hopeful.
This song would better be understood as the (Unofficial) Black National Anthem. There was no board or governing body who decided that this is the anthem for ALL Black people. This is not something that Black people actually voted on. Never the less, it was embraced by many because of the inspiration it gives. It was written and it exists. That cannot be undone. It does not contradict anyones loyalty to America or to the National Anthem. It shouldn't be taken so literally. We all have anthems. Sometimes its just a summer anthem--sometimes its the theme of our lives. The Black National Anthem is specific towards the goals of Black people to not become discouraged or docile or to ruminate on the past. It conveys a loyalty towards these goals--just as all Americans try to create a nation that is dedicated to being "the land of the free and home of brave." As demonstrated in earlier posts, not all Black people even know it exists. But it is a part of our history and msut be accepted as such.
Also, I think the issue of the song is further complicated by the shock that it even exists. I'm an education major. I think U.S. history should incorporate more about the different groups that make up and create American history (Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, African, Native American, Irish, Jewish and so forth.) And then, perhaps, the existence of a Black National Anthem wouldn't be such a shock.
Some of the people who have posted discuss the song as if it were written yesterday--not 107 years ago. It is a relic of the past--but the ideas behind it continue to be embraced.
To stand for the Black National Anthem is not about honoring a race--it's about honoring struggle and progress. No stride in Black history would've been possible without the help of White people. Likewise, the song doesn't accuse any people or any nation--the experience is merely accepted for what it is--unfortunate. This is also what makes it American. It's about being an American. So please, if anyone ever sings the Black national anthem at your school...stand up. Honor this time of change in American history and honor future progress.
In conclusion, I'd like to say that at best this "Black National Anthem" perhaps creates the perception that there is separation especially to those who are evaluating it out of context. But the Black National Anthem = inspiration to a people who share a common history and a common struggle. That's it. At the time this was written self-segregation was not the goal. If that was the purpose it would've never been written because segregation was a reality.
hey i think there should be a national anthem for blacks because everyone else has a anthem including mexican cuban indian and ect. but think about it the anthem does not suggest it's just for african american. i mean who was the united states anthem created by white people and does it suggest it's just for white people. also if people from america sing there anthem what's the problem with african americans having an anthem. also it's good for people who are african americans to have a anthem because we all know we have black history month and this and nothing else. plus if you think about it whites have everything from a white president down to all the money. so whats a littel anthem going to do. i am not racist or anything i mean it's just everything is run by white people. wich brings me to obama i mean people are saying he should not run because he is black but why would people say that if everyone is trying to be black even the hispanics. cause even hilary tryed to say she was part black . plus it would be a change because people only think of the regular black people has thiefs and some people have the nerve to think that we owe them something so what you guys don't keep us as slaves or you let us get decent jobs. also now hispanics are being treated the same way as if they owe white people something because you guys let them come here and i don't care if you say that not all white people think that way but most do. and don't try cursing me out because im only an eleven year old child
hey i think there should be a national anthem for balcks because everyone else has a anthem including mexican cuban indian and ect. but think about it the anthem does not suggest it's just for african american. i mean who was the united states anthem created by whit people and does it suggest it's just for white people. also if people from america sing there anthem does what's the problem with african americans having an anthem. also it's good for people who are african americans to have a anthem because iwe all know the have black history month and this and nothing else. plus if you think about it whites have everything from a white president down to all the money. so whats a littel anthem going to do. i am not racist or anything i mean it's just everything is run by white people. wich brings me to obama i mean people are saying he should not run because he is black but why would people say that if everyone is trying to be black even the hispanics. cause even hilary tryed to say she was part black . plus it would be a change because people only think of the regular black people has thiefs and some people have the nerve to think that we owe them something so what you guys don't keep us as slaves or you let us get decent jobs. also now hispanics are being treated the same way as if they owe white people something becaues you guys let the come here and i don't care if you say that not all white people think that way but most do. and don't try cursing me out becuase im only an eleven year old child
You need to realize that the Black National Anthem gained its popularity at the time of the civil rights movement so it is understandable that so many have not heard of it. If you look at the words it is/was a symbol of hope for a better world. Its purpose was not to segregate but to unify a people whose past was built on despair and who at that period of time were not included in many aspects of this country. It was a rally cry for the civil rights movement and was an important part of the civil rights struggle.
