Demi Lovato sang the National Anthem ahead of the Super Bowl. The artists selected for this gig have a different set of criteria than the ones selected for the Halftime show, have you noticed that? They’ll hire people not known for the strength of their voices for the Halftime show, but the NFL hires people (usually women) who can really SING for the National Anthem. I get that. It would disrespectful to a difficult-to-sing song to hire someone who is just going to phone it in. And Demi IS known for having a strong voice. So… how did she do?
I think she did great! A touch nervous at the start, but she warmed up quickly and hit all the notes. Unfortunately, the singing of anthem is not just about the song these days – of course there were cutaway to all of the football players, and it appeared as if all of them stood for the anthem, and some even sang along. No protests, no kneeling… from the football players. Beyonce and Jay-Z were in attendance at the Super Bowl though, and they didn’t stand for the anthem:
Beyonce, Jay-Z & Blue Ivy Sit Down During Super Bowl National Anthem https://t.co/COcUGuTgdD
— TMZ (@TMZ) February 3, 2020
Here’s a tweet from a MAGA dude slamming Beyonce & Jay-Z for being “unpatriotic scum.”
WATCH: While thousands of proud Americans stood in-allegiance for the National Anthem, Jay-Z and Beyonce sat in silence.
America has no place for unpatriotic scum like these two.
Kick them and Colin Kaepernick right down to Mexico!#fixit pic.twitter.com/4JlEAKhd4i
— Andrew Pollack (@AndrewPollackFL) February 3, 2020
If you remember, Jay-Z signed a deal with the NFL last year– he will become part-owner of an NFL team, he will help select Halftime performers (and possibly help produce the Halftime show), and the NFL agreed to put money and time into the Inspire Change initiative, which is supposed to be the NFL’s way of handling player protests and at least giving mouth service to the idea of racial justice. Jay was widely criticized for selling out the African-American community for the deal. And then… he turns up at the Super Bowl and he and Beyonce don’t stand for the anthem? I mean, as an American, I don’t give a crap if Bey and Jay sit or kneel or stand. It truly does not matter, and I’ve always found this conversation to be so racialized, and involving a crazy amount of dog-whistles and respectability-politics. So… I have no opinion here. I’m going to sit back and listen.
Photos courtesy of Getty and Avalon Red.
I think Demi did great! As for Beyoncè and Jay Z….so over them.
she did do great – super clear voice, no unnecessary vocal flourishes (hate that), she knocked it out.
I wish the musical accompaniment had been much more restrained. It was competing with her vocals, and I did not like that.
I am really bothered by tweets & comments criticizing what they (Bey/J) & others do to protest systemic racism.
People don’t fn get that the 1A is for **everyone,** not just white RWNJs.
/fin
This.
She did fantastic! Looked a hot mess with that tan, hair, and 4 tons of makeup (I find her natural face very beautiful) But her voice was great.
Yeah her foundation is completely wrong
The people around them weren’t standing either. Wider shots show that many in the section in front of them didn’t stand. I wonder if they actually did the “please rise” bit before Demi started to sing.
At this point though, who doesn’t understand that the expectation is that people will rise? Does anyone need to be told that?
I attend several dozen sporting events a year. With all the other promotions, announcements, and commotion going on as people are arriving, getting their food & beverages, and finding their seats, yes, it does need to be announced to distinguish it from everything else that is happening.
Not everyone is patriotic, and I’ve got no problem with that. As long as they were respectfully quiet, who cares?
At this point, who doesn’t understand that this country has been built on the pervasive systemic oppression of Black and Brown people? You have no right to expect anything about how those people choose to listen to the anthem. Who still needs to be told *that*?
I’ve never stood for the national anthem in my entire life. Never once sang it. Dont know the words. Ain’t freedom GRAND?
That’s what I’m saying. You can clearly see a white woman in front of them not standing, and it looks like the white dude behind them wasn’t standing either.
Thank You!!!!! Sooooo many people around them (white people and people of color) aren’t standing. And yet people focus on them and make it a racial thing. They’re “protesting”. They may well have been (and have every right to do so) but I don’t think it was that. I don’t know why they didn’t stand, but if you watch the video it looks (to me) like Bey is singing along. If it was a protest, I don’t think she would have been singing along.
