'Why are we now choosing to separate?' Sage Steele says 'black national anthem' promotes segregation



Former ESPN host Sage Steele said that she doesn't like the idea of a "black national anthem," stating that she believes it is a further separation down racial lines in a time when it is surely not needed.

Steele remarked on how she believes it promotes segregation on an episode of her podcast with musician Reggie Watts.

"I don't like this whole 'black national anthem' thing," Steele began. She then laughed when Watts revealed that he had never heard of the song.

"It's newer from the last couple of years and it's at the Super Bowl," Steele explained.

The song, titled "Lift Every Voice and Sing" was performed by singer Andra Day before Super Bowl LVIII in February 2024.

Steele said she believes the whole idea of the United States was people from all walks of life uniting under a common set of ideas.

"Dude, we're one big melting pot," she continued. "This is good. Why are we now choosing to separate again when we've been in a tough time here the past several years, to say, 'This is only our anthem, but y'all better stand up. Get your ass up.'"

"I think we're all Americans and it’s our anthem, and all the immigrants from across the world that have come here stand up for our anthem. They're all Americans," Steele added.

'[BLM] wasn't helpful to me. What's helpful is strong, intelligent voices speaking on notions of compassion.'

The Black National Anthem Promotes Segregation www.youtube.com

Watts said that he felt similarly to groups like Black Lives Matter; he admitted to feeling like there was "a four-month period where that was really cool."

However, Watts said he took issue with the idea of identity groups compelling society to change in a way that suits them, likening it to how a "xenophobic" or "racist" group might want others to forcibly conform to their ideology.

"It wasn't helpful. It wasn't helpful to me. What's helpful is strong, intelligent voices speaking on notions of compassion, talking about science and art; the act of doing," Watts added.

Steele called BLM a farce that was blown up for not following through on what it claimed it was representing.

Steele's mention of segregation could come directly from the origins of the "black national anthem," which the NAACP said "was a hymn written as a poem by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson in 1900."

The song was first performed in public by a choir of 500 children from the racially segregated Stanton School, the group stated.

The racial organization also described the political use of the song during the black civil rights era.

"Set against the religious invocation of God and the promise of freedom, the song was later adopted by NAACP and prominently used as a rallying cry during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s."

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Super Bowl singing of black national anthem sparks backlash, NFL bashed for pushing 'politics of racial division again'



Super Bowl LVIII featured performances of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "America the Beautiful," as well as "Lift Every Voice and Sing" – better known as the black national anthem. However, many online commentators slammed the NFL for featuring a performance of the black national anthem, and said it was "pushing the politics of racial division again."

R&B singer Andra Day performed the black national anthem at Super Bowl 58.

— (@)

As Blaze News previously reported, Day's triple-platinum song titled "Rise Up" became the unofficial anthem of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Day previously said her song being the Black Lives Matter anthem was a "huge honor because Black Lives Matter represents standing up to oppression and persecution. Having the group connect with 'Rise Up' made me more aware that I need to use my platform to serve the community."

She also explained why she connects her music to her activism: "I want to tell the truth about the racial terror that's happened and that's still happening today in this country. Too often we change the narrative to make things more digestible, but the reality is, if we don't address injustice honestly and openly, we'll never heal."

Day performed at the Democratic National Convention in 2016.

Many notable netizens rejected the black national anthem being sung at the Super Bowl, and deemed it to be divisive.

Mike Loychik – a Republican lawmaker in the Ohio House of Representatives – said, "There’s no such thing as a 'black national anthem.' We are all AMERICANS, united by our great and beautiful Star Spangled Banner. The Super Bowl is supposed to bring us together. It’s a disgrace that the NFL decided to push the politics of racial division again."

Talk show host Megyn Kelly stated, "The so-called Black National Anthem does not belong at the Super Bowl. We already have a National Anthem and it includes EVERYONE."

Conservative commentator CJ Pearson declared, "Before tonight’s Super Bowl, as a young black man and proud American, let me make myself clear: There is only ONE national anthem. As there is only ONE United States of America. And it’s for EVERYONE - white, black, yellow, and even maroon. The Left’s agenda of division isn’t just needless; it’s exhausting."

Host Tim Young asked, "Why does the NFL only have the National Anthem and the 'Black National Anthem?' What about anthems for Asians, Hispanic people, Jewish people, Islamic people, every Native American tribe, Pacific Islanders, Inuits, and every other race in America? Why not just play every National anthem ever and start pregame 48 hours earlier? After all, you aren't truly inclusive until you include everyone."