I do not believe, however, that it should have been sung by the lady in place of the National Anthem. She was asked to sing the National Anthem and she should have done so or refused to sing at all.
I just want to say that I think that is the most stupidest thing that I have ever heard of.
Most black people are saying the they are mistreated and that they want to be treated equally but then they segregate themselves by having "Black History Month" and "Kwanzaa" and now they have "Black National Anthem". How is that being treated equally? Are the white people suppose to stand for the "Black National Anthem"?
Let me get this straight, they don't want to be segregated but, to be treated equal, but they have there own " everything ". Are they wanting the white people to join them and then they are being equal. They need to just get over what happened and understand that it is over and try to better their selves. Most of them are expecting the government to take care of them, because they are "owed", well, what about all of the Asians that were treated the same way , but they aren't acting like being the victim.
I think that they want their cake and eat it to. I am so tired of hearing about how they are the victims.
I think it is fantastic when people speak from their own experience, rather than making declarations like "they do this" and "they think that."
I would like to suggest a book that I enjoyed very much, which you may also find interesting, since these issues are obviously on your mind. It is called White Privilege, and it is edited by Paula S. Rothenberg. I encourage you to check it out.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
I just want to say that I think that is the most stupidest thing that I have ever heard of.
Most black people are saying the they are mistreated and that they want to be treated equally but then they segregate themselves by having "Black History Month" and "Kwanzaa" and now they have "Black National Anthem". How is that being treated equally?
SO... like i said before... how is this self-segregation? thats not what this anthem is about! also you shouldn't even be complaining... you also should know that, in deed, black people are STILL the victims to this very day! i cant believe you would say something like that? not only blacks are victims but also chinese, iraqeans,and especially jews are victims every day(if you hadn't notice, theres barly any racist moments in our history that involves whites being beateded, hanged,etc.)!!! WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE!!!!!! THERES RACISM ALL AROUND YOU!!!!!! and the reason why there is a black history mounth and a national anthem for african americans is the simple fact that...
1. its concidered history
2. everyone else has one
3. its what keeps us going to this very day
Also why did you mention kwanza!?!?!? its not even a national holliday. by the way, if you have a problem with that then you should have a problem with saint patricks day, hannukka, and just about all of the national holidays. the reason being is that most of them hat we celebrate are from diffrent cultures especially christmas! if you hadn't realized that is a jewish holliday, same with easter. yet you have a problem with kwanza....please
They need to just get over what happened and understand that it is over and try to better their selves.
I get what your saying on this part but theres one problem.... HOW IN GODS GREEN EARTH ARE YOU GONNA GET OVER THAT!?!?!?!?! its easy for you to say but for people who experienced that kind of torture, back-stabbing, lying, deceatful behavior? well some people talk about the Holocause, and thats why so many jews are scared for life. if you also want to say "then how come they dont have there one national anthem and/or how come they dont ask the government for money"?
1. they do have a national anthem
2. they dont ask for it... they atomatically get benefits (they don't have to pay taxes... as far as the jews in new york). also it never happened in the U.S.A so why should they ask for money from the government?
3. they barely socialize with others besides there own kind( by the way the jewish people im associating with is the ones with the strict culture located in new york)
and to add on that "making them better themselfs" is the that they had been since slavery; with the nonviolent acts of protest...how is that not bettering themselves?
also we cant forget our roots or else history will in deed repeat itself.
I just want to say that I think that is the most stupidest thing that I have ever heard of.
Do you think it is more stupid or less stupid than saying "most stupidest?"
TTFN,
Blackout
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Patriotic Atheism
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Check out Progressive PRIDE, a Gay-Straight Alliance for the Progressive U community.