And the people filming the Carters with their phones weren’t exactly following patriotic protocol, either.
Both Jay-Z and Beyonce are far too conscious of their own image to not have stand because they didn’t know they had to. They must have been aware people would be looking at them, so if they didn’t stand up, there’s a statement there.
In my country, we’re taught from childhood to stand (if you can) at attention and be silent while our national anthem is sung. In other words, it’s mandatory that you do these things during the anthem. Is it this way in the US? I see people walking, sitting, swaying, some with hands at their hearts and some with hands doing other things.
same
Depends on how you define “mandatory”.
In your country what happens if someone does not stand? Are they arrested? Fined?
Some say yes, others do whatever like you mentioned. It wasn’t as big of a deal until Colin Kaepernick knelt to protest black people being killed by cops. Then all the “patriots” decided that was so disrespectful to veterans. In my opinion, that’s not the real issue. I believe they think the black players are being unappreciative of the career/money we (us whites) gave them. They think black players should be grateful we (us whites) allowed them to get what they have.
@Nicole r: There isn’t a law but folks will call you out right there and then. But no arrests or fines just sort of publicly shamed.
From The Office of the Prime Minister: “When the Anthem is being played, all persons should pay respect to it by standing to attention. Men in civilian dress should remove their headdress. …. There is no law that says you must stand for the National Anthem, it is simply protocol.”
Some people talk over it too. There’s expectation and there’s reality.
Demi did a good job!
It looks like the two people just past them didn’t stand either, but I guess the Maga types aren’t going to be upset at them?
I was actually super impressed with Demi. I had forgotten that she was as talented as she is. But she keeps growing on me. I really hope she keeps up a positive momentum in her life, and that she has better people surrounding her now.
And yeah – 100%. They won’t call out the other people, because they aren’t pre-conditioned to hate them in the way they’re pre-conditioned to hate well known wealthy but liberal minded people who stand for something. Hating ‘regular’ folks doesn’t get them enough attention.
I believe that Americans have the right to protest our Country’s policies in many ways. One of them is to protest the Anthem. Americans can be pro America and still disagree with its policies and president. Our patriotism is based on our love and respect for our Country, not a construct that says we must stand for the Anthem.
That’s beautifully put Carol. It’s silent protest … by it’s very nature it is respectable.
The problem is the hypocrisy of protesting something you profit from, not the protest itself. I’m tired of the passes these two get. They’re only allegiance is to the almighty $.
Who cares if anyone around them sat in protest. They aren’t making money off the NFL.
They’re not protesting the NFL they’re making a silent statement against the US. Probably the most American thing one can do is to protest for your rights while also liking money.
Agree Lua. Tbese two mega rich self indulgent creeps arent representative of the revolution. Their greedy commercialism and corporate boot licking is a large part of what’s wrong with the US.
Love this comment!
I’m sure everyone whining about this got up out of their seats and stood for the anthem while watching from home.
v v good point. I was timing her rendition as we bet ‘length of Anthem’ as one of our party bets. We had times ranging from 2:04-3:06. She sang the song wonderfully in a quick 1:49:84. (According to my iPhone stopwatch)
I stand at home when the Canadian anthem comes on. I used to stand at home when “God Save the Queen” was playing….but no longer. I protest as I no longer consider her my “gracious” Queen. In fact, last time I heard it (Remembrance Day) I choked right up and couldn’t sing at all. Sadness and anger and frustration had me mute.
“Should” they have stood? Well, they could have, maybe would have, possibly should have….but didn’t. Do I care? Not about them. Do I care that I found myself mute singing for the queen of my country? Yes, it bugged the hell out of me – but I can no longer support her and her family’s colonialism and “colour-ism”.
@shirleygailgal I’m so sorry. It must really be hard. I have a tremendously difficult time dealing with the horrible misogynistic bigoted racist ignorant who currently occupies the WH. But he will eventually leave & The Queen & her family seem destined to be around for a bit. My sincerest sympathy for you. & how you must feel.
Chiefs fan here – we were listening to the anthem to see if the KC crowd was going to do their thing at the end of the song, and yup, they did.
