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| I HONESTLY DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS A BLACK NATIONAL ANTHEM |
| 2008-07-02 |
| I see a growing separatist element in more than one group lately, here's just one tasteless example. DENVER - Mayor John Hickenlooper's annual State of the City address may get more attention for what wasn't included than what was. At the start of the event Tuesday morning, City Council President Michael Hancock introduced singer Rene Marie to perform the national anthem. Instead, she performed the song 'Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing,' which is also known as the 'black national anthem.' When she finished, the audience responded with mild applause. The national anthem was never performed. Im surprised it didn't get a standing ovation. Marie told 9NEWS she kept her plans to switch songs quiet until the very last moment. She says only she, her husband and a friend knew she was going to sing something other than the 'Star-Spangled Banner.' Um, yeah. She says she wanted to express her love of her country by mixing the lyrics of 'Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing' with the melody of the 'Star-Spangled Banner.' It prolly looked much better on paper. 'When I decided to sing my version, what was going on in my head was: 'I want to express how I feel about living in the United States, as a black woman, as a black person,'' said Marie. I think we get the message Marie, loud and clear. Hickenlooper's staff picked Marie to sing the national anthem. The mayor says he believes Marie did not intend to offend anyone or make a political statement. Huh?!? When asked if he was offended, Hickenlooper said, 'You know I was more confused and I think I was more — what I was, was disappointed and confused and that's why I wanted to talk to her.' 'Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing' was written as a poem by James Weldon Johnson in 1899 and set to music by his brother in 1900. City Councilman Charlie Brown took to talk radio Tuesday afternoon to criticize the absence of the national anthem at the State of the City proceedings. 'There is no substitute for the national anthem, period,' Brown said. 'And that's what really bothered me. You know when we fly the flag, the American flag, it's always the highest flag, as it should be. And that didn't come across today, that didn't happen today.' In hindsight, both Brown and Hickenlooper say they should have stopped Marie or began singing themselves. Marie says if she had the benefit of doing it over, she would sing the same song. When asked if she would apologize for what happened she said, 'No I do not.' Thats cause victims never have to apologize Marie has been singing professionally for 10 years. Brown says he doesn't have a problem with people expressing their views, but he says Marie chose the wrong venue. Go to the link for lyrics if you really want to. |
| Posted by:bigjim-ky |
| #8 I thought this was the black nationalist anthem. |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2008-07-02 22:43 |
| #7 I'm starting to get fed up with this race and religion before American BS. Are these people sure they want to provoke real American this way? Because when push comes to shove they aren't going to like the outcome. |
| Posted by: Hellfish 2008-07-02 16:59 |
| #6 "I want to express how I feel about living in the United States, as a black woman, as a black person," said Marie. I seems she identifies as Black first, American second (if at all). 100% racist bitch. |
| Posted by: Scooter McGruder 2008-07-02 16:26 |
| #5 Real easy solution. When she sings it, sit down. Which is what hip, cool "black activists" used to do when they played the national anthem back in the 70's and probably still do. Two can play at that game. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2008-07-02 14:54 |
| #4 Just wait till the convention, they're gonna do things that make you want to crawl under the table. |
| Posted by: bigjim-ky 2008-07-02 14:48 |
| #3 Is this Marie getting paid? Maybe fined for not delivering? I'm embarassed that this happened in Denver. |
| Posted by: Jan 2008-07-02 14:32 |
| #2 Just pushed random on the ol karaoke machine huh? DNC gonna be awesome - poached marmot for all! |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2008-07-02 14:07 |
| #1 Just as Sinaed O'Conner has not been on network TV since her bit on SNL I imagine the days of Marie singing at any kind of official function are over. She'll be spending to much time singing for the DNC and the NAACP and others who will raise her up as a hero for risking her very life and freedom with such a bold non-political statement against the man. Self righteous fool. |
| Posted by: rjschwarz 2008-07-02 14:06 |