I'm Black American, and i was born in the year 1964, and there was a such thing as two americas. For many reasons i did not feel so patriotic when i heard or stood for the national anthem. But the black national anthem was something that did instill pride and did give me a sense of belonging that i did not feel from the national anthem. Because the people here did not allow us feel like first class americans and we did not share the same rights how could i feel what whites felt about our country and how could i get chills running thru my heart when reciting the national anthem. Lift every voice did fill that void!!! Nevertheless, we have come a long way since that time and we all have some ways to go. i dont think it was right to sing the black national anthem when you were invited to sing the national anthem. And i do feel that we really need to move beyond having two anthems because it shows that segregation still lives. To conclude, again we don't need two anthems, and we should not have two flags because we are all americans none better than the other. Once we truly understand this then blacks will not have a need for this anthem and whites won't have desire or need for the confederate flag.
Where do I start? First of all, the song is called "LIFT EV'RY VOICE AND SING" (keyword: Every), so whites, asians,
hispanics, and whoever else feels the words of the song can sing it too. I don't know who started calling it the Black
National Anthem. Second of all, the words of the song, do NOT
contain the words "Black," "African American," "Negro," "Afro American," "colored," or any other name
we might have been called by, so I don't see why people are getting so bent out of shape that some group
has taken to this song more than other groups of people. We probably relate to it more because of what we (blacks) went through in
the past. It's probably because WE DON'T KNOW WHERE WE'RE FROM. No, most of us don't even know what
country we're from, and some of us don't know what continent we're from, so we embrace things like this
that remind us what kind of people we are and should be.
And, for argument's sake, if it was titled The Black National Anthem and the program leaders allowed it to be sung and not for
every other race to sing their anthem song, it'd probably
be in recognition for blacks building up this country with
our bare hands and getting no other pay or recognition for it. We were supposed to get paid for it, but were never
paid and now it's determined that the financial debt of the agreement +interest (on that 40 acres and a
mule we were contractually promised) is too great to pay. We didn't choose to come over here because America was a
land of opportunity like many others groups of people did, so our situation is quite different, although we now just get
lumped into the "minority" category.
And yes, that cotton money (and wealth from inventions stolen from blacks) is still being circulated today and has made
it's investors plenty of money, much of
which is still outside of the reach of many blacks. And you come on here and cry that "these people have
a song! It's not fair!" So What! They claimed a song... a positive song about hope and faith when
the situation looked hopeless to us. Many of us ain't got much else to claim. So if some black people
claim a song that gives us hope, encouragement, and sense of identity, I can't fault them for it.
(yes I said "ain't." We'll claim that too, lol)
But seriously, do yourselves a favor and GO READ THE LYRICS if you're really so concerned (http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15588).
For those of you who just want to argue here and don't really care enough to go look, here's some of the words:
"Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
...
God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who has brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who has by Thy might,
Led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray."
If you and the people of your heritage (also speaking to blacks) feel like you can sing these
lyrics, I think you should go for it, because honestly,
we need more people these days who will actually stand up and
RECOGNIZE GOD IN A SONG and where he has brought the people of this country so far.
In fact, if you object to this song being sung, I'd have imagined it would be because it encourages one to
have faith and dedication to God (in a society where God often seen as taboo) and not because black people like to sing it.
This a song appears to be a song of faith, not one of pride. The faith that many held (in Christ and the
Bible) is very much against pridefulness. So please stop saying that this is about black pride. And there
is nothing segregating about the song.
Maybe it got called a "black" song because a black person wrote it and some
others didn't want to embrace it because is came from a black person (As a poet who is black, I've experienced that).
Perhaps some blacks thought it should
be their national anthem, cause when The Star Spangled Banner was written blacks were still enslaved in America.
I think Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing would make a better National Anthem of America anyway cause it's a much better summary
of what America is now (though we had some dark times) and speaks more of the good heart of people
and character and faith and hope. Yet the Star Splangled Banner is song about exalting a flag and war. It's about
freedom too, but it was written during a time when many of the people of America were not even free.