It always amazes me that these MAGA guys get so mad at quiet, respectful, meaningful demonstrations like taking a knee, but drunkenly stomp all over the last word of the song bellowing “CHIEFS!!!”. The hypocrisy is stunning.
I completely agree with you. I found the bellowing to be disrespectful towards everybody else because it’s so intrusive, to those who want to listen to the anthem, to the singer, to the fans of the opposing team and to just plain everyone who wanted to watch the show.
Thank you for explaining that! I was wondering what that was but I was the only one in our house who caught it.
It’s their right. Black and brown people are still being unlawfully detained and killed in an America where hate crimes are on the rise and white supremacists do whatever they want.
If Bey and Jay don’t want to stand, they don’t have to stand.
Feels like…. we are going to invest in this problematic business because of prestige and it will make us millions…. but let’s show we are still with the people by not standing…
Very empty gesture
Spot on.
Ding ding ding!
& Melody Calder for the win.
Perfectly said they will make millions off of this country but I am still one of you in the projects. Uh huh
This comment is sus. Projects?
@bcowell TRIED IT ….this comment WAS NOT IT
Not all brown and black people live in the projects you fool. But you know that already.
Yeah, this is my take also. Jay and Bey follow the money. This was absolutely an empty gesture.
Basically Jay-Z and Beyonce are trying to adopt a corporate friendly version of Colin’s protest in order to get a minuscule ownership stake of a nfl team. That’s my take!
Exactly!!! Until Colin isn’t being erased by the NFL (and let’s not kid ourselves, the 49ers could have had a better shot with him) I am not ok with them. They did sooo wrong by him, and so has Jay Z who is trying to profit off a watered down version of Colin’s movement. I Stan Colin.
Black folks have done this for years. This isn’t new. It’s stunned and angered people for years who notice the sitting but willfully ignore the reason. No one has cared about it as much until Colin Kaepernick, but a lot of Black people don’t stand up for the National Anthem. People seem to notice now. I thought that it was for lyrics that were in the original version that aren’t commonly sung today.
I’m 58 and never stood for the National anthem nor pledge allegiance to the flag at school. My grandfather fought in WW2. He and his friends never got over how the nazi captive soldiers were treated compared to them.
I think Jay Z sold out Colin, so sitting is kinda ineffectual as any kind of protest.
To be honest, as a foreigner, I find the whole obsession with standing for the anthem with hand on heart and all the accusations that surround anyone that doesn’t a bit weird and obsessive anyway.
We had an American friend who did high school in our country and we used to get her drunk, stand her on a table, and get her to do the pledge of allegiance. We all found it hilarious and kinda creepy – that kids are brainwashed every day with that. It doesn’t seem to be effective anyway – the country is incredibly divided.
I think the US has always been very strong on symbolism; but needs to assess how important a lot of that symbolism actually is to a free society. It’s easier to ostracise people if they don’t follow the rules of that symbolism. And that’s kind of scary.
You think getting a young girl drunk and mocking her is being a friend?
🙄 we were teenagers. We were all drunk. Off about half a drink each. We didn’t mock her, she took part and laughed. We were all agog at the way it had been hammered into her head as that is totally alien where I am from. Having small children stand up every day, hands on hearts, and pledge allegiance to the country is intense. To us it seemed like brainwashing. After living in our country, she soon saw it with completely different eyes. So it became somewhat of a ritual for her to get lifted up onto a table and do it. We all laughed, including her, and she was a superstar with a party trick. She at no time felt uncomfortable, scorned or mocked. We were all having fun and she was a well-loved and cared for friend at all times. Yeesh.
Seems like the point was that she could recite it perfectly even while drunk. Because of being made to do it so many times. It is like brainwashing.
I’ve always (since childhood) thought it was bizarre that we were supposed to pledge allegiance to *the flag*.
@skf, I agree with your whole post. As an American born citizen, it’s just getting to be way over the top and used a weapon. Example: Colin Kaepernick.
Anyone has a right to respectfully protest, I’m glad someone as powerful as Beyonce choose to sit. And if we are going to talk race can we mention the horrifying racism on display from the Chiefs fans? Natives are not costumes.