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said he boycotted watching the entire Super Bowl as a protest against the singing of the black national anthem.

Gaetz wrote on the X social media platform that he wouldn't be watching the Super Bowl because the NFL is "desecrating America’s national anthem by playing something called the ‘black national anthem.'"

— (@)

The song "Lift Every Voice and Sing" was originally written in 1900 by James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson as a prayer hymn.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People recognized the song as the "black national anthem" in 1919.

Last year, Emmy-winning actress and singer Sheryl Lee Ralph sang the black national anthem at Super Bowl 57 – which was deemed as divisive by numerous online commentators.

Gospel duo Mary Mary and Youth Orchestra performed "Lift Every Voice and Sing" during Super Bowl LVI in 2022.

A previously recorded version of the black national anthem sung by Alicia Keys was played at Super Bowl LV in 2021.

In 2020, "Lift Every Voice and Sing" was played at every NFL game in the first week of the season.

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'Blacktivist' fighting 'racial terror,' who's affiliated with DNC and BLM, to sing black national anthem at Super Bowl 58



In addition to "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "America the Beautiful," Super Bowl LVIII will include a performance of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" – better known as the black national anthem.

R&B singer Andra Day will perform the black national anthem at Super Bowl 58.

Day wrote on the X social media platform this week: "Peace & Blessings!!! Performing the Anthem at the Super Bowl yall! Grateful! Thank You God."

Day told Entertainment Tonight, "I was so nervous but very, very excited. Grateful. And also, just an honor. It's an honor to be singing the black national anthem."

Day said the black national anthem being performed at the Super Bowl is an "important moment."

Day garnered popularity with her triple-platinum song titled "Rise Up," which was released in 2015.

"Rise Up" became the unofficial anthem of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Day previously told Time magazine, "It's a huge honor because Black Lives Matter represents standing up to oppression and persecution. Having the group connect with 'Rise Up' made me more aware that I need to use my platform to serve the community."

When asked what she hoped to achieve by tying her music to her activism, Day replied, "I want to tell the truth about the racial terror that's happened and that's still happening today in this country. Too often we change the narrative to make things more digestible, but the reality is, if we don't address injustice honestly and openly, we'll never heal."

In 2018, Day performed at the Oscars with rapper Common. During the performance, the musicians "called out the NRA and Donald Trump," according to Vox.

The official Black Lives Matter Twitter account congratulated Day on her performance, and she responded by saying it was an "honor to share the stage" with BLM co-founder and "trained Marxist" Patrisse Khan-Cullors. In the tweet, Day also included the hashtag #StandUp4Blacktivists.

Day also performed at the Democratic National Convention in 2016. That year's DNC featured Trayvon Martin's mother.

The activist/singer said she looks up to Michelle Obama.

The song "Lift Every Voice and Sing" was originally written in 1900 by James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson as a prayer hymn. The song features references to slavery.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People recognized the song as the "black national anthem" in 1919.

Last year, Emmy-winning actress and singer Sheryl Lee Ralph sang the black national anthem at Super Bowl 57 – which was deemed as divisive by numerous online commentators.

Gospel duo Mary Mary and Youth Orchestra performed "Lift Every Voice and Sing" during Super Bowl LVI in 2022.

A previously recorded version of the black national anthem sung by Alicia Keys was played at Super Bowl LV in 2021.

In 2020, "Lift Every Voice and Sing" was played at every NFL game in the first week of the season.

Reba McEntire will perform the national anthem at Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Post Malone will sing "America the Beautiful," and R&B legend Usher will be the feature act at the Super Bowl halftime show.

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Glenn Beck on the Surprising History of 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' at the Super Bowl

Glenn Beck on the Surprising History of 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' at the Super Bowl

'I'm just here for THE National Anthem': Republican stayed seated during black national anthem at Super Bowl



Kari Lake was apparently sitting down at the Super Bowl during the song "Lift Every Voice and Sing," which is commonly called the black national anthem.

"The @NFL played two different 'National Anthems' tonight. Someone just sent me a photo of @KariLake sitting during the first one," Benny Johnson tweeted when sharing a photo of Lake.

"I'm just here for THE National Anthem," Lake replied.

