woman sings "black national anthem" instead of star spangled banner.

Petty and stupid.
To me things like this just manufacture more ammunition for the haters. While she may think she is striking a blow for something, I think the opposite is true.
HOWEVER, I have a much greater problem what that pig, Roseanne Barr did to the National Anthem some years ago

People probably said a lot of the same stuff that is said here when Rosa Parks decide the front of the bus is a much better option.

Because one time someone decide to sing the "black" anthem over the national anthem, who cares you can hear the national anthem a million times.

Until today I never knew their was a black national anthem. Glad she sang it I learned something new today.

I think it seems disrespectful that one race gets to have their own "National Anthem" honestly. That's real good for unity and race relations. Can anyone sing the words to the "White National Anthem"? I shake my head in this country at how so many people can stand on their bully pulpits and speak out against racial divisions but fail to speak up when individual races seek to highlight and strengthen those same divisions when it suits them.

But why do so many people get annoyed at the ACLU when it tries to get states like Mississippi and Alabama to remove giant tablets of the Ten Commandments from state buildings? It oftentimes seems that those in the majority (e.g., Christians) have no problem when their own heritage is celebrated, but seem to get annoyed when minorities (e.g., agnostics) get uppity.

I suspect she's gotten what she wanted which was some easy publicity.

I wonder which is the worst: Changing the words to the national anthem, forgetting the words to the national anthem, or flagrantly butchering the national anthem a la Roseanne Barr?

True, but it's the same United States of America that later decided slavery was a horrible idea, eventually gave blacks the right to vote, and ended segregation.

She didn't sing the song in 1863. She sung the song in 2008.

I get that the song is rooted in history, and should be appreciated for the two different worlds blacks and whites lived in back then. But it's not like that now. If you want to put out a CD with that on it, go for it. But at a public event? To me it was very self-indulgent and inappropriate.

I'm leaning toward you on this one, Schneed. Personally, that's the first time I've heard of the Black National Anthem and I'm black for crying out loud!

The biggest issue I have with this, however, is one of motive. The motive of the lady singing the song and the motive of the media coverage. For one, had she sang this song during, let's say, the month of February -Black History Month - while it still would have been unacceptable in my view, at least it would have provided a tacit of context for her behavior.

On the other hand, I too question the media's motive for making this a national story. It's not like it was at national event for the world to see. This could have very much remained a local story. So my only reasonable conclusion, and maybe I'm reaching here, is that they both were trying to somehow connect this story with this year's Presidential election.

Now neither the lady nor the media have admitted this, but every chance the media get's to disect polls related to Obama, they segregate and highlight class and race. And we all know how race and gender has been front and center throughout. I wonder if she was intending to signify racial pride on some level by sending this subtle message; that she's proud of this moment.

Also consider Denver will host the DNC convention next month.

True, but it's the same United States of America that later decided slavery was a horrible idea, eventually gave blacks the right to vote, and ended segregation.

She didn't sing the song in 1863. She sung the song in 2008.

I get that the song is rooted in history, and should be appreciated for the two different worlds blacks and whites lived in back then. But it's not like that now. If you want to put out a CD with that on it, go for it. But at a public event? To me it was very self-indulgent and inappropriate.

I agree as indicated in my first post.

I don't have any problem with it. It's a beautiful song. I suppose she didn't keep her word, if she agreed to sing the National Anthem, but whatever. I give her props for her courage.

After reading the lyrics, it is apparent that all races can relate to them -- not only African Americans.

America is defined by so much more than the War of 1812 (for which the Star Spangled Banner was written). I think this song is more reflective of America's struggle and character than the Star Spangled Banner.

1st off America the Beautiful should be our national anthem, in my opinion... but if it is an American tradition to sing our national anthem, and someone sings any other song, it is very unpatriotic. Using a racial stance to hide behind a publicity stunt should be shunned upon by anyone on either side of the debate about the song. Singing both would have been a far more civilized statement, but we wouldn't be discussing it here... She knew that and took advantage of her situation. We're the drubs for buzzing about it now....

But why do so many people get annoyed at the ACLU when it tries to get states like Mississippi and Alabama to remove giant tablets of the Ten Commandments from state buildings? It oftentimes seems that those in the majority (e.g., Christians) have no problem when their own heritage is celebrated, but seem to get annoyed when minorities (e.g., agnostics) get uppity.

Because it is the ACLU. They are the poster child for their reputation preceeding them. Tons of things they advocate and fight for are probably pretty solid issues but it gets lost in the high profile crap they espouse in other situations.

My point is that allowing groups of people to segregate themselves culturally on seeks to maintain divisions in the races when I think it would be better to break down ALL barriers.

MLK said "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. "

Well we judge because we perceive differences and we perceive differences more greatly when they get high-lighted. If we are to ever actually break the barriers of skin color and be truly color blind then we need to try to at least to do that much. We need to try to ignore skin color as much as possible.

I am not saying the history of African Americans isn't of value to us culturally or educationally but I think as time goes on it needs to become less and less prominent and all races need to start looking at ourselves as just Americans. To do otherwise seems to just perpetuate the problems.

And this all ignoring the effect that self segregation has on the small minded who see it as support for their bigotted ideas.

MLK said "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. "

I am not saying the history of African Americans isn't of value to us culturally or educationally but I think as time goes on it needs to become less and less prominent and all races need to start looking at ourselves as just Americans. To do otherwise seems to just perpetuate the problems.



Words to live by