Thank YOU, so gross
It’s a freaking SONG. You are not a better or worse person if you sit, stand or lie down for it. If you care for your people and your country, be a good person, vote for decent politicians and try to make a difference. I am pretty sure those most vocal about people not standing for the anthem fail at all those points.
Those critics are mostly hypocrites. If they cared about the things the anthem stands for, as you say, they would live that belief everyday. They’d care that our political institutions are being undermined, they’d care that all US citizens are not treated equally due to the color of their skin or place of residence (hello, Puerto Rico). They don’t, they care about superficial actions that don’t require them to actually put in any work and I, for one, am totally over it.
When I first glanced at Demi I thought it was Jennifer Hudson. It took me a second to figure out it wasn’t but took me 2 minutes to figure out it was Demi.
JayZ and Beyoncé are canceled for me. I’m not very patient these days with fakeazz money grubbers. I’ve even wondered if they’re MAGAts bc of tax cuts. Money seems to rule in their house. Also them pimping out their very young daughter so much, a clothing line?
What on earth are you talking about?
Demi’s changed appearance being confusing at first and the money worshipping JayZ and wife.
Doing whatever you want during the anthem is your right as an American. It’s not your right, however, to do the racist tomahawk chop cheer.
Actually, they do have the right to do the cheer. That’s the thing with freedom of expression; it means we have to peacefully tolerate the existence of those who express in ways we find odious alongside enjoying the freedom to express ourselves as we wish.
It’s a mixed bag, but the alternative has universally led to repression and violence. I’ll take ignorant displays we have the opportunity to educate against and speak out about over using the violent force of government any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
People ARE becoming more educated about what the aboriginal tribes of this land think of these displays and how they feel about them and want them to change. The U.S. has used native imagery in these disrespectful ways so often for so long that it has become ubiquitous and many are ignorant and/or resistant of the reasons it should change. Society moves; it just doesn’t move fast enough for some of us.
But yes. They have the right to do the cheer. They’re not right to do it, but they have the right to do it.
I disagree. I think it was disrespectful of them not to stand. Period.
Why?
Why is that ? Disrespectful to who? You?
Jules, I’m with you. It’s disrespectful of anyone not to stand. Personally I think the entitled Beyonce Jay Z were too lazy to stand. They prefer people stand for THEM. They’ve profited nicely in this country and are disrespectful.
Every time I hear the anthem, I stand and get a surge of pride and gratitude. Yes, we have problems in this country and yes, we have terrible leadership. But the privileges we have just by living here are greater than many can even realize. Please don’t start saying that not everyone in this country is afforded equal privilege. We don’t. I get it. But we have more than the majority of the world. We should be grateful for that and for living in a society that CAN protest and work toward something better.
I was recently in a very bad car accident where my car flipped over. I’m lucky to be alive and believe me every day when I open my eyes, the first words out of my mouth are the Jewish prayer thanking God for another day of life. And I am grateful for living that life in this country. And yes I will express that gratitude by always standing for the anthem. In addition, too many American soldiers have died in the name of this country (regardless of whether or not you believe in the reasons), and it would be an insult to their memories not to do so.
Americans have fought and died for our freedom to express our beliefs, not to compel us to participate in displays of patriotism.
I’m glad you’re proud. That’s your right. Others are not, and that is their right.
Plenty of living veterans who’ve seen their benefits slashed right and left by the same government who destroyed their mental and physical health in profit driven oil wars. Coming from a family with several years of military service down the line, who got to watch a couple of them destroy their lives from PTSD-driven alcoholism, it would be great if y’all would stop treating them like a monolith whose suffering should be used as a battering ram to silence criticism of America. Standing for an anthem ain’t replacing their lost limbs, paying for their physical therapy, fixing their mental health issues, or saving them from homelessness and poverty.
My husband is active duty. We’ve been in for nearly 20 years, and we’ve been all over the world in the course of his military career. Both of us started at a place of “that’s disrespectful” when we entered this life together. As true patriots who value the things about the U.S. that are unique and worthy of valuing, we have learned over the years that our freedom to protest openly and bluntly, by any peaceful method we choose, is a TREASURE.