\u201c@bennyjohnson @NFL I\u2019m just here for THE National Anthem\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\u201d
— Benny Johnson (@Benny Johnson) 1676246163

"I'm against a 'black National Anthem' for the same reason I am against a 'white National Anthem,' a 'gay National Anthem,' a 'straight National Anthem,' a 'Jewish National Anthem,' a 'Christian National Anthem,' and so on," Lake noted in a statement, according to Fox News Digital. "We are ONE NATION, under God. Francis Scott Key's words ring true for every single American Citizen regardless of their skin color. James Weldon Johnson's 'Lift Your Voice' is a beautiful song, but it is not our National Anthem."

Lake expressed support for comments posted by Zeek Arkham, who tweeted, "My 'black' National Anthem is the same anthem I've been singing since I was a child. The same one children of all races have been singing. My National Anthem never needed a color. Do they want racism to die, or do they want to keep finding ways to divide us all?"

"I love this," Lake noted when retweeting Arkham.

\u201cI love this.\u201d
— Kari Lake (@Kari Lake) 1676253840

Lake, who lost Arizona's 2022 gubernatorial contest to Democrat Katie Hobbs, is slated to speak at CPAC's Ronald Reagan Dinner next month.

Lake has claimed that she did not lose the governor's race: "I didn't lose. I won. They stole this," she said.

\u201c.@KariLake: \u201cThey thought that being new to politics, they would steal the vote of the people of Arizona in broad daylight, and I would just walk away going it\u2019s too big of a hill to climb, of a mountain to climb.\n\nThey picked a fight with the wrong person. I didn\u2019t lose, I won.\u201d\u201d
— Kari Lake War Room (@Kari Lake War Room) 1673144740

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NFL fans deeply divided over black national anthem being performed at Super Bowl: 'America only has one national anthem'



For the third straight year, the black national anthem was performed at the Super Bowl. NFL fans were deeply divided on whether it was appropriate to perform the black national anthem before Super Bowl 57.

Before the Philadelphia Eagles took on the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Arizona, 10-time Academy of Country Music award-winner Chris Stapleton sang the national anthem. Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds – a 12-time Grammy Award-winning recording artist, songwriter, and producer – sang "America the Beautiful."

Emmy-winning actress and singer Sheryl Lee Ralph sang "Lift Every Voice and Sing," which was designated as the "black national anthem" in 1917 by the NAACP.

\u201c.@thesherylralph performs "Lift Every Voice and Sing" at the #SuperBowl\u201d
— The Hollywood Reporter (@The Hollywood Reporter) 1676244334

Reactions on Twitter show NFL fans were staunchly opposed and vehemently supportive of the black national anthem being performed at Super Bowl LVII.

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.): "America only has ONE NATIONAL ANTHEM. Why is the NFL trying to divide us by playing multiple!? Do football, not wokeness."

TheBlaze contributor Delano Squires: "I grew up singing 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' during assembly in my all-black elementary school. We also sang the Star Spangled Banner and said the pledge. It’s a beautiful hymn, but I feel like it’s being used by people who think we need a new founding (1619), flag, and anthem."

Political pundit CJ Pearson: "The National Anthem is for EVERY American. What’s the purpose of a black one? Super Bowl Sunday should UNITE America, not divide it by race. It’s not the 1960s."

TheBlaze contributor T.J. Moe: "Thank God we played the 'blacknational anthem.' Nothing screams unity like separating everything."

Police officer and podcast host Zeek Arkham: "My 'black' National Anthem is the same anthem I've been singing since I was a child. The same one children of all races have been singing. My National Anthem never needed a color. Do they want racism to die, or do they want to keep finding ways to divide us all?"

Former GOP candidate Lavern Spicer: "The BlackNational Anthem is the Star Spangled Banner. The White National Anthem is the Star Spangled Banner. The Mixed National Anthem is the Star Spangled Banner. If you live in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, your National Anthem is the Star Spangled Banner."

Commentator Matt Walsh: "No other country on Earth is ridiculous enough to permit different racial groups to perform their own national anthems before major events."

Actor Kevin Sorbo: "The @NFL is going to play a black national anthem before the Super Bowl. Seems racist and divisive."

Radio host Gerry Callahan: "The 'Black National Anthem' could be the single best example of corporate cowardice and shameless pandering in American history. You have one national anthem or no national anthem. Roger Goodell is pathetic."

Students for Trump founder Ryan Fournier: "There is no Blacknational anthem. There is no White national anthem. There is no Hispanic national anthem. There is only THE National Anthem. God Bless America!"

Former GOP candidate James Bradley: "Having a black national anthem is just another way that Democrats keep us divided."

Political commentator Jack Posobiec: "The only thing that can unite America forever is creating separate national anthems for each different ethnic groups. I demand each one be played before every game Especially the Super Bowl."

