About the Black National Anthem
Lift Every Voice and Sing – often called “The Black National Anthem” – was written as a poem by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938) and then set to music by his brother John Rosamond Johnson (1873-1954) in 1899. It was first performed in public in the Johnsons’ hometown of Jacksonville, Florida as part of a celebration of Lincoln’s Birthday on February 12, 1900 by a choir of 500 schoolchildren at the segregated Stanton School, where James Weldon Johnson was principal.
Nice song, but enough is enough. At various events around the country, there are a myriad of people from all nationalities, races, religions, etc. the American National Anthem is what is played in the USA, and we don not need to hear any other anthem. Not Italian, not Jewish, not African, not Asian, not Latino. When we go to an event, we should all enjoy, being equal, being there in support of your team, regardless of who you are.