I celebrate the kneeling protest, and I don’t care what celebrities do with their protests as long as they’re not hurting people. Hurt feelings do not equal injury. Sure, it hurts my feelings when people openly protest by using the flag or the Anthem, but my feelings aren’t the point. The statement they’re making and the freedom they have to make it: that’s the point. And it’s beautiful.
So, it’s not disrespectful in my view (and respect must be earned in the first place). I respect the flag and Anthem because of what they mean to me–what has been done for me by the nation these things symbolize. Their protests aren’t disrespectful to me or to what those symbols mean to me. Their protests are against what the symbols mean TO THEM. It ain’t about you, and it ain’t about me. It’s about the people making the protest and what it means to them.
Sitting/kneeling/whatever during the Anthem is an expression that I find personally uncomfortable. Out of my discomfort comes understanding that other people look at something I have a profound connection to very differently than I do. That’s not a bad thing. That’s America. And again…it’s beautiful.
@Marigold,Thankyou for your beautiful and respectful and honest,gracious way of explaining…I agree with you very much.
I am happy to express my gratitude to your husband (and you)for dedicating so much of your lives to our country and for speaking about what matters to you and expressing so eloquently why you can and do value how others may handle themselves during our anthem.
Yes, RUDE!
Good for them. It’s not disrespectful. Nobody is entitled to see everyone stand for this country’s anthem. TBH, I don’t feel much love for it myself these days.
I used to stand for the anthem. Idk if I would now. As a veteran, i would prefer that we acknowledge black people are killed by cops all the time. Instead of deflecting by saying it’s unpatriotic and disrespectful to veterans, just say how you really feel. That you don’t give a damn another black person was killed. But you know you can’t say that so you make up some b.s., you know similar to white lives matter. I mean “you” in a general sense. And maybe it works on some people. I mean, how many times do ya’ll need to thank me ? Let’s focus on current important events. Instead of worshipping a piece of fabric and a song. Put people first
I don’t care they Beyoncé and jay-z sat. I care that they’re taking $$$$$$$$$ from the NFL whip simultaneously being POS hypocrites about it.
That’s their brand though, doing anything for the dollar while preaching to others about how to act.
Yes and yes ^^^^
Totally!!
The US currently has way bigger problems than whether or not Jay Z and Beyonce stood for the anthem at the Super Bowl. The travesty of the impeachment trial should be causing mass protests in all the cities. How can you have a trial without witnesses? The current abomination in the WH is dismantling democracy every day and the US is quickly becoming a kleptocracy and authoritarian state.
And the yay America pre game with all the military stuff being coopted for a football game was disturbing as hell. A football game isn’t military service.
Amen to all of this.
Yes yes yes! The pandering to the military was gross, all done for the benefit of the MAGAts watching at home. And this is coming from someone that has family members that have served. NFL, if you’d really like to thank those that have served there are plenty of homeless and disabled veterans that could use your financial assistance. Your cheesy TV spots don’t do anything for those needing housing, medical care and mental health care.
Thank you. Military families all over the nation cringe when we see this stuff. It’s nice to have a nod or a seat at the cultural table, but it’s gotten so…idolatrous and beyond the pale. That isn’t patriotism. That isn’t even nationalism. I don’t know what it is, but it’s ridiculous.
It’s like statism porn (am I allowed to say that?). That’s what it feels like. And as a military family, we don’t like it. At all.
Didn’t we already establish at the Golden Globes was it? That Beyonce doesn’t stand for anyone or anything lol.
Beyoncé wouldn’t stand for mother Theresa. All she cares about is me, myself and I.
Well, Mother Theresa was a terrible person so what’s your point?
Agree Regina ,Beyoncé will sit/stand at the time she feels like doing so…
I don’t know if she sees anyone beyond herself.
I also don’t care if she sits stands or does a cartwheel,I just get the idea that she is so self important she wouldn’t show respect to much of anyone anymore because she acts like there is none worthy of her…
I’m a firm supporter of those players who choose to kneel. That said, if you aren’t actively in the midst of a political act and, say, just being lazy and/or uninformed, I will absolutely judge you for sitting during the national anthem. I have no idea why Beyoncé and Jay-Z didn’t stand. If they were in a large group who were all sitting, I’m wondering if they just forgot. If so, that’s not cool. But it’s also not the end of the world and it would be a shame if Demi’s performance were overshadowed by this fake controversy.
I don’t stand for the National Anthem, nor put my hand over my heart. But I also didn’t watch the Super Bowl, which I haven’t done in a few years because of Colin. That’s my choice. And I have no issue with anyone else doing the same. The majority of the MAGAts were sitting on their couches at home eating wings and beer and also did not stand, but are throwing a fit on Twitter over J and Bey. They’re pissed because “how dare these black ppl not stand!” Please note how many of them haven’t even commented on the white ppl in that section not standing as well. Hypocrisy and racism ALL around!
I think everyone has the right to do as they please but if you’re going to own part of an NFL team…you should stand for the anthem. That’s like, one of the biggest things in the NFL. I don’t care for Jay Z or Beyonce, never have. I think that while yes, Beyonce is extremely talented, she gives off such an over entitled aura (as of the last maybe 8ish years) which I don’t really ever remember her having before.
I don’t think she has an entitled aura.
I think it is rude not to stand but how fortunate are all Americans who have that choice. If someone doesn’t stand that is their right. What I would love to see however is a statement if you are famous. ‘ I chose to sit today for the national anthem because…… however I love my country and realize that I am able to have this right because of where I live. I also acknowledge that I am the living embodiment of the American dream and would never have accomplished what I have anywhere else in the world. God Bless America”
Why do people have to love their country? Why is everyone so obsessed with nationalism or patriotism? It’s literally just a place you were born. You have no control over that.
A-MEN.
I watch what’s happening on both sides of the Atlantic in terms of racism and civil liberties and my heart breaks at the naïveté of ‘Home of the Brave’ and ‘Rule Britannia’ and the horrible people who have slithered into the light. Better to build a country everyone can be proud of than wave your flag in the darkness
Omg, thank you! I’m an American, I like it here. But I’m not gonna be all ooh the flag, the anthem! It’s weird. I’m also a veteran btw. But the blind worship of the flag and anthem is used to shame people whom conservatives don’t feel are behaving appropriately.
If you want people to provide their detailed reasonings and professions of love for country then they may as well just stand. You’re just asking for the same patriotism in a different form. And what many here are saying is that plenty of people are NOT patriotic (for both serious and merely disengaged reasons) and this isn’t North Korea. Nothing compels them to be patriotic or love this country.
And before the next line comes of well then they can leave, I’d argue Bey and Jay don’t leave because they have manipulated the oppressive American system to work for them. In some ways that’s why they are iconic to communities continuously held down by systemic racism and institutional violence. But they’re self and image aware enough to know every move at their profile makes a statement.
Lol to everyone who thinks Jay and Bey owe an explanation.
I gotta go, these dog whistles are piercing.
I think it is fine to sit/kneel in protest. But I think the way Jay Z handled the situation when he signed the deal and didn’t give Colin a heads up and basically was saying the NFL would change shows how hypocritical he is.
I don’t get all the fuss about whether or not someone stands for the anthem. Too many people care way too much about what other people are doing.
I don’t think Jay or Beyonce are very sincere, but that’s just my opinion. Jay Z hopping into bed with the NFL showed where his loyalties lie; with money. I do not believe he can or will evoke change in the system.
Beyoncè and Jay Z sitting is incredibly low-stakes for them. They risk nothing by doing nothing, but will tell you that they did everything. “Look, we’re sitting in seats you could never afford in a million years, doing nothing” is so much different than “Join me on the steps of City Hall in the rain/snow/heat to protest inequality”. One involves sacrifice and time. The other gets the celebrity publicity and requires no real sacrifice.
I very much support everyone’s right to protest, but at a sporting event, it becomes a performance meant to enhance the celebrity, not a protest meant to help the cause.
How many white people sat?
