"Lift Every Voice and Sing," known as the "Black National Anthem," has been included in sporting events, drawing both support and criticism.
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The song, written by James Weldon Johnson in 1900, calls for Black liberation and is now performed at various public events.
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It gained popularity after the NFL pledged in 2020 to feature it before every week one game following protests against racial injustice.
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Right-wing critics argue that the song divides Americans by race and undermines the national anthem.
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Figures like Kari Lake, Brigitte Gabriel, Megyn Kelly, and Jenna Ellis have criticized the song's inclusion in events.
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Some critics even call for making the song "illegal."
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Proponents defend the song, emphasizing its message of inspiration, hope, and perseverance.
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Lift Every Voice and Sing" has historical significance, being associated with the NAACP and the Civil Rights movement.
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The NFL's inclusion of the song is part of its efforts to combat racial injustice, initiated in 2020.
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These efforts followed Colin Kaepernick's protest against police brutality, which sparked controversy in 2016.
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