In remarks that would get conservatives instantly “canceled,” Democrat Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) took to social media to blast Super Bowl fans for not standing during the rendition of, what he called, “The Negro National Anthem.”
The U.S. congressman was referring to Grammy winner Andra Day’s performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
The song is often referred to as “The Black National Amthem” by devices leftists seeking to turn Americans against each other.
However, there is only one national anthem – “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
During the performance, as part of the pre-game festivities for Super Bowl LVIII between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers, the crowds barely responded.
Cohen appeared outraged that football fans were not standing for the song as they did for the real national anthem.
“Very very few stood for ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing,’ The Negro National Anthem,” Cohen wrote in a post on X.
“Not a pretty picture of Super Bowl crowd.”
Very very few stood at Super Bowl for “Lift Every Voice and Sing”.
The Negro National Anthem.
Not a pretty picture of Super Bowl crowd.,— Steve Cohen (@RepCohen) February 11, 2024
Cohen represents a majority-black district in western Tennessee.
The congressman’s post quickly drew a backlash online, and the Democrat responded to his critics.
One told him he should only stand for one national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” but Cohen wrote back:
“I stand for both. And in Memphis, most do.”
Another told him the “AMERICAN” national anthem by Francis Scott Key “doesn’t see color.
“Dems have been the front line in dividing this country with race wars.”
“Well, I honor our national anthem and respect it as representing our country and in our pride in it,” Cohen replied.
“However if you look at the history and some of the verbiage, it does relate to slavery and not in a questioning manner.”
Cohen later reposted replies to his original comment in an effort to suggest people were only outraged about his remarks because he is Jewish.
No you ignorant racist antisemitic troll it’s irrelevant https://t.co/KgRSj4tNsf
— Steve Cohen (@RepCohen) February 12, 2024
The decision to perform the song at this year’s Super Bowl stirred debate on social media, although it’s been an annual occurrence at the big game since the 2020 season amid the league’s renewed emphasis on racial justice causes.
Critics have said the nation has only one true national anthem and serves only to divide races further.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) wrote on X about a conversation he had with his wife about why they weren’t going to watch the Super Bowl.
“They’re desecrating America’s National Anthem by playing something called the ‘Black National Anthem,’” he wrote.
Last month, far-left “1619 Project” founder Nikole Hannah-Jones hit back at critics by arguing that the “white national anthem” is already played.
“It was written by a racist enslaver who believed black people were inferior and fought abolitionists in the courts,” she wrote of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
The NAACP first began to promote “Lift Every Voice and Sing” as the country’s “black national anthem” in 1917.
Written as a plea for liberty by James Weldon Johnson, it was also a civil rights rallying cry in the 1950s and 1960s, according to the organization.
In addition to Day, Reba McEntire sang the country’s national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and Post Malone performed “America the Beautiful” before the Super Bowl.
Usher performed the halftime show that included a slew of superstar cameos.
In only the second overtime game in Super Bowl history, the Chiefs rallied from an early deficit and defeated the 49ers with a walk-off touchdown pass, 25-22.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.
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