There were people who supported the black national anthem being played at the Super Bowl.

Republican strategist Paris Dennard: "'Lift Every Voice and Sing' was a poem written by Republican, James Weldon Johnson in 1900. His brother put it to music and it was first performed by children at Johnson’s segregated FL elementary school to celebrate Pres. Abraham Lincoln’s birthday – which is today."

Forbes writer Exavier Pope: "It’s informally called the Black National Anthem, but that’s not the name of the song & when the song is referenced by Black people, we use the formal title of the song. Also, to refuse the song is to dismiss its origin, history, it’s lineage, & all the reasons it STILL matters."

Journalist Skylar Baker-Jordan: "'Lift Every Voice and Sing' has been called the Black national anthem for longer than 'The Star-Spangled Banner' has been the U.S. national anthem. This tweet is for all the conservatives currently or about to lose their s**t over a song praising God and freedom."

Public education activist Mitchell Robinson: "Please add 'Black national anthem' to pronouns, books, schools, LGBTQ folks, and the other harmless things that frighten conservatives."

Screenwriter Matt Mikalatos: "What's especially baffling to me is Christians complaining about a hymn playing before the Super Bowl. Maybe they should reflect on the lyrics."

\u201c"Lift Every Voice and Sing" (the "Black National Anthem") has been playing before *every* NFL game this season. \n\nWhat's especially baffling to me is Christians complaining about a hymn playing before the Super Bowl. Maybe they should reflect on the lyrics.\u201d
— Matt Mikalatos (@Matt Mikalatos) 1676219693

A previously recorded version of the black national anthem sung by Alicia Keys was played at Super Bowl LV in 2021. Gospel duo Mary Mary and Youth Orchestra performed "Lift Every Voice and Sing" during Super Bowl LVI in 2022.

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Is This the Issue That Finally Causes Bill Maher to Break with the Left? | DM CLIPS | Rubin Report

Is This the Issue That Finally Causes Bill Maher to Break with the Left? | DM CLIPS | Rubin Report

Republican Voters Reporting Strange Poll Problems During Recall Vote | Direct Message | Rubin Report

Republican Voters Reporting Strange Poll Problems During Recall Vote | Direct Message | Rubin Report

Bill Maher says 'the left' is embarrassing him, blasts NFL over black national anthem



This is the 19th season of "Real Time with Bill Maher," and people have noticed this season that the liberal pundit Bill Maher has made headlines for exposing leftist ideologies for being shallow or actually anti-progressive. While he still trashes Republicans every chance he gets on his political talk show, Maher has become incensed by the leftist mindset of always striving to be woke.

Last month, Maher went after Democrats for their "bad faith" attacks on House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) for his joke about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Previously, he slammed leftists for Soviet-like cancel culture and trying to make the Olympics "woke." The host also criticized Lin Manuel Miranda for bending the knee to the outrage mob. Maher turned against progressives and said he was against free college. In May, he trounced liberals for sucking the fun out of everything. In April, Maher berated millennials and Gen-Z for their "stupid" left-wing ideas. He attacked the liberal media for peddling COVID-19 porn to their audience, and even complimented Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over his coronavirus policies. Maher skewered "brats" in media for Stalin-esque cancel culture tactics.

In the latest episode, Maher addressed his recent disdain for leftist wokescolds.

"To me, when people say to me sometimes like, 'Boy, you know, you go after the left a lot these days. Why?' Because you're embarrassing me! That's why I'm going after the left — in a way you never did before," Maher proclaimed.

"Because you're inverting things that I — I'm not going to give up on being liberal," Maher said, adding a veiled criticism of critical race theory, "This is what these teachers are talking about. That you're taking children and making them hyper-aware of race in a way they wouldn't otherwise be."

Maher brought up how the "black national anthem," formally known as "Lift Every Voice and Sing," was played before the opening game of the NFL 2021 season between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys.

"I think when you go down a road where you're having two different national anthems, [and where] colleges … many of them have different graduation ceremonies for black and white, separate dorms — this is what I mean. Segregation," Maher said. "You've inverted the idea. We're going back to that under a different name."

“When people say to me sometimes, ‘boy, you go after the Left a lot these days, why?’ I’m like ‘Because you’re emba… https://t.co/BjfuePD2y5

— Brent Baker (@BrentHBaker) 1631330832.0

Be Aware Of Performative Wokeness

What do you think the NFL cares more about? Pre-game music? Or non-guaranteed contracts for its majority-black workforce?