I don't even know whether blacks were even considered Americans at the time. In fact, I didn't mean to come here and say this
but the Star Spangled Banner seems quite hypocritical in that area. Although the Star Spangled Banner was declared the National Anthem in 1931 when blacks
were free, it was written as a poem in 1814 when slavery was the American way (slavery wasn't abolished in the U.S. until 1865). That's odd, because the most memorable
line touts "land of the FREE, home of the brave," yet the people of the land weren't free, and were not at home here. On top of that, it was set to the tune of a popular British drinking song.
The rest of it basically idolizes the flag... a true American Idol and something else that is supposed to be a symbol of freedom
yet was established at a time when America's people were still violently enslaved (1776/1818). Perhaps that's why
some blacks feel that it wasn't made for us.
What WE SHOULD celebrate of America is that we've come so far from where we once were. Not only should we celebrate our progress, but
continue to progress, and that's what "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" is about. I hope this helps.
Honor everybody. Love everybody.
www.stagepoet.com
When someone contracts to perform a specified task, they should feel obligated to do the right thing. Since Ms Rene Marie has stated that she will never sing the "Star Spangled Banner" which is the National Anthem of the United States of America, or any other patriotic songs, then she never should have accepted the invitation or even been invited to perform. She said about an interviewed that "she realized that as an African-American she at times feels like a foreigner in her home country". I feel very sorry for her, but how many of her feelings of alienation and self-separation are attributed to her own lifestyle and from her referring to herself as an African-American and not as an "American". Is there some unknown union between Africa and America that only Blacks may participate in or is there a separate country within a country everyone else is not aware of, The United States of America and within that a sub country, The United States of the Black America, with a separate Black National Anthem?
She obviously considers herself a non-USA-citizen in a country historically referred to as a Melting Pot. People from virtually every country in the world have emigrated to the United States of America in search of freedoms, opportunities and liberties not found in many lands. They have melded their cultures into one and which has made our country so diversified and yet so unified. All those people who passed through Elis Island, etc, were looking forward to unifying themselves with others sharing their common goal to become Americans and to exercise the freedoms granted by our forefathers. They shared who they were and where they came from with those from other lands, each learning from the other, growing together through acceptance of diverse cultures. Italians introduced others to Pizza, Germans brought beer, Swiss shared chocolate, the Jewish taught others how to succede in busines. My ancesters are from Norway and Wales. They left their homes and friends when given an opportunity to move to "America" to meet new and different people and start a new life with new opportunities. I do not refer to myself as a Norwegian-American or a Welsh-American or a Scandinavian-British-American but as an American. I've never forgotten the heritage of my ancestors. My parents shared that with me and I shared it with my children and friends. There are numerous organizations and events celebrating my Scandinavian heritage all across the country. We don't need to separate ourselves from the rest of America to remember where we came from or to force others to think of us as self-separating. Whether or not we feel we are Americans is entiely up to us.
The very Constitution that grants us the freedom of speech has been crushed under foot by Rene Marie. She went well past any excuse of artistic expression and slapped every citizen attending the State of the City meeting in the face, all 700 of them, in a state where less than 5% are Black. Now, IF an African-American is ever asked to perform our country's Nation Anthem, it will be with serious concern and doubt. Rene Marie has set the precident. I appologize if I sound recist, but in our politically correct world, Rene Marie set herself out there on a limb alone. She even managed to force Barrack Obama to separate himself from the disrespect she exercised to our nation and its citizens.
There are many blogs being shared about the Black National Anthem. There are a lot, even African-Americans, that have never heard of it. A 12 year old said: "The reason for a black national anthem is to remind us of the hardships and deaths that got us this far." If you read all the verses to the Star Spangled Banner, you will also be reminded of the hardships and deaths that were experienced by the founders of this great country. I know of songs that remind me of the hardships of my personal ancestors and the sacrifices they endured. I cherish them and the events and people they remind me of. I don't need to force those songs on others for me to remember my history. In todays world, we need to be focused on the future. We neet to get past the past and the attrocities that occured during the history of this mighty nation that will never be forgotten. We can not move forward if we are tied down to the past. That was what drove people from many nations to merge into one, the thought of what could be, not what was and where they came from.
Craig
When someone contracts to perform a specified task, they should feel obligated to do the right thing. Since Ms Rene Marie has stated that she will never sing the "Star Spangled Banner" which is the National Anthem of the United States of America, or any other patriotic songs, then she never should have accepted the invitation or even been invited to perform. She said about an interviewed that "she realized that as an African-American she at times feels like a foreigner in her home country". I feel very sorry for her, but how many of her feelings of alienation and self-separation are attributed to her own lifestyle and from her referring to herself as an African-American and not as an "American". Is there some unknown union between Africa and America that only Blacks may participate in or is there a separate country within a country everyone else is not aware of, The United States of America and within that a sub country, The United States of the Black America, with a separate Black National Anthem?
She obviously considers herself a non-USA-citizen in a country historically referred to as a Melting Pot. People from virtually every country in the world have emigrated to the United States of America in search of freedoms, opportunities and liberties not found in many lands. They have melded their cultures into one and which has made our country so diversified and yet so unified. All those people who passed through Elis Island, etc, were looking forward to unifying themselves with others sharing their common goal to become Americans and to exercise the freedoms granted by our forefathers. They shared who they were and where they came from with those from other lands, each learning from the other, growing together through acceptance of diverse cultures. Italians introduced others to Pizza, Germans brought beer, Swiss shared chocolate, the Jewish taught others how to succede in busines. My ancesters are from Norway and Wales. They left their homes and friends when given an opportunity to move to "America" to meet new and different people and start a new life with new opportunities. I do not refer to myself as a Norwegian-American or a Welsh-American or a Scandinavian-British-American but as an American. I've never forgotten the heritage of my ancestors. My parents shared that with me and I shared it with my children and friends. There are numerous organizations and events celebrating my Scandinavian heritage all across the country. We don't need to separate ourselves from the rest of America to remember where we came from or to force others to think of us as self-separating. Whether or not we feel we are Americans is entiely up to us.
The very Constitution that grants us the freedom of speech has been crushed under foot by Rene Marie. She went well past any excuse of artistic expression and slapped every citizen attending the State of the City meeting in the face, all 700 of them, in a state where less than 5% are Black. Now, IF an African-American is ever asked to perform our country's Nation Anthem, it will be with serious concern and doubt. Rene Marie has set the precident. I appologize if I sound recist, but in our politically correct world, Rene Marie set herself out there on a limb alone. She even managed to force Barrack Obama to separate himself from the disrespect she exercised to our nation and its citizens.
There are many blogs being shared about the Black National Anthem. There are a lot, even African-Americans, that have never heard of it. A 12 year old said: "The reason for a black national anthem is to remind us of the hardships and deaths that got us this far." I know of songs that remind me of the hardships of my ancestors and the sacrifices they endured. I cherish them and the events and people they remind me of. I don't need to force those songs on others for me to remember my history. In todays world, we need to be focused on the future. We neet to get past the past and the attrocities that occured during the history of this mighty nation will never be forgotten. We can not move forward if we are tied down to the past. That was what drove people from many nations to merge into one, the thought of what could be, not what was and where they came from.
Craig
Hi Craig,
You should really have read my post (the one right before yours) before you wrote all of this, because I think you're looking at it all through the eyes of others' comments and not for what the situation actually is.
Flyguypoet,
I wish I had read your post before writing mine. I would have commented on yours also. The focus of my post was that singing the Black National Anthem, or "LIFT EV'RY VOICE AND SING" was not what Ms Rene Marie was asked to perform.
Although "LIFT EV'RY VOICE AND SING" has been sung in the past following "The Star Spangled Banner" in events where there was a significant African-American population, she chose to make a political statement rather than honorably fulfill her accepted task. She didn't even sing both songs, she just did an old switcheroo as she called it. Did she do this because she does not feel she is a citizen of this country? I guess no one else will truely know that answer. I've lived in another country and the lack of patriotic spirit in this USA is appalling. If she doesn't feel like a citizen of this country . . . you know the line.
