Well, here’s a head-scratcher for you. U.S. Rep Matt Gaetz of Florida recently declared that he would pass on watching Super Bowl LVIII because of the singing of the Black National Anthem. Can you believe it? According to social media posts by Gaetz, he had a chat with his wife about it, claiming that the Super Bowl would be “desecrating America’s National Anthem by playing something called the ‘Black National Anthem.’”
“Why are we desecrating the national anthem if we play another song after it?” asked Cenk Uygur of The Young Turks. “How does that make sense?”
In 2020, the NFL began hosting performances of the song in response to the uproar over racial injustice following George Floyd’s murder. What’s called the Black National Anthem is actually a song named “Lift Every Voice and Sing” — it’s been included in the Super Bowl pregame ceremonies for four years now. James Weldon Johnson wrote the song’s lyrics back in 1900, and it got the official nod from the NAACP as the Black National Anthem in 1919. (As an aside, I thought Andra Day did an amazing job on the song. She’s a great talent and also a Christian and a believer that we can all be united.)
But this year’s Super Bowl is not the first time this issue has been in the news. In 2023, after cataloging the number of sporting events that had featured the Black National Anthem, Forbes reported on those who were upset by the song’s inclusion. At that time, in addition to Arizona Republican Kari Lake sounding off about the song, U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) was upset and accused the NFL of being divisive.
Every issue has two sides, but Gaetz boycotting the Super Bowl over this? Perhaps Uygur is right that Gaetz wasn’t planning to watch the game to begin with because he isn’t really a football fan. Gaetz seemingly used the opportunity to jab the NFL for having the song performed. But the Black National Anthem isn’t just any song; it symbolizes the struggles faced by the Black community. It was adopted by the NAACP and echoed through the civil rights movement. The NFL isn’t just doing this for show — they’ve put down $250 million over the past decade to tackle systemic racism and historic injustices.
Black History Month is upon us — it’s a time to honor the achievements and contributions of African Americans. Singing the Black National Anthem during the Super Bowl aligns with acknowledging and rectifying historical injustices, promoting inclusivity and highlighting a shared history. It is not some kind of malicious tactic to divide us. Quite the opposite, in fact. It’s there as a reminder that we have all come this far together — and that together, we can continue to grow.
Obviously, “The Star-Spangled Banner” does indeed represent all of us. We are all here, all free, because we all fight together. But that does not mean an anthem specifically for Black Americans should not be performed in honor of them, their ancestors and their history.
The Black National Anthem isn’t about stirring up trouble; it’s a call for unity, understanding and progress. It’s a symbol of the ongoing battle against racial inequality. In the grand scheme of things, this isn’t about political ideology; it’s about acknowledging, understanding and moving forward toward equality.
As we navigate Black History Month, let’s celebrate the diversity that fortifies our nation. Embracing the Black National Anthem — no matter how often it’s performed at an event — is a step toward a more inclusive America. This is our chance to reaffirm our commitment to equality for all.
Bill Freeman
Bill Freeman is the owner of FW Publishing, the publishing company that produces the Nashville Scene, Nfocus, the Nashville Post and The News.