Typical redneck hick behaviour, to only notice the actions of the people of colour, jump to conclusions and suspect ‘ill intent’. Because they can really never get over the fact that talented non-whites can occupy their universe and, in Beyonce’s case, own it
LOL, the whole “needing to stand” is ridiculous, anyhow. What the hell does a sports event have to do with American patriotism? It’s a corporate venture, a massively successful one that abuses non-profit tax loops, that has literally no political or legislative impact. I’d love to know how many people wailing about standing for the anthem have bothered to vote a day in their life.
This right here. The word patriotism has been co-opted by hard right tea party types. To them patriotism is a performance, not actually respecting the rights of fellow citizens to express themselves how they see fit. They were respectful during the anthem so get over it and register to vote and look up the Bill of Rights. I can’t with these types, who turn this stuff into a compulsory state religion.
Mexico??! WTF? It’s just MAGA word salad at this point. “Build the emails wall! Covfefe! Tremendous fake news stable genius.”
It is Black History Month. Now would be a good time as any for them to sit during the national anthem. People love to get offended because of who it is, but I wonder if they are nearly offended by how black Americans are erased from the narrative of ‘freedoms fought for’?
Black Americans fought in the revolutionary war, civil war (many black Americans were murdered by mobs of freshly arrived immigrants who did not want to fight for no n words), both WWs in segregated armies. In WWII black soldiers were treated worse in their own homeland (denied entry into many places) while German POWs were not (someone above thread mentioned this and of course crickets).
And Black nurses during the war were also treated like shit. They wanted to help their country but were given low tier tasks because their help was ‘unwanted’ and suspicious. And then to insult them further would not allow them any roles near white American soldiers for ‘fear of fraternizing’. But guess who black nurses could look after? German POWs who were all at the time labeled Nazis. Lovely that given the Nazi ideology. But where is the outrage for that?
Black Americans have actually given super human patriotism for a country that shows hatred at every term. But it is like the general public thinks they should be always be held to a higher standard. That they must be perfect in all action and thought to have humanity and benefit of doubt others are given.
Don’t even get me started on the GI Bill and how it was promised to all returning soldiers but once black soldiers try benefit from it the government pulled its usual. But yes, black people should just continue to show love always and if they don’t stand they are garbage.
Yes Jay is doing some unpopular things but joining the NFL but I am going to sit and wait and see what he has to bring before dragging him for filth. I can see the smugness from some about ‘his plot to get shares in an NFL team’. There are always undertones to these comments and criticisms. They are just contemptuous that he and Beyonce don’t know their place and are always trying to ‘be something’. The selective outrage over patriotism is very transparent to me.
Mia yes! All of that. How does any all White male organization get diverse? Some diversity has to be added. Jay Z got in and may have an opportunity to influence some change, some more diversity, some progress AND make some $$ doing it and instantly he’s a sellout.
The 3rd stanza of the song that isn’t talked about is racist as hell. So I’m not bothered by any one not standing for it. For cripes sake, he’s not in cahoots with some foreign country or forsaking the constitution. It’s a silent protest that’s as American as singing a racist song or saluting a piece of cloth.
There are far more urgent issues that need to be addressed.
Amen, Mia.
Please say it louder for the people in the back.
Mia! Here’s a virtual standing ovation. 👏👏👏
i’ve been not standing for the anthem for over 20 years now. I’m just not into the pro-military mindless patriotism.
I rarely stand, even before it was popular not to stand. Half the people around me didnt. Lazy, talking, on the phone, doing other things, who knows. Nobody policed people standing until Collin knelt… jeez get over it. You can love your country and not stand for a song.
Demi did a great job. Really showed off her voice beautifully. Loved seeing another Latina on the field in Miami.
I’m sure Bey and Jay are trying to make a positive difference. I personally would boycott but I can respect they want to effect change from within.
It so hurts that no one kneeled. Intimidation I guess.
Just a week ago, Beyonce sat while everyone else gave a standing ovation for joaquin. Chick just prefers to sit I guess 🙄
I’m not a fan of shouty singers like Demi but I am glad she seems better.
I think Demi did a nice job. I too appreciated the general lack of vocal flourishes & just hitting all the notes & singing with passion. I always feel, when singers go crazy with the flourishes and riffs on a traditional/ well-loved or classic song like the anthem, they’re making it more about themselves than what they’re singing, and it’s distracting and annoying.
I thought she looked beautiful, too.