And you are right when you say African-Americans do not know where they come from and which country their ancestors are from. I'm sure most African-Americans have traced there ancestry back to that period of slavery and are not jumping on that band wagon only because it suits their political agenda. I apologize to all those direct decendents of slaves because my ancestors were wrong in not keeping proper records of where all the slaves came from. Oh, wait, my ancestors had nothing to do with that. My ancestors didn't imigrate to this country until well after 1865. Why am I being punished for the sins of others? Could it be because I'm white and for no other reason?
I did read the words to "LIFT EV'RY VOICE AND SING". It has a very powerful spirit through a message of trials and hope. It is a prayer of lamentation to God . That was why it was found in the hymnals of black churches across the country. It was adopted by the NAACP in 1919 as the Negro National Anthem and was entered into the Congressional Record in 1990 as the official African American National Anthem.
The whole issue of my post was that she decieved everyone. She purposely chose to replace the words to the music of "The Star Spangled Banner" with those of another song, a song in which she evidently does not believe since the last few lines of "LIFT EV'RY VOICE AND SING" are:
May we forever stand,
True to our God,
True to our native land.
Obviously Rene Marie has a little trouble being true to either her God or her Native Land. She decided not to follow the message of the song she was singing. And that is a very sad political statement.
Craig
The blacks of the U.S. did not invent segregation. The blacks of the U.S. did not invent the term race nor the term black nor any of the words used to describe the people group they have been forced into. The one-drop rule! The blacks of the U.S. did not invent "separate but equal" nor was "Jim Crow" a person. The black Ellis Island was an auction block.
If you think the present situation of U.S. blacks is not a result of their past in the U.S. then you are simply a fool who is all too willing to accept some facts and ignore the unpleasant ones.
Life Every Voice and Sing speaks to humanity. It should be the anthem for any people group that finds itself in the unenviable position of being oppressed and down trodden. It is a song that is as relevant today as it was when it was written. You are your brother's keeper, we all are!
The blacks of the U.S. did not invent segregation. The blacks of the U.S. did not invent the term race nor the term black nor any of the words used to describe the people group they have been forced into. The one-drop rule! The blacks of the U.S. did not invent "separate but equal" nor was "Jim Crow" a person. The black Ellis Island was an auction block.
If you think the present situation of U.S. blacks is not a result of their past in the U.S. then you are simply a fool who is all too willing to accept some facts and ignore the unpleasant ones.
Life Every Voice and Sing speaks to humanity. It should be the anthem for any people group that finds itself in the unenviable position of being oppressed and down trodden. It is a song that is as relevant today as it was when it was written. You are your brother's keeper, we all are!
AMEN!!!!! LOL
you did alot better at explaining it than ill ever do (for a 14 year old i barely learn about black history month in my school and its a shame)
Ok Ok Ok I am an AMERICAN! ! ! Not a White, Caucasian, European American. I have no problems with any people, or do I have problems with this song. It is a great song very powerful. I sang it in Catholic School growing up. But I recall the hymn being called " Lift Every Voice and Sing" Not The Black National Anthem. The song doesn't need to go anywhere. Only the ridiculous tile. There can not be a Black National Anthem. There Could Be A Black Anthem, just not a Black National Anthem (at least not until someone finds a new land and names it the Country of Black). All it really does is dig us all into a deeper hole of segregation.
But I recall the hymn being called " Lift Every Voice and Sing" Not The Black National Anthem. The song doesn't need to go anywhere. Only the ridiculous tile. There can not be a Black National Anthem. There Could Be A Black Anthem, just not a Black National Anthem (at least not until someone finds a new land and names it the Country of Black). All it really does is dig us all into a deeper hole of segregation.
i totally get where your coming from but it has always been the black national anthem.
the reason why its called lift every voice and sing was to prevent problems in the church ( churches that were dominated by whites in the1960s). also the reason why its called the black NATIONAL anthem is because it was very apropreite during the time of segregation( meaning the time when it was bad, cuz there is still segregation in this world today). the "national" was to represent all of the the african americans in this nation that weren't treated right.