“It’s much more applicable to the United States as we would love it to be more than ‘The Star-Spangled Banner,’” Young said of the Black anthem.Īlong with the protest, the staying power of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” into broader audiences can also be credited to the biggest entertainers and political figures who have referenced it.īeyoncé performed the song in front of a mostly White audience at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in 2018. ![]() He believes the Black anthem is a more “powerful and patriotic” song than America’s national anthem, which was written by a slave owner who made a painful reference to slavery in its little-known third stanza. Young has known the song’s lyrics since kindergarten and even recited every word during a recent interview. He said the singing of the song at protests shows how “desegregation of America is really the integration of cultures, ideals, energies and spirituality.” “The song is a refreshment and renewal of my faith,” said Young, the civil rights leader and former Atlanta mayor and U.S. The same happened in Los Angeles, Chicago, Baltimore and Minneapolis. Protesters sang the song last month at the historic Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Kennedy was shot in 1963 to march before collectively taking a moment to sing the song. In Dallas, hundreds flocked to the plaza where John F. Protesters are certainly making the song heard. That’s why it’s a great barometer to the cultural shift.” “Very few songs would last through those kinds of changes in Black America. “The fact that this song could survive us going from the back of the bus and the outhouse to the Truman Balcony at the White House, it shows that this song really resonates in our hearts,” he said. Sharpton said the ability of ” Lift Every Voice and Sing ” enduring several generations speaks volumes. The decision came more than a decade before “The Star-Spangled Banner” was adopted as the national anthem of the U.S.ĭuring the civil rights movement, the song was popular during protests with the likes of “We Shall Overcome” and “Amazing Grace.” The latter was written by former slave trader John Newton, but the song helped define racial equality. The NAACP dubbed “Lift Every Voice and Sing” as the Black national anthem in 1919. The song was performed for the first time in 1900, not long after it was written. Growing up, Sharpton said he learned self-identity through the anthem, which was written as a poem by James Weldon Johnson before his brother, J. “You got to see people other than us appreciating our song, our anthem. Al Sharpton, referring to protesters in Minneapolis in the aftermath of Floyd’s death. ![]() “I saw Whites singing that song saying ‘No justice, no peace’ and ‘Black Lives Matter.’ It’s something I didn’t see early in my career or even 15 years ago,” recalled the Rev. The Black national anthem was born more than a century ago, but the popular hymn within the African American community called “Lift Every Voice and Sing” has been resurrected as a beacon of hope for all races during nationwide protests. When Beyonce performed at Coachella in 2018 her high-energy set included the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” known as the Black national anthem. In this June 26, 2016, file photo, Beyonce performs “Freedom” at the BET Awards in Los Angeles. But one common thread at protests were people chanting the anthem’s long-lasting message of faithfulness, freedom and equality. Some marches were peaceful, while others turned violent. were ignited after George Floyd, who died after a Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee into his neck for several minutes. to Seattle with arm-locked protesters of different races reciting the song’s lyrics while marching against police brutality of unarmed Black people. In recent weeks, countless rallies were held from D.C. LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Black national anthem was born more than a century ago, but the popular hymn within the African American community called “Lift Every Voice and Sing” has resurrected a beacon of hope during nationwide protests. By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr., AP Entertainment Writer
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |