Closing Arguments: Is “Black National Anthem” Artistic Freedom or An Outrage?

She might be an obama supporter.

Sunny,
why do you assume she is an obama supporter? please due tell? and if she is what does that prove?
Why is this national news again? An artist did something odd, okay, isn’t that what we expect of artist these days.
I’m being rhetorical on the last point b/c I know why every black person that does something will make news this year. I’m sure Jake tapper is calling the Obama camp for a response to some obscure singer from denver who he has never met. Great. O’well, It’s the fourth, let just love our country and celebrate. Some of us are just tired.

It’s no doubt she is an Obama supporter because she said she was encouraged to sing the black national anthem in light of Obama’s upcoming visit to Denver in August for the Democratic National Convention.
She did it for her personal gain.

Complete outrage especially since she did it to the tune of the national anthem. What was she thinking? Not everyone is black and what she did is a disgrace to our country.

Huge outrage! Just an inkling of things to come! Scary!

Putting completely different words to a song so revered for personal gain is an outrage. That was not what was asked of her if they can’t find someone to accomplish what is asked they need to keep looking.

WE HAVE ONE NATIONAL ANTHEM! FOR ALL
IT WAS AN OUTRAGE!!

This makes me sick. Why can’t we just all get along. The answer is in the comments above.

That is not the NATIONAL ANTHEM. I cannot believe someone would confuse those words with what are nation stands for. She needs to know that this is America and you cannot play the race card anymore.

That was an outrage!

This is exceedngly offensive. She knew it was wrong to sing that song or she would have told people upfront what she was up to. It was the fact that she snuck it in the proves that she knew it was wrong. This was obnoxious and ignorant to the people forced to listen to it.

As long as we’re on the subject of ‘America belongs to all Americans’, I’m curious to know how much outrage y’all are saving for the Confederate Flag flying over American state capitols? Or are the rules about the flag different than the rules about the anthem?

Maybe I’m naive but I don’t see it as an outrage at all. I think the fact that she put it to the tune of our national anthem shows her patriotism and I say power to her. I thought it was a respectful performance.
Just my two bits.

This was definately wrong for her to sing the national antheum the way that she did. She is in the US and should act like this is the United States.

This was definately wrong for her to sing the national antheum the way that she did. She is in the US and should act like this is the United States.

Much ado about nothing. With the economy tanking, unemployment rising, a never-ending war being waged and a presidential election looming I can’t believe that there are people out there directing their energy toward something as inconsequential as this…..

This is a huge outrage. As mentioned, there is one national anthem for ALL. If this was a white person singing something known as the “White National Anthem” Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and the ACLU would be filing law suits.

Look. You’re either an American or you aren’t. No Black national anthem, No white national anthem, no Asian, Latino, Gay, Straight, Male or Female National anthems. To do otherwise sets us apart, and is a vehicle for divisiveness.
I don’t want to over react. A simple pistol whipping and deportation to another country of her choice would suffice.

This is another stellar example of how this country is being divided instead of coming together. People preach that they want to have equality but yet they continue to take two steps backwards for every step forward by separating. If we are true Americans, we are of one. Which means that we have one national anthem. We should not have a National Anthem for each ethnicity if we are truly trying to have on United America.

Oh goody! Now we all know what it feels like to be a black woman in America! It feels like you have to act out.

What in the world would lead one to believe it is acceptable to substitute “a song that describes how it felt to be a black woman in America” for our national anthem? America is not about the triumph of one culture over another, it is about respect for all..
e pluribus unum. Is this what Obama’s candidacy is bringing – Million Man March euphoria?

Isn’t that breach of contract?
Where will this end?

As a veteran I have put my life on the line for people like Ms. Marie to express themselves freely and in the manner they see fit. While I am personally offended with her decision (I have lost many close friends and brothers in arms who gave their lives so that she can continue to express her voice), I am ultimately grateful to live in a land where such freedom exists. Even after more than 200 years, it is still very much the home of the Free and the Brave…

It is an outright insult to our country and I am personally insulted by her. We are ALL Americans and there is only one National Anthem. She should have been stopped as soon as someone realized that she was not singing our National Anthem. Proud to be an American.

I do believe that the only way for us as a country to move on from racial divisions is to unite as one nation. But beyond that when you are hired to do something you do what you are paid for. I wouldn’t say it was newsworthy, just frustrating. It is senseless to bring Obama into this, in fact it is ridiculous to.

WHAT! Is everyone going crazy! She is not unAmerican, she is an American and just too throw it back in your uneducated faces, she is protected by the first amendment. How dare you racists make this a racist issue, get educated people, your ignorance is showing.

OUTRAGE!

She’s an American, regardless of her race, sex, etc…we’ve heard it all before.. Honestly, it’s Freedom of Speech..What can we do to her? Press charges for changing the words? There’s no need to dig further into this. No one on the face of the earth who is not Black will ever know what it’s like to be Colored Black…She is an example of a true self-fulfilled human being. Let her sing..leave it alone..forget about that..what is AMERICA doing about the economy..Why doesn’t ABC bring up daily rants and raves about our economy, gas prices, homelessness,poverty, Seniors losing Medicare benefits..etc..Talk about the things that really matter..

It is an absolute outrage and insult to all the soldiers dying around the globe. As a 21 year veteran (and still serving) of the US Army, I am apalled that she chose to do such a thing.
That is the problem with this country these days. Most people only care about themselves and there is no commitment to the nation.
What a sad thing that was to see. She should be ashamed.

Outrage. If black people want to be treated like a part of society, they have to stop separating themselves from society. As long as they insist that they are “African Americans” and not just “Americans” we’ll have this divide.

I see this as an outrage, remember a short time ago the spanish version of the national anthem drew the same type of reaction. In the event that Mr. Obama is victorious, I believe there will be more of this type of outrage with the obvious empowerment of Black Americans. This is a devise act when the country sincerely needs unity.

She didn’t wake us to anything. Her antics serve only as a reminder that if you cry “race” your behavior will always be excused.
Someone should have unplugged her microphone and escorted her out of the room.

This was wrong for her to sing our nationl antheum the way that she did. All of the black people think they can change everything because Oboma is running for President. I hope and pray he doesn’t win.
Ann Smith

Definitely an OUTRAGE!!! No Respect for what the National Anthem stands for or what it means to people

It was an outrage! She was asked to sing the National Anthem. The one that is for all Americans — not just blacks. Why is there even such a thing as the “Black National Anthem”? What would the blacks say if we had a White National Anthem? It’s time they stop making themselves victims.

OUTRAGE!! that was just un called for, if there was a such thing called a white national anthem, and a white woman would have done that, Jesse Jackson would be all over that saying were not moving forward in todays society, but thats the way the world is these days

She was hired to do what??? Sing the National Anthem! She did it for her personal gain. Complete outrage especially since she did it to the tune of the national anthem. What was she thinking? Not everyone is black and what she did is a disgrace to our country.

She was hired to sing the national anthem, not to express how it felt to be a black woman in America, Mr. Moran. I wonder how folks would feel if someone started singing Dixie at a town hall meeting in Detroit, Michigan, or any of a number of countless towns around this great country?
She did not perform as requested, and she got her 7.5 minutes of fame, and I hope she uses them well.
I’m not here to debate whether or not she’s an Obama supporter, or turn this into some raging political debate, as most of the folks here will probably do.
As far as your question, its just another example of how its okay for blacks to display overt racism under the guise of “being a black man/woman in America today” and having the national media not only glorify, but question whether or not in fact its okay and rational for a black person to insult white persons living in the same America she’s in.
Someone needs to tell her to suck it up…Plenty of folks don’t have as much as she’s been blessed with, and they don’t share her color, or her backstory…

ok i think that what she did was wrong and she should have told people she wasn’t going to sing the actual national anthem and make so many people angry at her for doing that. she did a very rrrrrude thing.

The United States has a NATIONAL anthem, not a racial anthem! The changing of the words were disrespectful to the original author, the American citizens, and all that heard it.

What part of sing the national anthem did she not understand? That’s what she was paid to do, not make some political or racial statement. If you can’t do that, then don’t agree to it.

You know….I agree with Rafael….we are all Americans first! And I do worry about a civil war and do worry about what will happen after the election. But I still can’t believe this lady did this and it’s suppose to be okay. She did this for her own personal gain.

In response to Me Posted July 3, 2008 @ 12:09_30 AM
If all Americans went back to where they originated, Native Americans should be living on Park Avenue!

Wouldn’t like to happen to my Irish National Anthem

There is no such thing as the black national anthem. There is only one National Anthem for all Americans, and this is an outrage to America.

I think it is time this country comes out the dark into the 20th century. Put the Declaration Independence and the Constitution in a museum and rewrite for the total race after all they where not written for African American or the Native Indigenous people of this great country. Since whites did write them and natives where not even classified as humans you called them savages and blacks where classified as slaves property with no rights.
This is the 20 th century by the way why does skull and bones cult exist with stolen bones.

This was an outrage. The American National Anthem needs no help or editing. The words are eloquent enough.
Its a shame so many groups of people in America are always running away from their American heritage..
I’m a proud Black American.. America is far from perfect, but I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.. God Bless America..

While it was a surprise, when I realized what she was doing, I thought it was an interesting creative axample of the amalgamation of two cultures i*****rica who changed this country and who have fought each other endlessly since America began.
And yes, I’m an Obama supporter, not because he’s black, but because he appears to be sensible, competent, with similar credentials to leaders who we put out faith in and still maintain that faith, even though some of them have wholly ruined parts of this great country.
If we cannot understand and make room for the fact that this country has always been made of difference and that one voice can’t be the deciding one, then we won’t last much longer. Times change; change with them or be plowed over by them.

I am tired of all the political crap day in and day out. Let’s have the election tomorrow and get it over with so we can get McCain working on his presidential agenda and put all this black crap in the toilet and go on with the business of running America. Obama
needs to go run for president in Kenya where his family is and get the hell out of America. He’s a muslim piece of crap and all his talking out of every hole is wearing sensible common sense people to their tolerable point. He’s a punk fast talking black that is a nothing, a nobody and we ain’t proud of him and his kind.

This is in NO WAY an outrage! Its expected!! Do you white anglo saxon people really believe that we as BLACKS are gonna just roll over and act as if race isnt an issue? You should be happy we are taking a LESS AGGRESSIVE approach to the issue of race. Just deal with it and stay outta the way. IDIOTS!

That was a complete outrage and utter disgrace to the national anthem.
She only did it to draw more attention to Denver just before Obama arrives.

That is not the NATIONAL ANTHEM. I cannot believe someone would confuse those words with what are nation stands for. She needs to know that this is America and you cannot play the race card anymore.
Posted by: robin | Jul 3, 2008 12:09:48 AM
And in response to the above comment people play the race card EVERY DAY! When you work in the human services field you see it round the clock. So please don’t say that just because it’s America, doesn’t mean you can’t play the race card. Perhaps we SHOULDN’T but no where does it say that people can’t, and the general population takes full advantage of that.

There is no such thing as the black national anthem. There is only one National Anthem for all Americans, and this is an outrage to America.

I am sick of hearing the tune and now the words butchered every time our national anthem performed.

I don’t mind if she forwarned everyone what she was going to do, but the fact was that she did not. She “ambushed” everyone with her ‘freedom of expression’. She should be fined multiple times what she was supposed to have been paid for that gig for breach of contract.

Outrage,and sad. Her explanation for her rudeness sounds disingenuous. Hope its not a sign of things to come. She was completely out line and it was a deception on her part.

There is no such thing as the black national anthem. There is only one National Anthem for all Americans, and this is an outrage to America.

It was an outrage. I think it’s time for all the people that don’t want to speak English, or sing the National Anthem or honor our laws should be deported. They are ruining this country. Love it or leave it!

One test of high art is that it evokes anger from some. I am therefore inclined to view Rene Marie’s performance through the lens of creativity and since I’m secure in my love for America I’m not having a problem with her musical performance.

Artists have the thankless job of pointing out the problems of society. It’s always been that way and always will be. Racism, unfortunately, is alive and well today, as illustrated in some of the comments here. Rock on Rene Marie!

Just another publicity hound only caring about herself! No one but the people in Denver area know who she is or even care. Now she has Nightline advertising her for free! Too bad…we’ve already forgotten who she is, just that she sings on the same level as Roseanne Barr. Let whatever her name is go back to obscurity.

Unfortunately this outrage will be rememembered by voters in the next presidential election.

Hello, people – this is the voice of an essential aspect of the American Experience. The rendition was gorgeous and valid. I’m a proud American and look forward to the energy ALL our citizens can provide in sorting out the muck of the future. Thank you, Ms. Marie. Thank you from not only me, but my children, as well. Art will keep us all human and vital. Let’s all come to the table and break bread TOGETHER.

Yes, HUGE outrage! Please, be reasonable about this topic. IF, there were a “WHITE” National Anthem…WOW, Jackson & Sharpton would go on their usual shakedown, and blow up the airwaves as to how this is a racist action. Gotta’ love the double-standards in this country?!?!

As an artist, I can relate to her artistic impression of a traditional song. But, it was upsetting to have her views forced upon the unsuspecting public. I don’t believe that it was the proper forum for her to express her views.

We are all different, but we need to unify not try to recreate the national anthem. Well, I guess since I am Irish, I should be able to do one honoring my heritage. I know then others would get mad so let’s stay with the original.

I would’ve liked to hear the whole song – from what I heard it sounded beautiful. Better than a song about war.

She wasn’t hired to express her feelings as a black woman in America, she was paid to sing a specific song at a specific event. If she truly believed it wouldn’t stir controversy, why were her actions so covert? Why not share her plan with her employer? This was an ambush pure and simple, the woman had an agenda and I hope to hell they didnt cut her check prior to her performance.

Why is this even an issue? We’re at war. We’re in a state of economic decline. We’re at the foot at of a historic presidential race.
This song was nothing more than a choice by a single woman. In no way does this effect the day to day workings of our great country. The First Amendment also applies to her. (In case you haven’t read the first sentence of the Amendment, it reads “…Freedom of speech and expression.” But you already knew that, right?)

Response to: Me
If all Americans returned to their origins, Native Americans should be residing on Park Avenue

It was a beautiful artistic expression,
If you had really listened to the words you would have understood the song,
it goes to the heart of how black people have suffered in this country,
Always remember, Slavery was not a tea party for us !

I understand the frustration many are feeling, as we are all protective of our national anthem (especially in these times of “politically correct” sensitivity).
But to present this as either:
a) artistic freedom or
b) an complete outrage
is repulsive to me. why can’t we be passionate about issues with substance instead of calling one woman’s minor minor indiscretion an outrage.
And how about encouraging civil debates… the suggestion of civil war is also insulting.

So sad to see the racism is still alive and WELL in America. White people, please sit down and get over yourselves. So she sang the National Negro Anthem. You people, yes I said it, trip me out with you comments. “Some black thing,” how dare you. The song was created as a beacon of hope and inspiration for people who were not afforded the same rights as the majority population. If any of you would take the time to listen to the lyric, you would see that. The Star-Spangled Banner was a poem that written about the war of 1812. And what does Barack Obama have to do with anything? Hmm, his skin is also brown, therefore he’s involved? Just say you won’t vote for him because he’s BLACK and make it easy for everyone! Peace.

Outrage, she had no right, no one has the right to change the Anthem of this great Country.

Outrage, she had no right, no one has the right to change the Anthem of this great Country.

yeah, this kinda stuff hurts obama. that sucks, i don’t want mccain worser!

How in the hell can this women even think that she could deface the national anthem by singing this crap.
If she was hired to sing at a concert or a club she can sing what she wants.

This is an outrage and an insult to all Americans. I am a white Obama supporter and this lady’s stupidity has nothing to do with Obama. This lady performed an attrocious act of outrage and insult.

A total outrage. When it comes to race, aren’t we being instructed by many Democrats, including Barack Obama, to seek the commonalities rather than the differences among Americans? What is more common to American citizens than its National Anthem? One that represents all of us – not just some of us – regardless of how entitled, one one side, or oppressed, on the other, some of our citizens may feel.

wow,how the on earth did Obama get into this? you all are so funny to me.
back on topic,if she was paid to sing the “national anthem” then that’s what she should have done or not get paid. outraged? give me a break. the media loves to use these strong words and you all like sheep follow.
get a brain and think for yourselves.

If the blacks in this country want their own anthem then maybe they should find their own country. They can have as many songs as they want but they need to make up their own music and NOT call it a the National Anthem. I agree that it is scary if this is the way America is going.

This is an outrage. She owes this
country and all it`s people an apology. Our National Anthem is sacred and symbol of this nation`s fight against tyranny and oppression.

Our national anthem is just that – NATIONAL ANTHEM – it does not belong to one particular group of people and should never never be disrespected in the name of venting your own personal rantings. Her racism was showing and she was way out of line.

Isn’t all this outrage a bit manufactured.
I mean there is cause for a flag burning amendment, what’s next a National Anthem amendment to the constitution that makes it illegal to misquote a single word. We could levy massive fines against anyone who can’t sing it all the way through from memory verbatim. Of course it could be the end of baseball as we know it because if you’ve ever been to a game while people collectively sing the national anthem it does tend to get a little fuzzy in the middle.
Now should she have sung the “Black National Anthem” when she was paid to sing our national anthem. Probably not. Is this the thin end of the wedge opening the doors to a national anthem for every single group out there that has a cause, also probably not.

It is definently an OUTRAGE! This was to be our National anthem not to be for only one segment of our nation. I thought the point was “Americans” and that we are not suppose to be looking at color and ethnic background…It must stop not only from White people but from Africian Americans also…We are all Americans.

“Lift Every Heart and Sing” is extremely difficult to sing, probably harder than “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
The Star-Spangled Banner, which takes its tune from a British drinking song, has four verses, most of which aren’t known by many Americans.
That the words of “Lift Every Heart and Sing” fit so well into the verses – both very uplifting and patriotic – I’d say it’s an interesting addition and interpretation.
Encore!

This woman overstepped her boundaries. She was hired or selected to sing the National Anthem of the United States of America at a public event….not to render her artistic interpretation of something to the anthem’s tune. She was trying to make a “black” statement and the fact that she told NO ONE what she planned to do is just proof that she knows she was wrong to do it….and would probably have been asked not to or not permitted to sing at all if she had. It was disrespectful, misrepresentative and very unprofessional….but hey…if you watch the news, you now know her otherwise unrecognizable name, now don’t you??…uh huh…that’s what I thought…..

It was a huge outrage! I cannot believe anyone would want to alter the words to our national anthem and sing it publicly, full well knowing she was doing something she wasn’t asked to do. She was asked to sing the national anthem, not her personal version of it and she took it upon herself sing her own personal version of it publicly.

It was outrage. We have one national anthem that our country recognizes, this is not it.

this is not nor will it ever be an anthem ..sing it in church not as an american anthem
as i’ve heard this b4 as my wife is a teacher in the chicago school system and this is what they sing at her school….it is Outrageous that this the black national anthem is addressed as such….why is it always ok for people of color to have organizations,songs,whatever about their race,but we as people of the white race were to do that we would be racist

I am outraged beyond belief! Ms. Marie needs to understand that the National Anthem is not for her to alter. For that matter, it is not up for any US citizen to remake for their own public display or benefit. I’m a Democrat and really taking offense at how some folks are trying to heighten the race tactic by their selfish and self-centered motives since Obama is now on the ticket. If this is a taste of what our nation will turn in to should Obama be elected, I for one, will be thinking long and hard about what is best for our country at large!

Sunshine, if your asked to sing the National Anthem sing it. Red, black, white, off-white or otherwise. She said she would sing the song so sing it right. It’s not a racial song it is supposed to unify, not divide. That we be like saying we live in the United States of America (except for _______ fill in the blank with whatever color)

This is not artistic but rather an outrageous behavior and extremely insulting to the average American. The National Anthem is not a song that should be re-written nor the music be re-arranged. It is the National Anthem of the United States of America and ALL Americans, as such it is sacred and not to be trifled with for activist ethnic reasons nor political protest. It is to be respected and recited as written.

Being an American isn’t about race – and I am so sick of it all. If this is a sample of what is to come if Obama wins, America is in for a very long 4 years.
The National Anthem is America’s song… What she sang was NOT.
This woman should be ashamed of herself for embarassing the entire city of Denver. Did you see the looks on the faces around her? Too bad for her career after this episode.

Heartfelt, artistic, revolutionary—an American expression of self! The 4th of July is approaching. Freedom of speech is guaranteed by our constitution. A national anthem is a song.
Ours exalts war? Personally, I’d prefer “America the Beautiful”.

This a terrible outrage to take our country’s national anthem which represents all Americans not just one race, and replace it with another person’s words.

very original…. wish i’d thought of it.

I’d like to hire a singer to sing Dixie at the next meeting she is scheduled to attend.
How DARE she take the liberty to change the words to the National Anthem. I agree with one of the earlier commets, that the black community feels its their “right” to preach their blackness to me.

Just another Nappy Headed Hoe doing something stupid. I pray everyday McCain wins because this type of nonsense will become an everyday event.

I think it was a beautiful expression, an artists interpretation of the national anthem. It expressed pride in our nation, while at the same time acknowledging that the experience of non-white Americans has not been identical to the experience of white Americans. I don’t think we should be afraid of our differences I think we should embrace them. It’s really okay that we are not all the same–really it is. In the end we have much more in common than we don’t, so there is no reason to be threatened when someone expresses an element of their unique identity that is different from our own.
Beautiful! Nightline, please make the entire tape available.

Outrageous!
To insert other words..to our National Anthem..is a slap in the face to all Americans.
Very disrepectful…and against everything that Martin Luther King stood for.
Shame on her..and shame on everyone who supports the so called “black national anthem”

She is an artist and artists have the thankless job of telling the truth about the problems of society- always have, always will. Unfortunately racism is very much alive and well, as illustrated by many of the posts here. Rock on, Rene Marie!!

It is an outrage! This “Black National Anthem” has been sung for many years. I taught in an all black school district and this anthem was sung at every school event. The students did not know the words to any other anthem except for the words to Lift Every Voice and Sing. I’ve been telling family and friends about the fact that a black national anthem exsists and people always looked at me like I was making up a story. This is the very thing that divides the races. The African American culture wants to be seen as equal but they continue to isolate themselves. How could you feel any sense of pride toward your country when you are being taught to sing a different anthem? I am sure this woman who sang Lift Every Voice and Sing can trace her “American” roots back further than most of us who are children or grandchildren of immigrants. How dare she!! This country will never see peace among the races when one group has their own anthem. I believe the song originate as a nego spiritual, I am not sure when it became known as an”anthem”.

It is apparent that many of you that stated Ms. Marie “changed the words to the anthem” when she indeed did not. She sang the “Black National Anthem”. Ignorance is truly abundant in this country with the knuckle bump just representing a greeting to freedom of expression as who we are as individuals (and if you didn’t notice we are Black Americans, not Afro-American, just black).
This is an interesting topic when an artist can’t even express him/herself to the public without them having a temper tantrum.
It has just been in the last 20-30 years that White America recognized the accomplishments of Black Americans.
Wake up America! If you don’t want race to be an issue then try, just try to give everyone an equal opportunity without looking at color, gender, deficiencies, etc.

Quoting “Me”: “The Mexicans are not going to change American values, why to the black think they are going to? Blacks keeps singling themselves out all the time and fuel the fire. GO BACK TO AFRICA if you want to be African so much.”
“Go back to Africa”?! I suppose that I don’t have to imagine what you think of African Americans. While we’re at it why don’t we go back to EUROPE? It’s people saying things like this that make this woman totally justified.

THIS IS 2008 NOT 1860 WHEN THERE WERE SLAVES IN THIS COUNTRY. THIS IS A TOTAL DISGRACE TO ALL TRUE AMERICANS AND ESPECIALLY TO FRANCIS SCOTT KEY’S MASTERPIECE.
SHE SHOULD BE LABELED AS A TERRORIST AND TREATED AS SUCH.
HER RACE IS NOT THE MINORITY ANYMORE, THE WHITE OR CAUCASION PEOPLE ARE.

this is a HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGEEEEEEE outrage!!!! If she gets paid to play the national anthem she should sing it.

I am getting SO tired of blacks playing the race card because our ancestors treated them poorly. Until race becomes a nationality, which it never will in any country of mixed ethnic groups, either be an American or move somewhere else and take up their citizenship. Playing the race card HURTS the blacks – BIG TIME.

I am curious to know why everyone in the thread thinks that it is perfectly OK to bag on the entire black race because of the stupid actions of one stupid individual – who happens to be black? Why does the consensus seem to think that “this is the tip of the iceberg?” The previous respondents are simply using this as an opportunity to broadcast their racist feelings. America does not get afraid of white folks whenever a white person is in the news for making a stupid comment or decision. Everyone reading and responding needs to take a deep look at themselves before posting another ignorant comment.

This was a moving expression. I really don’t understand why the privileged get so up in arms over things that when you think about them really don’t effect our lives. If people want to get enraged about something why don’t they get enraged by the growing disparities in education, health, and income. The middle income is quickly shrinking creating the haves and have nots while we focus on whether an artist’s chosen way to express the national anthem is palatable. Lastly, all who are outraged should read and reflect on the words of what is being called the Black National Anthem. What is expressed in that anthem is truly American.

I BELIEVE SHE WAS VERY CREATIVE BY THE
WAY THE SONG WAS PRESENTED. WE DEFINITELY LIVE IN A CLIMATE WHERE WE ALL MUST ACCEPT DIVERSITY AND UNDERSTANDING THAT WE ARE ALL SPIRITUALLY AND GENETICALLY CONNECTED.
WE MUST LEARN TO BE MORE AT PEACE WITH ONE ANOTHER AND GENUINELY LOVE!!!

What in the world does Obama or McCain have to do with this “admired jazz singer’s” actions? I feel this woman made a severe reverse discriminatory move in doing what she did. Even if we make one step forward in the journey toward racial equality, a selfish move like this takes us two steps back. Where is Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton in all this? I sure know where they’d be if some white admired jazz singer had changed the lyrics to the National Anthem with the words to a so-called “White National Anthem”. They be fussing and moaning about how wrong it was and we’d have to look at them and listen to them for days on end!

Total Outrage! I can’t believe race has to be pulled into everything. We have black entertainment channel, black beauty pagents, black history month, black music awards etc, are we supposed to have have white entertainment channels, white anthems, white beauty pagents etc? I believe black people should stop creating racial seperation and work to unite the country and one way to do this is by honoring our “national” athem and not trying to create animosity by singing a “black” anthem.

This is to that black pink a$$ Chill Will…
What are you go to to boy, rise up with guns and get violent. blackie won’t do that cause there is only 12% of your scum here and the 60%+ white folk have guns too boy and we’ll wipe you out and be done with your punk a$$ and you and your kind. understand that boy, I don’t think the average or below average blackie is wantin’ any of that do you boy?

I don’t care how she tries to clean it up, it was wrong for her to do what she did. She was hired to sing the National Anthem and only the National Anthem.

This is an outrage. That was not the National Anthem! This country is getting more and more racist everyday and I mean black against white. For goodness sake why doesn’t everyone just get over it, we all have blood, hearts kidneys and livers. It’s time to let go of the “woe is me, we were so abused” line and get on with the here and now.

I THOUGHT SHE WAS A FANTASTIC !
WE ARE ALL AMERICANS WHY NOT SING THE SONG SHE FELT SHE WANTED TO SING. THIS IS NOT A RACIAL CARD.
TRY PUTTING DIFFERENT WORDS TO MUSIC AND HAVE IT SOUND AS BEAUTIFUL AS SHE DID.
AS FAR AS BLACK THAT IS A COLOR THE SAME AS I AM WHITE WHICH IS A COLOR.
PERSONALLY I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR THE SONG AGAIN.

Marian Webster would refer her to her stunt an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another’s feelings

What is so special about being a black woman in America? I am a white, American, middle aged woman in America -and I’m just me! Sing our National Anthem and stop pointing out our differences rather than similarities. There would be a lot less racism if individuals didn’t always feel the need to point how it feels to be “black”. Personally my dear, I don’t give a damn!

How dare anyone in the United States say that African Americans are any less American, it is a race classification, made up by white Americans, and if you don’t know of the song that she sang, then you are IGNORANT! Racism needs to go away, until we as a people realize and have empathy for other nationalities, we will never grow as a nation. Everyone, who says that if African Americans can just go back to Africa, is stupid. Africans were brought here by force, by our forefathers, they were enslaved and treated worse than we treat an animal. I am a caucasian and I am ashamed of most Americans, who use race as a pulpit for spewing ignorance. GET EDUCATED PEOPLE!!!!!!!!

I GOT IT!!!!
for this proud lady and every other “patriotic american” that feels the need to take our history and cultural to radical levels, lets give them a island that doesn’t appear on maps and let them establish their own country with their new anthem, any language is a offical language, history doesn’t matter, religion is their choice, goverment and laws are optional. If they need sugar and flour or other raw materials, they will need to trade with other countries…woops, they don’t have a treasury dept so they better have something besides coconuts and fish. And good luck defending yourself without an army.
Also, lets send ABC film crew to document their survival and see how long before they paddle a raft back over to our shores because they can’t survive without the things that they refuse to recognize in this great land we call AMERICA. Perhaps the National Anthem means a lttle more now???
GOD BLESS!

She has committed sedition against the United States of America. She should be arrested. Sedition carries two years in federal prision. She has disgraced this country and should be deported. Sedition is a term of law which refers to covert conduct, such as speech and organization, that is deemed by the legal authority as tending toward insurrection against the established order. Sedition often includes subversion of a constitution and incitement of discontent (or resistance) to lawful authority. Sedition may include any commotion, though not aimed at direct and open violence against the laws. Seditious words in writing are seditious libel.

Outrage. This follows tactics encouraged by Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton that does nothing for equality and unity. It is very divisive.

Lighten up! Beautiful song and voice! We are all still Americans.

I think this is very interesting that this obviously intellegent person would use the National Anthem to push her cause and then claim confusion when challenged as to why she sang this song, the purported “Black National Anthem.”
This is racism to the highest degree! If a caucasian performed such as this, every African American activist would be shouting for the White person’s head, but because it was a black woman, it is OK. Also she certainly isn’t a patriot singing that.
It looks like race relations will take more time to heal. My goodness, this is 2008, not the 1950′s!

I’m so tired of this trashing of our country, under the guise of 2 nations under God Black or White pride. It’s driving a wedge thru our society, and it doesn’t bridge our differences at all. We all have different backgrounds and ethnic make-ups, but we still have American traditions that we share. Slavery was an abomination, and my family was here and in the South at the time, but fought for an end to it. My great grandfather (x4) died at Gettysburg and so did one of his sons. I also didn’t appreciate years back when Rosanne Barr gave a screaming croaking toad version of it. I want unity in our country, but there’s so much friction on both sides I don’t think it will be in my lifetime. So, in the interim, let’s try and be civil and respect American traditions. I’m a disabled combat veteran, and I accept everyone has the right to show their patriotism differently. You don’t have to die or give a limb to love our country. In these troubled times, we’ll have to pull together or be marginalized. I’m too old to change, but I’m not prejudiced!

I am very offended by this. Our National Anthem is one of few things that all Americans can relate to. I mean trying to make it her own is one thing, but saying she did it to express herself as a black woman in this country is crossing the line. I’m an Hispanic woman, so should I sing the National Anthem in spanish? I’m very proud of who I am but at the end of the day I’m also an American, and thats what this song is about. The words shouldn’t be changed for anyone no matter who you are.

I am sick and tired of the lack of respect for the American People…..We live in America. Respect the National Anthem and In God We Trust. If you lived in another country and disrespect their belief, you will be jailed or killed.
One question, with one answer…..If you do not like it in the good old USA, leave! No one is holding you hostage. Leave, immediately.

She was requested to sing our National Anthem; she did not. As far as I’m concerned, this was as bad as the rendition of Roseanne Barr.

We only always hear “Poor Blacks” while the horrendous things that were done to the American Indians are totally ignored.

I would be considered very pro African American. I believe in African American rights and mostly all causes. I am also an African American male. However, I don’t believe the Jazz singer should have substituted the song “Lift Every Voice & Sing” for the “National Anthem”. Because the people who asked her to perform did not ask that “Lift Every Voice & Sing” be sung. Her actions reinforce in many White Americans minds that African American can’t be trusted and are un-American.
Her actions give additional causes for Republicans to tell American don’t vote for Obama because he will do the same.
Finally, I believe that the Jazz singers did this to get her 15 minutes of fame and to advance her singing career. If she hadn’t done this, no one would be taking about her and she would be unknown. If she wanted to do this, why didn’t she ask if should could sing that? She wanted the shock so she could get the press.

This is disgusting and she needs to apoligize to this nation. If a white person tried that or Mexican or Asian the black leaders would be all up in arms demanding they crucify whomever would do such an outrageous thing.

What a nasty, horrid, unbelievably racist outrage!!
She was not hired to sing just any song — it was the National Anthem.
She wants us to know what it’s like to be a black woman? Does she mean someone getting a totally free ride in America — with all of the outdated Affirmative Action programs out there??!? If she were a lesbian, it would be the Trifecta!! Any employer would be FORCED to hire her and would NEVER be able to fire her.
Oooh poor her.
Give me a break.
Live is hard for us all — not just black people. I am tired of that stale old song.
And her song stunk.

To be honest, I think it’s great that we are allowed to be so opinionated about how we feel and what we think. There are countries that aren’t so lucky nor previliged. We have to be responsible with our freedom of speech. Furthermore, I wouldnt say I’m “outraged” by what she has done. All this anger is unneccessary. Why be so angry? But I do think the national anethem should remain a song that is NEUTRAL.

I am Black. I am a woman. I am a Patriot. Ms. Marie was hired to sing the National Anthem and her idea to “be artistic” should have been at the knowledge and approval of those who hired her for this very important occasion. To compare the “Black National Anthem” to Hitler’s rally-cry is so outrageous, but to be expected in this year when a bi-racial candidate who happens to be half-African is the Democratic nominee for President. It is both telling and troubling to see how White America has privately and publicly shown “their colors” in reaction. I am blessed to have been raised by parents and born in a city where diversity and tolerance were the norm. I encourage all who do not already know to look into the history of the Black National Anthem. Examine what it means that the largest immigrant populations in America were brought here in chains or forced to perform free, hard labor for their keep. I pray for safety and prosperity for both Presidential nominees, for our troops around the world and for better tolerance and understanding from everyone here in America.

I congratulate the young lady on her performance. It was very respectful and tastefully done. I don’t understand why so many white folk become so upset when African Americans change things to their perspective just as white America has done for centuries. Yea, black folk should sing the National Anthem anyway we feel in our hearts and mind to sing it; we built this country for free and are still discriminated on a routine basis. Many whites don’t understand that because they are not subject to such unfairness. And to everyone that has for some strange reason related this to things to come in the possible Obama administration, I think that is really insane and racist. You don’t have to wear sheets to be in the KKK; they wear Brooks Brothers suits now.

Yeah racism is still alive…white people are constantly walking on egg shells…god forbid we say one thing…It amazes me that people look pass Obama’s association with Rev. Wright and are still cheering him on.

This is definitely an OUTRAGE. There is only One United States of America National Anthem and to sing any other words to its melody is a disgrace. There is no such thing a a Black National Anthem. You are either an American or you are not. Otherwise you belong some where else. Is that what Barak Obama will bring to our country too. I’d like to hear what he thinks about this.

I agree this is was a very disrespectful thing for her to do. It shows she thinks more of expressing her blackness than expressing her Americanism. If a white person had done such a thing, it would not be tolerated. In fact, I dare say a white person would have been stopped in mid song, as she should have been. I cannot wait to see how Al Sharpton reacts to this. Surely, he’ll suggest she should never be able to sing again in public. America is tiring of this double standard.

freedom!!!!!!!!

About ten years ago, I was a teacher in a Philadelphia inner city public school [student body = 100% black]. At an assembly, with many outside guests, the principal asked the students to stand and sing the “black national anthem”. Later I spoke to the principal in her office. I told her I was very upset. “This is a public school. We teach American values in an American public school. If this was a public school in palm beach fl. would you want the students to sing the Cuban national anthem?” She was very upset. I was a thorn in her master plan for generating black pride. But,that was the last time the “black national anthem” was ever sung at a school function.
Paul Bergsman, N3PSO

Lift every voice and sing
Till earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the listening skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us,
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun
Let us march on till victory is won.
Stony the road we trod,
Bitter the chastening rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat,
Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears have been watered,
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,
Out from the gloomy past,
Till now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.
God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who has brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who has by Thy might
Led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, Our God, where we met Thee;
Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;
Shadowed beneath Thy hand,
May we forever stand.
True to our GOD,
True to our native land James Weldon Johnson June 17, 1871 – June 26, 1938

You people that have your heads in the sand and have an issue with war need to get over it. September 11, 2001 began a new era is this world. There is a group of people that want everything that this country stands for and founded on to be destroyed. I spent 17 months away from my home and my family to fight “them” there so that our families weren’t attacked here. These people will not stop until they are defeated.
In regards to the racial remarks…It is simple if the african-american community won’t except..neither will the caucasian community. The african-american community want equality yet they pull stupid, embarrasing stunts like this and try to say it is ok.
Goofy Jesse Jackson and the other minions would be having heart attacks if some caucasian clown pulled a similar stunt.
Everyone needs to practice what they preach and get over themselves. Freedom isn’t free. You get what you give. Plain and simple.

Wake up white people
Spit in your face and disgrace you and this country and be fooled by a black man who’s back father didn’t have the sack to raise him , so his single white mommy did it for him , this is what is running for your president

This is just another example of the total disregard for the respect and dignity of the traditions of this great nation. I am so sick and tired of hearing about woe is me. Instead, everyone seems to forget that if it were not for this beloved nation of ours with amber waves of grain and purple mountains majesty we would be living under nazism, socialist or better yet a communistic society. How soon we forget the sacrifices of our fore fathers when 58 men signed their death sentence to start this nation that would surely mean their death. They stood on principal and values that are sorely lacking in these individuals that the media want to plaster on TV and laudable tributes of self righteousness. Well I say get off your soap box. Go to work and cut your whining. We have far more issues to worry about like national security, maintaining our Sovereignty, the economy, maintaining our constitutional rights. So your ancestors were slaves get a grip already. Get off your ass, get a job and if you don’t like it, you know where the door is….last time I checked Zimbabwe has 10000% inflation and their President is actually killing off the opposition and if you don’t like Zimbabwe there’s Darfur and a whole host of other countries that seem to make American look like a cake walk. So when you start complaining about how bad you have here in the great U.S.A. lets keep in perspective. And, if your not part of the solution, get out of the way.
Sincerely,
A Constitutionalist, Staunch Conservative and die hard Republican. So for all those who are afraid to say something stick that in your hat and smoke it.
P.S. Take Barack Hussein Obama with you!

Of course its an outrage.
This clearly is the implication of Spike lee’s comment that an Obama victory will make America “chocolate”.
I have no recourse but to choose to be an American before being a Democrat and caste my vote for McCain

There is only one American National Anthem. If Ms. Marie can’t sing it, send her to a country that wants to hear it. How would she feel if whites introduced a White National Anthem and sang it. She’s fanning the flames of racism and should be ashamed of herself!!!

I agree, good for her. It is safe to say that everyone loves living in this country, are patriotic, most importantly believe in this country. So why can’t she sing her own song, her own life? Last time I checked, that’s what this country is about. Every one of us has a different view of our lives. Would you like someone judging and suppressing your right to express yours???

Blacks can lamblast the whites but the whites cannot say even the slighest thing about the blacks. The blacks are still moaning about slavery, about 200 years ago. Get over it!!! The first slave trader was black!!!! For all you goody two shoes, bleeding hearts, ACLU fanatics, NAACP fans—-if Yo Bama Obama gets elected this country will go down the toilet. By the way, the Denver singer can blame it on stupidity, definitely not on talent. Dale

It was disrespectful to change the words of our National Anthem. If she thought it was appropriate she would have talked the change over with the people in charge.If she was not comfortable singing our National Anthem she should not have excepted the invitation.

TO FRED:
No — her being black had nothing to do with it.
And America The Beautiful is NOT the National Anthem, either — no matter who sings it.
But the National Anthem is our national song — and she should have sang it as is.
I take pride that America is made up of people of different cultures, and believe it or not, I find it especially significant when a non-white sings the song — it puts even more weight to the song’s meaning.
But she spat on it — and on ALL of us — but her outrageous stunt.

blakie obama will never be our president he’s too much a racist bastard and a divider to accomplish that. he brings his dumba$$ will and racist’s ways with him and the white folk don’t want none of that negro crap. take you racist blackie a$$ back to the bush where your family be and run you negro agenda over their and take that negro wife of yours with you she ain’t welcome here either

I,m 100 percent american and served this country and I think she was way out of line and needs to be sent to jail! It was racist.I’m white and if I did something like that I would be arrested for saying racist slears,funny thing though blacks can run around calling each other ni**ers all day long but if your white and say the N word guess what you’ll find yourself in jail!

Some of these posting are outrageous!Scary! Obama has nothing to do with this. Blame it on the rain. Okay people? Okay.

Why is this such an outrage? Did this make the gasoline prices rise? Did her singing export jobs overseas? Did it increase the homeless population? Did she use her niece as a sex slave? Did she make us invade a country under false pretenses and cause the needless death of over 4,000 Americans? This is once again a case of symbol over substance! America is not about songs, or flags or pledges. It should be about freedom,justice, equality and oppurtunity!

You people just dont get it. That national anthem, is not about our experience here, it is a song about the how the slave masters “George Washington” fought their british masters to be free of them, and stop paying the queen her tax money. So we have our own anthem to express how we feel being slaves, oppressed, second class citizens in your country. Lift every voice and sing, till earth and heaven ring,Oh say can you see! that our experience here in this racist country has left us damaged and deeply wounded, you people will never understand that,you just live in fear of the unknown,and now you want to lash out over a song.

People Please stop making reference to OBAMA. He wasn’t there. This Woman, “BLACK WOMAN” made a statement. Don’t be mad the SISTER expressed herself in a way only very artistic have dreamed of but never dare. If you’re secure in your PATRIOTIZM, you would see it for what it is. She did her thing and did it well. Put that on your next CD Lady Friend

To zatoichi101:
I think your comment was directed to me.

I am a white female and this is really sad..not what happened, but the comments. Ok yeah she should have sang the correct anthem, but why blame it on Obama? Please remember he is mixed…There is alot of racism going on in this blog about Blacks singling out themselves or what have you, then saying go back to Africa…This is supposed to be a free country..A lot of white artist do things that alot of people do not agree with, but no one ever sees it as wrong or disrespectful or better yet its just not mentioned but the minute a black person does something it is broadcast EVERYWHERE.. This is pointless and all you folks need to just let it go

I entered the military in 1970. I encountered a lot of discrimination in the military for years and years. It didn’t destroy how I felt about my country, the flag or the national anthem. I do feel that I was there so that we could all have the freedoms and opportunities that we have today. The military sent us through “Race Relations” classes to learn about other cultures. We are all different, but I know that we are all Americans. I believe we all need to work together and not sweat the small stuff.

Acceptance, understanding…Be more at peace with one another??? Give me a break!! When did we into wimps? Grow a set and fight for what you believe in.

It’s an outrage! Someone should have had the courage to step-up to stop her or shut-off the microphone.
She was an offense to all Americans.
Americans are all colors and cultures not just black and white.

Totally unacceptable behavior, rude and, yes, I am outraged. Artist or not, she doesn’t have the right to choose which “National Anthem”. I simply cannot believe the nerve of someone to do that! The last time I checked, there was only one national anthem. Besides her unpatriotic behavior, she was invited to sing the national anthem – not her own selection. Was she trying to make a point? I’d bet on it. Is this the beginning of the ‘changing America’? If she’s American, she should be proud to sing the National Anthem – “The Star Spangled Banner”. If she’s not a proud American, maybe the organizers should choose their guests more carefully next time.

Okay, I just posted without reading every entry. Hi, I’m white, and I don’t feel threatened by a black woman singing an alternative to our national anthem. It does not offend me. I am not scared of losing some type of (wrongly) perceived “dominance” some of you seem to think you have. The fact that you, who ever you might be, feel threatened by someone expressing their views totally accentuates that you may just be narcissistic and need to take a step back and evaluate your negative outlook on life.

She was asked to sing the National Anthem which she did not do. She did not fulfill her part of the agreement. If she wanted to share how she feels to be a black woman in America, then do it in another setting. This was not the appropriate place. She was way out of line. Somebody should have cut off her mic and gotten someone else to sing the National Anthem or better still had someone lead the audience to sing together our National Anthem. I feel Ms Marie did this for her own personal gain and for that she should be ashamed. Maybe she is interested in dividing the country.

If you want to be considered equal to everyone else stop referring to yourself as African-American and consider yourself just and AMERICAN. As someone who has tried to trace ancestry in my family….can these indivuals truly claim they are AFRICAN American…I was tought in school that slaves came from many places and not just Africa. Blacks want equality…stop singling the black race out…Miss Black America- we don’t have a Miss Mexican American Pagent, Black History Month- we don’t have Polish History Month, United Negro College Fund- we don’t have United Chinese College Fund….get my point!

I wonder what Barack Obama would say about Rene Marie actions? I think that he would agree that it was dishonest. Why wasn’t she upfront with the folks about what she intended to do? Obviously because no one would have allowed her to do so. She was invited to sing our National Athem, but she took advantage of the trust her host put in her to leverage an opportunity amplifying that racial differences are keeping us divided. Obviously we still have a long ways to go to put the past behind us and our differences aside.

The sad thing is that the Blacks are better off over here even though they complain. I grew up in Africa and LOVED it, but the typical American Black person wouldn’t be able to survive. The Africans are beautiful, loving people and have very little yet are so happy and friendly. They don’t have a chip on their shoulders.

Oh yeah – JWOOD, i knew one of you “WHITE TOUGH GUYS” where out there! Please lets meet up so we can really get it on! Lets stop playing on the internet and really get to business! let me make that good ol white blood spill on your white land!! i got something real good for ya! dont play games’ let get to business you lil pu$$Y! i like it! i got a .223 wit ya name all over it!

If any of you outraged white people had ever been black, and suffered the humiliations, prejudices, rejections, listened to some of the stories passed on by your forefathers, discriminations, beatings, watched videos of police dogs and policemen beating down your mothers, fathers, uncles, etc., etc., etc., had watch your loved ones dragged from their homes, never to be seen alive again, discovering your loved ones hanged from trees, walking to and from schools, while the white kids rode school buses and passed you by making derogatory remarks, being forced to stand up on public transportation, being treated like you were trash, only able to go to the back door to order take out food, then you wouldn’t talk the way you are talking now. The only reason the black man came up with a Black National Anthem in the first place was because he was not treated like the National Anthem belonged to him. The only reason he is in America is because he was forced to come here in shackles. Have you forgotten that everyone here came from somewhere else, only they came voluntarily. Just because so many blacks were willing to jeopardize their lives so the black man’s chances of prospering would be increased, does not mean that the black race can just erase all of the past from their hearts and memory, and act like nothing ever happened. You will never know the feeling until you have walked in their shoes. Thank God for Jesus, who has come into so many lives of the black man and the white man, so that there are some people who have let the past go. We can only hope that in the near future, this will happen to the rest of America. By the way, let’s be very careful how we treat and respond to the Mexican people, who have infiltrated America, remember they came here for the same reason that the white man did, to find a better life. And what does Barack Obama have to do with this? There you go again, grouping all black people in the same category, and letting your predujice show. May the peace of God rest, rule and abide in your hearts.

Posted by: Chill Will | Jul 3, 2008 12:29:31 AM — Hey stupid … did the Africans teach the white man about slaver and the Dutch and European owed the boat that floated you here. You might to read some African history before you show your mental deficience.

I am not offended by what she sang,, but as I see it, this country has a single national anthem – the words are specifically related to this country.
I find that many black performers choose to have their own version of a song and their version is the “non white” version. They have always wanted equal rights and that is as it should be,, but I do not understand why they choose to be different in a vocal presentation. Its almost as if they do not wish to blend in with all the people in this country.
Its odd that some black performers prefer to emphasize the fact that they are black and hence do not wish to accept the equality that they have today. There is be a single national anthem,, not a white one and a black one,,, soon we will have an asian one, a Mexican one… etc.
I think she used poor judgment. There is one national anthem with words in it that have meaning as it relates to EVERYONE in this country.

I thought it was an interesting artistic expression. What I find outrageous are most of the comments in this blog. It’s a song, for heaven’s sake! We have a lot more to worry about than this, and we obviously have a lot more healing to do as a nation.

I think what she did was great. If you listen to the national anthem, it’s nothing but a poem of the beauty of the United States.
The lyrics come from a poem written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key and set to the music of a old British drinking song “To Anacreon in Heaven” so for everyone who is acting like the song is so sacred, be for real. The song didn’t become the national anthem until 1916.
“Lift Every Voice and Sing” written in 1900 and adopted in 1919 Calls for the U.S to ring with the harmonies of Liberty,” they could speak out subtly against racism and Jim Crow laws
Both songs commemorate what America truly is both Beautiful and Ugly, but it seems that too many people slept through history class and only believe that our
country has always been right.
For those who say go back to Africa, I say how can I go back to someplace I never been? Don’t be mad that Stolen Africans have some contempt, adverse feelings toward everyday treatment that
some will never understand, nor witness unless they were another color. Africans built this country, literally and yet still have the hardest time being treated “normal”, developing a culture,
an identity, something that alot of people will never understand.
You can’t fight hate with hate, if you want Africans in America to feel “American” then except us, for who we are, stop the police harassment, drugs in the community, crappy schools, redlining, unjust legal system, and then
we can all be free, because no one hates complaining about racism as much as the people receiving the ill treatment.
Read. People don’t let your ego stop you. Know your history, real history and you will uncover too many reasons to sing the “Black National Anthem”, cut the trash so one day we can all be friends while being ourselves. I’m soo tired of elitist comments like those above, we couldn’t live one day without the contributions of African Americans, there might not even have been the America that we see today if it wasn’t for us. Peace and Love everybody :)

The lyrics were in very bad taste. She knows it as well does the rest of the world. She should apologize and be forced to pay everyone who had to endure her untimely ditty………..reparations. It’s only fair. Don Imus and I would expect nothing less.

I am all for expressing yourself. But this was an outrage! America is to be one, not individual ethnic groups. That is our National Anthem. It is to be repected and honored.

It’s really not an outrageous thing for an artist to use the music from one song and the lyrics from another in one tune. Since we live in the country we do live in, she has every right to express herself in whatever way she sees fit. I don’t see how this is disrespectful to the country or the Anthem. It’s not like she was singing about torturing POWs and praising Kim Jong Il to the tune of the Star Spangled Banner.

Wrong place, wrong time, and came across as racist as the Klu Klux Klan in reverse. Why is it that blacks can never seem to get over their own past of being slaves when their own color sold them off in the first place.
We are all Americans now and there is only one Nation Anthem.

What this singer did in no way helps relations between races, but rather drives more of a wedge between them. She was wrong to have been asked to sing the national anthem & then decide on her own to sing her song. We need to learn better how to live with each other instead representing one viewpoint when the assembly was for all races. Her singing should have reflected that. By the way it hurts me when singers at public events do sing the words of the Star Spangled Banner & yet do not use the right tune. Let’s all get back to the patriotic way of flying the flag & singing the national anthem.

To Robert Fisher:
Well said.

The supremists will be outraged. I beleive in freedom of speech.. however, there is a time and a place for it. I think that we’ll be hearing alot more outbursts like this IF Obama is elected.. What she did was wrong. It’s our national anthem… OUR National Anthem.. It’s what she was selected to sing.. it is what she should have sang. This outburst of seperatism is what will continue to keep our nation divided. ONE NATION UNDER GOD.. ONE SONG TO SUPPORT THAT!!

TO FRED and BRADinMICH:
Yes, Brad — my comment was directed to you. And to comment further — the Roseanne Barr (SP?) incident, as another writer correctly pointed out, is real proof that it wasn’t her color that was any outrage at all. It would have been fantastic if she had sang the Anthem. But she just spat on it — which is pretty much what Barr did. (And as a comedian, was should she have been protected under the First Amendment argument. I don’t think so — she should have treated it with respect, too, or simply declined the request to sing the Anthem.
And to Fred: My apologies, sir.

This is only an outrage to the outrageous. The Star Spangled Banner NEVER was an inclusive song, who does it uplift. What do the words truly reflect. It is the national anthem because the powers that be made that decision, not the people of the nation. We have been indoctrined/brainwashed to revere the song. Lift every voice is a song of the people of this nation. Take time to check youselves and the lyrics before one calls a foul because a BLACK WOMAN not a WHITE MALE shows some true spirit and liberation. It was not DEFAMATION – more DEFINITION OF INSPIRATION>
What does this have to do with Mr. Obama???!!!

She had no respect for those that asked her to sing. She knew it wasn’t right and that’s why she did it unexpectedly. Definitely the wrong way to get across a message in my books. I say it was an outrage, and was she utterly out of line. It’s time to be an American and not worry about being black or white!! Until that ever happens, we will will have to keep listening to the poor me stories.

It’s not that deep!
She was being creative and speaking out of the black american experience which is different due the continued discriminaiton we face. She was proud of the progress of america and oboma’s primary election accomplishments.
I think most black americans feel more american than ever before due to being marginalized in the economic and political process.
I agree, can’t we just get along.
Nobody’s changing the national anthem.
I am black and more american than anyone white. This country was built on my black slave ancestors. I have white blood from my white slaveholder ancestry. I have indian blood which was slaughter by white people. Don’t get it twisted I am not deluting my african ancestry. I look black and love it.
I AM AMERICAN. I am proud that we finally starting to be treated like one instead of an ugly stepchild—WHITE AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stop acting like you don’t understand the continuing mistreatment of black american. Stop being so fearful and angry when we express out discontentment or joy.
get over it.

Regina,
Let me get my violin out… Get over it – I didn’t hurt anyone, nor did my parents or grandparents. What happened before that – I can’t take credit or responsibility for. Quit being a victim. That’s the WHOLE problem… Nobody owes you sh…
If a white woman pulled something like she did – Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton would be all over it.
Put your big girl panties on and DEAL WITH IT@!

If you really have the desire to feel sorry for a people remember the Natives that were here well before any Europeans and Blacks. They are the ONLY ones who were treated so badly. As for making this a political thing, welcome to an election year…all is fair. And lastly if you want a BLACK president vote for JC Watts!!

Same goes to you Julie, go live in another country and express yourself and see what happens. you will be in a prison getting raped everyday. Not that you would mind that, with your attitude, that’s probably the only way you will find love.

I am conflicted by this subject. I sing both anthems with pride and patriotism but I think she may have crossed the line by combining them. That is my only criticism because I celebrate diversity daily. I think it is racist to associate every expression of African American pride as racist. If we are anything other than Native American we all migrated from somewhere other than the United States of America and each group celebrates our heritage in our own way. Why is it when blacks choose to celebrate our African heritage it is racist. After all this is America. I live in Michigan and periodically when our world champion Red Wings play we sing both the American National Anthem and the Canadian National Anthem here in Michigan and no one is offended. When Pope John Paul visited Hamtramck Michigan a hub for Polish Americans both the American National Anthem and the Polish National Anthem were sang back to back. I live in a predominate Jewish community and they sing both, I have attended ecumenical services and prayers have been prayed in Hebrew, Swahili, English, Aramaic, Arabic etc………….
The greatest insult to the American National Anthem was when Rosanne sang it. Having said all of that, I do not think is that this young woman should have taken creative liberties with any National Anthem the American and the Black National Anthem.
FYI… Obama is the quintessential American he embodies both White America and a Black America……Including him in this subject is an absolute expression of racism…….

I literally live on the Black and White Line in Upper Darby Pa. It is abulutley clear that a majority of Black Americans are taught to hate America. Example. The trash they throw on the ground. The love of bad behavior such as, .not wearing school uniform properly. Everyday thousand s of young mothers in the Philly area walking with their children and cell phone to their ears. Every weekend a child is shot here and the descriptions of the actor are the same. Black male, long white tee-shirt, Baggy dark jeans, and in the winter it’s a Black male with a dark hoodie. We call this the Baby Killer uniform. Why would a parent and child dress like a Baby Killer. The hoodie is used to hide your face. Gangster started driving with the car seat reclined so they would not identified or shot. Why would a man or women copy this behavior. It is a collective multi generational hate for America and White Folk. Tonight in the Philadelphia area there a thousands of kids running around after curfew. Some will die tonight. I can here gun shots as I type this. Remember this, Rap music is good, Saying MF is good, throw trash is good, school is bad, Weed is good. Wearing large fake earrings is good. Dressing your kids like a Baby Killer is Very Good.

This is definitely a disgrace. I am totally disgusted! When things like this “black anthem”, “black broadway” or the “black miss America pageant” comes along, it really makes me think long and hard about who I’m going to vote for come November. I think black people are the most vocally racist ethnic group in our country and no one says anything about it.

It was not an artist thing, it was a black thing. She was not invited to sing the Black National Anthem, so it’s an outrage. It was racial and discriminating. We the people need to be very cautious and united on election day!!

Why insert the words to a non-national anthem into the actual music of the national anthem if this is not a “protest” against America. If we want a United States that is not divided so that we will not fall, our leaders and performers need to pomote that unity. That is not a stand for uniformity. Its a statment that in all of the various modes of living here in this country, we are all Americans. If she doesn’t like the vision of a unified America, and wants to make a point, she is free to do it, but I think she was asked to perform the National Anthem for the benefit of all of those listening to continue being part of the UNITED STATES not some distorted view of it.
I think she needs to apologize to those who hired her and those who were in ear shot. But most importantly she needs to learn how to unite the diverse community we live in and not work to divide it.

Not acceptable. What kind of example is she TEACHING THE CHILDREN of the UNITED States of America?? The National Association for Music Education, the “National Anthem Project:Restoring America’s Voice” just celebrated Flag Day with more than a 1,000 children from across our country singing “The Star Spangled Banner,” our NATIONAL anthem, at the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial near the U.S. Capitol Building. MENC, the Music Educator National Conference, founded this project to re-teach Americans the National Anthem. In 2004, when this project first started, two out of three Americans did not know the words to the anthem. Babara Greer, president-elect of MENC (2004)stated,”As America grows more diverse, learning the music of our history and our country is an important way to bind us all together as Americans.” As a music educator, this is the anthem I teach in my music classrooms. Not every black American was a son or daughter of a slave; not every Jew was a son or daughter of a prisoner of Hilter’s camps. Many ethic people suffer hate crimes. Yes, we have to learn not to repeat these horrible times in history but we can not teach our children to hate because of hatred that may be hidden in us or this cycle will never be broken. Children learn from adults. THIS WAS NOT A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR CHILDREN.

We are Americans, we consist of Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Italian Americans and even Polish Americans. We are Americans with one National Anthem with one set of words. Don’t like it- to bad- get over it and accept it! We are ONE NATION UNDER G O D
GOT IT! If you have any questions go back to 1st grade and start over! History People! For goodness sake
everyone wants to wag their tail and get attention. Do something worth while with your time instead of making problems where they didn’t exist. Harmony!
This woman was out of line and inconsiderate of others who are not Black! Get over it lady- your American! Yet if we call you black you’d hoot to no end! You got attention and from what I read hear- you lost honey! Good luck getting a sponsor for your next gig!

I’m a girl in New York, staying up late with some gummy bears. (lol)Not that anyone would care. But I feel awkward and in need of chaning what I said before. Now that I actually read what everyone had written I realize that this blog isnt very helpful is it? I mean we get to know how everyone feels, but then what? What’s going to put out the fire? Because something new is just bound to fuel the fire. Everyone deep down inside, what do you really care about? We are the UNITED States of America. (At least we are suppose to be.) I question we’re we ever really united? If we were, what changed? We are so overly focused on certain matteres… we lost our base. We are suppose to support each other and solve greater matters, not harm each other or put more pain to the hurt.

Get over it – it’s just a song. No harm done. I’m more worried about someone with a wayward attitude getting their hands on the nuclear button — someone like George W. Obama. The artists can have the songs, just keep the politicians away from creative options.
========================================
Who do the zombies support? I know whose name popped in your head.
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I’m having trouble understanding why the person who posted this article, would add leading on statements after the question to infiltrate people minds who are reading this article on how to judge Ms Marie stance on what anthem she sung. Why not just leave it at the question! I think she felt this might be her only opportunity to express her feeling,on her views of being a black woman in America!An attempt to strive to make a change for women of color.

As an African-American, I am appalled that the singer chose the Black National Anthem instead of the Star Spangled Banner. I am proud of both songs and what they represent. The Star Spangled Banner represents all Americans without regard to race, creed or color. The Black National Anthem represents our history. She only stirred up controversy. It was not the proper venue. So now she will have her 15 minutes of fame.Judging by some of the comments here, it was as I suspected–some people will find a way to blame the Obama campaign which will be a shame. That is not what the best of America represents.

I was never racist, till “these people” keep throwing the “race card” in my face, DAILY!! Get over it!! My family were imigrants too, and help set the “Blacks, Negroes, People of color” or what it is you want to be called today, FREE. Knock it off!! I am the most OPPRESSED in this country today, being a Honorably Discharged, white, disabled vet!!! Shut up, take the Grants this Gov. WON’T give me, and collect! But for the love of coutry, SHUT UP!!!

I was never racist, till “these people” keep throwing the “race card” in my face, DAILY!! Get over it!! My family were imigrants too, and help set the “Blacks, Negroes, People of color” or what it is you want to be called today, FREE. Knock it off!! I am the most OPPRESSED in this country today, being a Honorably Discharged, white, disabled vet!!! Shut up, take the Grants this Gov. WON’T give me, and collect! But for the love of coutry, SHUT UP!!!

I am dam sick and tired of the low life scum that are slowly destroying this country. And the dam shame of it is that all of our leaders, all of the people who are in power allow this crap to go on and are a big part of it all. WE ARE NO LONGER A NATION UNDER GOD. WE ARE NO LONGER A NATION WITH A FLAG. WE ARE NO LONGER A NATION WITH A SONG. How can it be that the people of this GREAT COUNTRY be so blind as to allow these terrorist acts against it.
WE ARE NO LONGER A NATION WITH RESPECT.
IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A TERRORIST ACT TO DISRESPECT ANY OF THE THREE THINGS THAT THIS COUNTRY STANDS FOR OR WAS MADE ON. END OF STORY…

What does Obama have to do with this incident? Nothing.
But, this incident was deceptive and she lied and misrepresented what she was going to do.
That is exactly what Obama is doing to the American public. It is easy to make the connection.

Robert Fisher, you must be an Obama supporter. just wait until if he is given the opportunity to raise your taxes, which you will find a way not to pay. You know the Democrats promised change 2 years ago when they received the majority in the house and congress, Now look where we are, you are all suckers, and you will be the first to complain about your financial constraints. Think about that.

It is an outrage. No one asked her to express how she felt as a black woman in the United States of America! It is ludicrous! If someone of any other race and/or gender had been asked, would you expect such a person to change the lyrics to our National Anthem and sing other lyrics to express how they felt as, say, an Asian man or a Caucasian woman living in the U.S.A.? She had been asked to sing our National Anthem, an anthem which unites all citizens of the U.S.A.

yall had a 400 year head start, and your anthem is about killing and war, this country was build on racism, lies, tricks, broken treaties, murder rape, you all are a bunch of war mungers, so vote for mccain and continue on your bloody path, and your children will suffer for your sins,you people have inflicted on this planet in the name of your “white Jesus”. Your anthem sucks! leave it in the history books along with your confederate flag, Write a new anthem about how everyody is equal here, and how everyone is welcome as long as they are willing to do the lawn and cook your food.

The Johnson brothers, James Weldon and Rosamond, wrote the song, “Lift Every Voice And Sing,” in 1900 to honor President Lincoln’s birthday “Lift Every Voice and Sing” was first performed in public in 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.
This song is a birthday celebration of one of America’s greatest presidents, President Abraham Lincoln. Ms. Rene Marie instead sang a song that originally was written to honor President Lincoln. It was later adopted as the “Black National Anthem”.
I am just amazed that more Americans do not realize the origins of this great American song honoring President Lincoln. We celebrate President Lincoln’s birthday with the holiday, President’s Day. President Lincoln’s image on U.S. currency and Mount Rushmore. “Lift Every Voice And Sing” is not a song exclusively for African Americans but for every American.
People can be disappointed that Ms. Rene Marie did not sing the agreed upon song but they should have been educated enough to realized that the selection she chose did honor an American icon, President Abraham Lincoln.
D. Thomas
Washington, DC

To GWK:
Should we also be thrown in jail or killed for having an opinion that different from yours? Does American freedom exist with your opinion? Was this really a “terrorist act”?

What Jimi Hendrix did with the national anthem was artistic improvisation. He didn’t change anything; he just… added something.
What she did was grossly disrespectful of America’s most symbolic and important song.

TO ANON:
I really liked your comment. I wish there were more in the black community that would share opinions like yours.
It is a shame, too, that her completely outrageous and inappropriate behavior will be blamed on Obama.
But when we have racist comments from the likes of Spike Lee (“chocolate” comments) and incidents like this — it sheds a poor light on the black community overall. Not so much because of the actions or comments of a few idiots, but from the lack of negative feedback to them from the rest of the community.
And so, it is refreshing and reassuring to see comments like yours.

Nightline may be very sorry they asked this question. I don’t know about others, but it inflamed me. Who in the heck does she think she is?
I suspect poor old Obama will not be so happy about this.
VOTE McCain ’08!

It was an outrage!Her conduct displays a rebellious spirit which is likened to witchcraft. Witchcraft tries to control and manipulate had selfish motives at the bottom of her intention to accomplish her own agenda! I was disgusted and thought it was a hideous move on her part.

I am biracial (Irish and African-American heritage) and I do understand how Rene felt the need to sing what to her is her Anthem. This country has not progressed as much as we would like to think. Until you have experience racial profiling, watch family member be followed by a store or mall security for no apparent reason, or judged by many Americans that we-African American do not have the ability to understand where a political candidate stands on the issues and who will best represent us and our views and our hope for this country. What happen in Denver will continue to happen. I am proud to be an American however I am just as proud to be a granddaughter of a sharecropper

While it may have been inappropriate to substitute the words of the national anthem, it doesn’t rise to the level of high treason. It might have been better for her to ask if she could sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” prior to the national anthem. Having said that, the jazz artist didn’t descrate the national anthem either. Instead she chose the words of a worthy substitute. For those who don’t know, the song originally called the “Negro National Anthem” was written by James Weldon Johnson to honor the memory of President Abraham Lincoln. Read them below:
‘THE NEGRO NATIONAL ANTHEM’
Lift every voice and sing
Till earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the listening skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us,
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun
Let us march on till victory is won.
Stony the road we trod,
Bitter the chastening rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat,
Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears have been watered,
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,
Out from the gloomy past,
Till now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.
God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who has brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who has by Thy might
Led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, Our God, where we met Thee;
Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;
Shadowed beneath Thy hand,
May we forever stand.
True to our GOD,
True to our native land. (America)

Kudos for Rene’s creativity. The melody to our national anthem was borrowed from a church hymn and has several more verses than the Oh, Say can you see… with which we are familiar. I remember the controversy with Jimi Hendrix’ and Jose Feliciano’s renditions. This is just the latest tempest in that restrictive teapot.
I hope she gets to sing it as the second verse to the national anthem at Obama’s inaugural ceremony.

frances scott key was a punk, he made that song up after he smoked a joint with some soldiers, that had got drunk and missed the battle

I was born in Brazil and my family moved to the USA in the early 60′s. I am proud to be from Brazil, but much prouder of my adopted country. So proud, we fly the American Flag every day. My older brother served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam and I in the U.S. Air Force. I will defend this country with my life. I do not have to agree with every single decision made, but no matter what – I WILL SUPPORT THIS COUNTRY TO THE END.
Now for the subject at hand. I have plenty of Black friends (sorry, i’m old school) whom I love dearly. But I am tired of all these “African-Americans” that do everything possible to promote separitism in this country. BET, Miss Black America, strickly Black Colleges, Black Gay Pride, Freaknik etc., etc.
What would happen if we changed the word from Black to White? Can you just imagine? Talk about a New York second, Sharpton and all his separist goons would be all over it. People like Imus, are idiots. The fact that he is white, does not change the fact that he is an idiot first. Sharpton loves Imus as this is how he makes his multi-millions. $4000 suits, million dollar homes, limos, private security, all for creating fear and hate of White Americans.
I see the future of all races and religions intermingling, getting married, living next door. Simply as Americans… The “leaders” of Black Americans today are forcing more and more separatism. This is exactly opposite of the beliefs and leadership of the great Martin Luther King Jr., the only true leader of Black Americans. Remember? He looked over the mountain…the famous “I’ve been to the Mountaintop” speech. Do the Black Americans kids of today have ever listened to this speech. Sharpton was there, Jesse Jackson was there – unfortunately neither want to remember, because they would be out of business…

JWood: i dont hear you anymore boy!! come on with your address!! im waiting. we all are waiting! (with the banana clips)

Damn, Look back at the little race riot going on in here… People getting all red neck and people wanting to get a peice of someone all over voicing opinions and exercising their freedom of speech.. My skin is white (kinda) but my blood is red just like everyone else’s. Put it simply… She was hired to sing OUR RECOGNIZED NATIOANL ANTHEM.. “THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER” The song about OUR flag.. Not the one written to UPLIFT anyone to celebrate Lincoln’s birthday.. If anyone can sing anything they want when they are hired to sing a SPECIFIC song… maybe you’d all be happy if you paid to see a Toby Keith or Madonna Concert and they sang BARNEY songs? Oh.. Damn.. that would be a slam on Purle People wouldn’t it?

Unfortunate. She was hired for a specific performance. I feel the song is beautiful and meaningful…just unprofessional on her part.

I think people should be more offended by people that walk around, talk, eat, drink soda, look at their cell phones during the national anthem.
This was simply an expression of art. I don’t think people get offended seeing a tattered flag at a business, or seeing it made into shorts for someone.

So simple, she was hired to sing The National Anthem, not some trashy black jazz tune. How dare her! She should have been escorted off stage in the middle of that hideous performance. It is stunts such as this that result in th N word beng used with greater frequency. These stunts by Black people will not help them, rather they will help to ensure Sen. John McCain is elected president next November.

Chill Will:
I’ve reported you to authorities – you should log out now.

This is one country, one nation, one people. This is America for all, and being an American, you sing our National Anthem. If you don’t have respect for your own country, leave. This type of thinking is what causes problems. She owes this country an apology.

It doesn’t bother me if someone wants to innovate with the Star Spangled Banner. It is sung so many ways already, that different words do not matter to me. Sometimes we need a change.

THIS IS FABULOUS… This crazy woman did us all a HUGE favor. It’s an election year and this will really hurt Obama.
Gee too bad.

This is crazy. I am so sick of hearing how much better white people have it. We are not all born into privilege. Actually, in shear numbers, there are MORE poor white people than black. The difference is that we don’t complain about it. If we aren’t where we want to be, we do something different and only blame ourselves not some other group of random strangers. I grew up poor, no slave owners in my family. I was the only one in my family to graduate and the only one to get a college degree, and I did it all without any special scholarships. I treat African Americans with respect until they disrespect me, so where do people like her get off? People like this woman only perpetuate hate. Maybe she is afraid she will be held accountable for her own actions if she can’t blame someone else. People like her should be shunned by the black community. Have all of the black people out there who think that white people hate them ever stopped to ask themselves why? It’s not because they are black, it’s because they act like a$$es.

this dont have S**T TO DO WITH OBOAMA YOU REDNECK CRACKER. TEXAS PUB!!!!!!!

I like the way the african/americans and the obama supporters are practically pleading for this to not be a reflection on him. Don’t worry, the guy’s the teflon candidate so far – nothing sticks to him. Wait till after the conventions, though, and see what happens then. yahomos

to chill will
1245 w. 185
new york

Hail 2 WABC NEWS FOR EXCITING TROUBLE , AND Diversion….. U CAN CLEARLY SEE THE KKK’S RESPONSE NOW !!!!!!!! WOW …….

n o me.. SPELL CHECK.. We’re all kept in ledgers like cattle. Black, white and “OTHER”… Fact is, We’re all stuck in this box.. And as far as I know, there are NO SLAVES here now.. So get over the “forced to be here” crap or get OUT. I am sure that Africa will take you back.. NOT! Zimbabwe is looking for more people to litter thier streets.. GO THERE.. This is The United States of America.. OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM IS “THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER.. Sing it right or get the hell out!! HOW FRIGGIN HARD IS THAT?

Easy: “The song was created as a beacon of hope and inspiration for people who were not afforded the same rights as the majority population.” You’d better sing fast, because the Hispanics are going to be the majority REAL soon. The whites, blacks and Asians are all going to be minorities. You get over YOURself with the ‘same opportunities as the majority’ bit. I’m tired of hearing that. All the women in this grand country were ‘not given the same opportunities as (the ‘majority’ of) men. Many, if not 99%, STILL aren’t. Did Hillary break the ‘glass ceiling’? Heck no. Whoever thinks she did is probably a man. First the crazed preacher, now the out of control guest. My vote is sealed in cement. We need to bring some sanity back.

JWood: Here come the Black Sheets!!!

Isn’t “outrage” a little strong, children? How important was this really in the grand scheme of things? I’m white and I have no problem with it whatsoever. Nor did I have a problem with the black power salute at the 1968 Olympics. Get over yourselves, all you white pampered superficial “patriots”. Go visit a black disabled veteran at your nearest VA hospital, and maybe you’ll actually learn something.

Bravo! I believe she should do an encore performance.
After reading some of the comments posted,I’m reminded that there will always be a certain segment of the population that will remain racist and ignorant!
Does it even matter that many of our African-American brothers & sisters have fought for centuries (and some even died)to defend our nation in wars …and you say go back to Africa???
Get and Island?? How dare you!
For thoes of you who are so outraged…GET OVER IT!!! You have managed to use this as just another opportunity to spew your venum of racial hatred!! Until you walk a mile in an African-American’s shoes (even in this century) You will never understand us – nor do you have the right to judge us!
Barbara

This doesn’t have anything to do with black vs white!!!!!!!!!!!
She was asked to sing The National Anthem. She didn’t do what was requested of her. PERIOD……
END OF DISCUSSION……………

I am not offended or outraged…those strong emotions should be saved for things like violence and murder. I do however wonder why it is ok for her to sing about being a black woman in America. If I had sung about being a white woman in America I would have been accused of political incorrectness or insensitivitity at best and racism at worst. The argument is always made that I do not know what it is like to be a black woman in this country. I do not know what it is like to be the mother from Vermont who just lost her 12 year old daughter to what may be a member of her own family, but that does not prevent me from feeling empathy for her. Truly, no one knows what it is like to be anyone else in this world. I do not judge anyone on this earth on anything except the quality their character and I would not associate myself with anyone who does. It is my humble opinion that racism in this and any country will NEVER disappear until we ALL stop pointing out how we are all different. If I were hired to paint your house green and I painted it blue, you could sue me for failure to complete my job. This woman will probably suffer no consequences for her actions even though she did not do the job for which she was hired because she is black and the beautiful city cannot be thought of as supporting racial bias.

To RLP in Texas and any other- you’re concerned about the country going down the toilet WHEN Mr. Obama becomes president. You are sooooooo deep in **it that you don’t recognize that Mr. Obama will have to spend a good part of his first term cleaning up the cesspool of mess left but his ooh so intelligent preditor.. oops predecessor.
ITS TIME FOR ALL OUT CHANGE. NATIONAL ANTHEM AND ALL!!!!!

This was an outrage and an embarrasment to the people of Denver. Whatever your personal preferences may be, you should not impose your preferences on unsuspecting citizens when you have made a commitment to sing our National Anthem. She should never be invited to perform at any City of Denver function again.

John W.
I am confused on why you specified they visit a black disabled veteran to learn something. Can they not visit a white disabled veteran or a Native American, Hispanic, etc? I volunteer at a VA hospital and I know how sad it is. They rarely have any visitors and for the most part are very lonely and feel forgotten….but I think you specifying it be someone who is black to the exclusion of other races hurt your argument instead of helping it. You are guilty of what you are accusing others of.

SHENA you are my spell check, you should go back the the frige and eat some more, I can see you are fat and in pain, pick up a real history book and learn about your sick racist country

I wonder how she justifies her complete lack of respect for her country, herself and as a singer for 15 minutes of fame. She obviously felt the need to make a personal statement. Her complete lack of remorse for her actions further demonstrate what pathetic excuse for an american woman she really is.

We’re one step closer to helter skelter because of racist stunts such as this ‘free spirit’ surprise of s(l)inging trash when and where she shouldn’t. For a race that has been downtrodden for so many decades one might think they would want to help relations and not hinder them. Looks like racism is strong on both sides of the tracks as much as ever. Idiots.

ok texas pub….. but with McCain nothing is going to change he is like a mini bush

TO MR OR MS. OMG !!!!!!!!!!!!!! ……. 4 U’R INFO ASS HOLE !
THERE IS ANOTHER ANTHEM ,*************************************************************************************************************” IT’S CALLED THE BLACK NATIONAL ANTHEM” !
YOU IDIOT ! RACIST , KKK PIG ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AND MY PEOPLE DON’T OWE YOU PEOPLE ” WHITE AMERICA A DAMN THING OMG !! OKAY %@& #**^%%% NOW READ THIS ….. CAN U FIGUE IT OUT?
IT MEANS : B”’H KISS OUR , F”"”‘N AZZZZZZZZZ

Please , Stop Black Tolerance. Black Tolerance is killing the Black community. No more justification for bad behavior.. Bad is Bad and Good is Good. Can the Black community please stand up for our county.

God Bless America and nobody else!!

WELL MAYBE WE SHOULD SPLIT THE COUNTRY…WE WOULDN’T HAVE THESE PROBLEMS IF IT WASNT FOR THE EUROPEANS. BLACK PEOPLE DIDNT CREATE THE RACE PROBLEM. THIS IS AN EUROPEAN INVENTION. NOW YOU GUYS WANT TO BITCH AND CRY BECAUSE YOU ALL CANT TELL US WHAT TO DO NO MORE.

Never not until the government apologize and give up the 40 acres and tracker , damn the mule!

Slaves did come from other places besides AFRICA. Also if you read your history book in full, you would find out that it was the African slave owners who SOLD THEIR PEOPLE in the first place. Life is A LOT EASIER here than in Africa. I know I lived it.

I guarantee you that President Obama will put his Rev. Wright on the Supreme Court and change our national language to ebonics. After 4 years we won’t be asking for change, we’ll be AXEING for change.

Half of you so called americans don’t even know all the words to the national anthem. So grab a books and try to get the words down pack before you try to talk about this lady.

wellllllllll now ill bet b.hussein obama had his hand over his heart for this one….weeeeeeeel it is denver…rev. wrights choir girl..this thing is out of hand..can only wait to convention…all hugs and kisses..annie oakley style…

Euro’s look at your history, you wrote it, look at all the stuff yall have done, there is going to be hell to pay. Crystal meth is go get ya, Keep your women away from our men, if you dont the black super sperm is going to bred you off the planet in less than 100 years, well maybe that is a good thing? then maybe racism will fade to black

Americans need to understand and not be so liberally blind and full of guilt that they think “oh what’s the big deal?” Get Real! This is the tip of the iceburg! Like MD said, we don’t play together and my experience has been that the most racist people in America are African Americans. They hate on everyone, Whites, Asians, Mexicans, all other races and themselves, high yellow. Their same old tired “poor is me, not black like me, couldn’t have experienced anything like me” Well guess what discrimination is everywhere, what is killing America is Rich Folk look down their noses on all the rest of us and scam and cheat their way out of paying taxes. I prepared taxes this last tax season for a boutique accounting firm and if I processed one, I processed 200 rich folks taxes, that got back 5,000.00 and more and more and paid no taxes because they write everything off and know how to do and get away with it. It has always been the difference between the haves and the have-nots, white, black or purple. I am white and worked for a Jewish man who looked down his nose at me because I didn’t curse. I wouldn’t say God, I would say Gosh instead and it burned him up and I hope he burns in H for all of the injustice he served upon me and the other poor white people that slaved away for him.

We are not Bitching,We are sending a loud message. Get it together Black America. If my Black neighbor is doing well, then so am I. We want Black America to do well. Just get it together, soon !!

she don’t have to say sorry for anything

Geez, Chill Will, jwood and Yolanda – calm down already. You guys definitely need to lay off the caffeine so late at night!

Black people are not the only race to suffer in this country’s history. There are many other races that have suffered also. So should all the other races that have been discriminated against also make their OWN national anthems too? We are one country, made of many different nations. The one race that has been here longer than any other race are the Native Americans.

IF OBAMA DOES NOT GET ELECTED THEN THIS COUNTRY IS GOING TO HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM. VERY SERIOUS PROBLEMS. THE THINGS YOU SEE ON THE NEWS ABOUT OTHER COUNTRIES FIGHTING FOR INDEPENDENCE, JUSTICE AND EQUALITY WILL BE BROUGHT TO OUR FRONT DOOR. IF HE DOES NOT GET ELECTED I DO NOT WANT TO LIVE UNDER WHAT WE CALL THE UNITED STATES. BLACK PEOPLE WILL DECLARE THEIR OWN STATE AND BE RECOGNIZED BY THE WORLD.

IT was totally wrong on what she did. She should have sung what she was asked to and not what she wanted.

I am not sure if she thinks she is an Obama supporter. This event has the potential to do damage to Obama’s campaign.
Why? Symbols are simply that, symbols….and humans have a tendency to place great weight and emotion on symbols. The National Anthem is a symbol….of patriotism.
She has backed Mr. Obama in to an untenable corner. No matter what side he falls on regarding this event, he loses.
Unless he calls it for what it really is…..an error of human arrogance. Arrogance on her part that allowed her to believe that her position, her feeling of rightness, justified misrepresentation.
Misrepresentation is rarely, if ever, an admirable or effective behavior.

justvote08……. im an african american….. and you dont know me homie….. and the name is Dominick get it right!!!1

never apologize, the outrage is this forum is stupid , and now I will sleep and wake up and spew more hatred, but my white coworkers think I am so great, If they only knew how much of my infectiuos spit is spewed on their food daily.

. . it is an out rage. It used to be an honor to be asked to sing the Nation’s Anthem. I think she or any one should express that freedom , else where.

I’m white and I’d love to see J.C. Watts as president. He is a GREAT guy.

WOW – scary racism on display here tonight – I thought this was 2008, not 1922. On the professional level, that group probably won’t hire her again. But I bet she gets a bigger audience, and she deserves it – she’s a brave artist. America is the Home of the Brave! More power to her!

n o me said:
“never apologize, the outrage is this forum is stupid , and now I will sleep and wake up and spew more hatred, but my white coworkers think I am so great, If they only knew how much of my infectiuos spit is spewed on their food daily.”
WOW. Sure am glad I don’t work with any black folk.

I literally live on the Black and White Line in Upper Darby Pa. It is abulutley clear that a majority of Black Americans are taught to hate America. Example. The trash they throw on the ground. The love of bad behavior such as, .not wearing school uniform properly. Everyday thousand s of young mothers in the Philly area walking with their children and cell phone to their ears. Every weekend a child is shot here and the descriptions of the actor are the same. Black male, long white tee-shirt, Baggy dark jeans, and in the winter it’s a Black male with a dark hoodie. We call this the Baby Killer uniform. Why would a parent and child dress like a Baby Killer. The hoodie is used to hide your face. Gangster started driving with the car seat reclined so they would not identified or shot. Why would a man or women copy this behavior. It is a collective multi generational hate for America and White Folk. Tonight in the Philadelphia area there a thousands of kids running around after curfew. Some will die tonight. I can here gun shots as I type this. Remember this, Rap music is good, Saying MF is good, throw trash is good, school is bad, Weed is good. Wearing large fake earrings is good. Dressing your kids like a Baby Killer is Very Good.

Becky White,
I agree…JC Watts is great. I would vote for him for President also. Unfortunately, Obama is no JC Watts…. as much as I would love to see an African American President… I will be voting for McCain.

“baby killers in philly”….how about you keep your scary a*** in upper darby and dont come to the city. also, how about you ask ur government how does drugs and weapons get into the black communities. we damn sure didnt put them there.

I sing.. Use to do it for a living.. I sing everything from Elton John to Prince.. I love country.. I Really love the U.S.A. No better place on Earth.. A place where we can all sit in a circle and discuss something as idiotic as a fool that stood on a soap box and didn’t do what she was hired to do.. Aint it great?
When I sing, I sing it the way it was written.. So I don’t disrespect the original artist or song writer.. It’s called respect.. I’d be honored to sing the national anthem publicly.. If only I could do it and not be seen though… Then it wouldn’t matter if I was black or white… Again.. SHE SCREWED UP.. DON’T PAY HER AND DON’T BRING HER BACK TO SING AGAIN.. DUH!!!!!
Now I’m going for another spicy chipotle drumstick.. Anyone else want one?

B.M. Thomas,
Thank you, that is what everyone should do. READ. ASK. LEARN. I wish that truly was everyone’s motto.

Yolanda,
You are a trip.
So sad, too bad for Obama. This will get folks attention.
I think the race for president just took a major turn – and all because a woman in Denver couldn’t do what she was asked to do. Tsk, tsk…

This is an interesting situation which hopefully will create a dialogue and an understanding, not anger and hate. Let’s start by making it clear and simple. If she was INVITED to sing the National Anthem and decided WITHOUT PERMISSION to change the WORDS, no matter how admirable it might be it was not good judgement. I understand what she was trying to do and the positive message she was attempting to connect ( both songs are about our sometimes turbelent history and struggles that were endured, by the people that make up our unique nation) but it was at the wrong place and time. The song ” Lift Every Voice and Sing” is also referred to as the “National Black Anthem” not the ” So- Called National Black Anthem” ( writing it in this manner might be look upon as being demeaning). Injecting anger and throwing verbal daggers at this will not create an understanding, but only more division.

Yikes, Yolanda! I repeat – caffeine this late at night is making you goofy. Go to bed – you’re no longer making any sense!

That was outragrous. This is exactly why some blacks are disliked in America. If they don’t want to be part of our wonderful heritage then go someplace else.

I (too) have a dream, that I will one day live in a land, where I’ll not be judged by the (lack of) color in my skin, but by the content of my character. I’m white… while I recognize that many black people in this country DO NOT feel as this woman does, why are there so many that do…. Why am I, simply because of MY skin color, painted as a racist. Why can’t this woman recognize that there are (not so skinny) white boys like me, who are truly disgusted by the way we, as members of the human family, treat each other. True racism is a travesty… please don’t sink to the level of racist to further your own cause. Let us sing together, as one, united, nation under God…

She has the right to sing anything she wants, if she were in a field by herself. Otherwise stick to the actual words. Unbelievable. Someone should have turned the mic off.

eyes like summer sun,
To put it simply, youre right.

JonD (Now that’s more like it!) wrote:
“As an African-AMERICAN myself and a war veteran, I truly believe she was wrong, wrong, wrong. This display of self pride was completely out of line. To alter the American National Anthem is as disgraceful and Un-American as burning our flag.”
Burning the flag is the proper disposal method.

I, Too, Sing America
Langston Hughes
——————————————————————————–
I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.
Tomorrow,
I’ll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody will dare
Say to me,
“Eat in the kitchen,”
Then.
Besides,
They’ll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed–
I, too, am America.

According to the FBI crime statistics 82% of the USA’s violent crime, murder, rape, assault, etc is caused by blacks. I am hoping I will be around when America finally has enough and puts a bounty out for blacks. My guns are cleaned and ready!!!

Joe Horn wrote:
“Burning the flag is the proper disposal method.”
Thank you this is true. However, in the context of my statement her act was WRONG!

Bill said:
“According to the FBI crime statistics 82% of the USA’s violent crime, murder, rape, assault, etc is caused by blacks. I am hoping I will be around when America finally has enough and puts a bounty out for blacks. My guns are cleaned and ready!!!”
We can’t shoot them with dirty guns?

To Jean, if you’re still reading:
As long as you ask, I grew up in Philly, in a mixed neighborhood, went to mixed public schools, and have *ahem* dated every color of woman that exists. Too much information? So what exactly is your point? An artist sings a song and now I should start hating/fearing everyone that doesn’t look like me? That’s dumb. Oh, and by the way, Jimi Hendrix’s version of the song provoked great OUTRAGE (!!!!) when he performed it (I remember) – but now we understand HE WAS A GREAT ARTIST AND HIS SONG WAS GREAT ART. How about Jasper Johns’ Flag painting that hangs at MoMa in NYC? Does it outrage you or is it great art?

James M wrote:If this had occured in the Great State of Texas, this woman singing her song….not to be confused with Our National Anthem….would have been drowned out by the crowd singing “THE” National Anthem to the top of our lungs.”
Somehow I don’t think a bunch of crazy Texicans trying to belt out the words to the Star Spangled Banner would’ve sounded any better than this.
“

do i hear a mexican racist in the room,maybe next election we can have a pre. elect who is a catholic..with a name so long you cant get it on the ballot…you gotta remember they stick together also..they vote also..so do jews puerto ricans italians and some from places i dont think are countries.we all got here some way except the indians,stop your whining,this is a great country just ask the people who are trying to get in..oh yes cubans dont feel left out someone will bring your name up next..gracias

This is another action that Americans will see if Obama is elected President. The delibarate action to choose this song is a small indication of what will happen if Obama becomes President, blacks will 1)feel that they can act out their frustrations (whether warranted or not) in any manner they feel regardlesss of what other non black Americans will interprete their actions to mean and 2) will feel empowered in any social or economic status to assume that they now have the trump card to justify these actions. America is in horrible shape because of how the Bush administration has put us in, with a candidate in Mccain that reaps of continued Bush disasterous policies and Obama who is not a bad choice for President, but not right because of the blackcommunites proven and anticipated actions

You racists here really irritate me. She’s not stupid because she’s black, she’s stupid because she’s a woman.

My sincere apology to Sheena, you are not crazy. Apparently Yolanda is the one that thinks is “all that and a bag of chips” … but the bag is full of fertilizer.

Bill wrote:
“Pack them all up and send them back to Africa then give their stuff to Mexicans who will at least work and not want everything free and feel like they are special.”
Yeah, but their “stuff” is all stolen. Shouldn’t it go back to the rightful owners?

The melody of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” is beautiful, there is no need to change it to the National Anthem’s melody. “Lift Every Voice and Sing” is not a Black National Anthem it is a song of unity for all Americans. Some 30 years ago we sang this song in school along with the National Anthem. “Lift Every Voice” give hope to poor little black children that were destined to despairing futures. How dare she change the melody of….. Lift Every Voice and Sing.

Pauly,
This has everything to do with Obama, and I am not a republican, but I am voting republican this year.
This is no different than everything with Bill affecting Hillary. How silly of the Democratic old school folk not to realize that eventually Bill would make a joke of Hillary and would have no respect as a result. My local radio stations had jokes daily about Hillary & Bill. It made me sick, but what made me sicker was that she was silly enough and her supporters did not have the foresight to see that people were not going to publically say why they were not voting for her. Everyone I knew wasn’t voting for her because we didn’t want Bill back in the Oval Office. Within the first year we would have been faced with ridicule and his behavior would have always been suspect.
So that’s why this is affecting Obama. It’s like poor Jimmy Carter had to deal with his goofy brother Billy Beer Bob.
All you bleeding heart liberals, which I used to be, need to quit listening to your own beautiful rhetoric and tune in to reality. I was forced to. If Obama is elected, everyone else will be forced into reality too.

I totally miswrote that I meant that in Africa, people are killed for protesting in any way. We are simply lucky we dont have the same fate. Just saying we are sooo fortunate…

to: Ever hear of assimilation? (“White Entertainment Channel”? Now wouldn’t that be ridiculous? Of course if would.)
W.E.T= Regular TV
Why is it that the majority of TV shows still belittle “minorities” to service jobs, and adverse treatment at the hands of the “majority”? Why are we alway portrayed as thugs, dumb, lazy, criminal, suspect or athletic, loyal, work horses, how contradicting? How can one be both? People are People, simple.
I like all people who don’t hurt me. Some people don’t like me before they ever met me. They know my “kind”. Many people say that racism doesn’t exist. I say it does on both sides, but you have to think if you was to pull a person out of this “melting pot” to be “all American” they would be brown no matter what, not. The “majority” has to get over their perceived supremacy, and the “minority” needs to escape the inferiority complex that they are brainwashed into having.
We all must realize that we are shaped by what the media feeds us, that you might not think you’re racist but plenty of people who feed you information might be. Race will only cease to be a issue when we realize that it is a social construct and that we are all the same.
And until we all break the mind set that allows us to place a stereotype on another person before we even talk to them, until tv shows look like real life and all the diversity it brings, and people start letting their guard down and befriending people with different ideas and embracing them. it will be a need for uplifting aimed at the oppressed and forgotten people.
You all might think that you know what it’s like to be African American, but ask yourself would you trade places? How about for 10 million dollars? I didn’t think so.

While I believe that this woman did a disservice to the ones whom trusted her to perform her craft, I think she may have don’t an even bigger disservice to Barack Obama. The last thing I would want to do if I was Mr. Obama is turn this election into black versus white. If some of the so called friends of Mr. Obama don’t watch out they will ignite and outrage people that were going to set this one out or those that don’t normally vote to unite in a race issue election. If you look at the demographics you will see that wouldn’t be a very good situation for a black candidate to be in. With the black population of America at around 13 percent it would be very hard to win a race only election. Do you really want to be at war for the next four years? I don’t.
We need to spend money on getting our country back on track instead of sending billions on billions over seas to fight wars we shouldn’t even be in.

BDS1906 None of those other cultures have a history of routinely whine’ing, complaining or sue’ing White people and the government over being discriminated against. There are no laws placing them into token jobs. Again, if you have ever worked in a predominantly black environment you might begin to understand the group thought behind this action and the thoughts expressed by some of the people here tonite.

Thinking about this long enough, Ive concluded:
Human beings are flawed…we’re silly people. Our problems are safe for now… We are allowed to broadcast anything we want, thanks to the interent. This issue with the singer is going to blow over and we’ll find something else to pick on and disect, TOGETHER. And when I look at it that way makes me feel more secure in being living part of America.

Yes, it was an outrageous thing to do. She was specifically asked to sing the National Anthem not the song of her choice, she agreed, and then didn’t follow through. That was not the forum to tell everyone her opinion of how she feels to be a black woman in this country.

Hey i think what she did was great she took a risks and look what the outcome is she has people in a outrange because she dicided to exercise her frist amendment right and now she is being ridiculed for it she must have felt that by her singing “lift every voice” she could empower somebody the song is hopeful its not like she got on television and disgrace herself by singing the lyrics of a rap song she choose to sing a song that uplift people sprits and one that african american peole used as a tool of comfort

Out of respect for the people attending the event and their expectations of a moment to relive their individual patriotism commitment during the national anthem, she should have sang the national anthem as scheduled. There is a time and place for everything and that was not it.

It’s a symbolic flipping. That’s not good, but if the man got away with flipping his own finger, is it really that bad?

I believe this is an outrage. An “artist” is truly an “artist” WHEN they create something of their own. How dare she take OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM and ‘create’ her own anthem. This is over the top an insult to me and all true Americans. Sing (or for us novices-attempt to sing) OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM as it is to be sung and if you can’t, sing something else!

I believe that the artist’s rendition was beautiful and creative, but at the wrong venue; at a civic function,the National Anthem should be sung.
That being said, although I am saddened by the negative comments posted regarding this topic, I support every bloggers’ freedom to express his/her own opinion. That is what is truly American. It’s more than just singing the National Anthem. It’s more than repeating the Pledge of Allegience. It’s more than wearing a pin or waving a flag. It’s about loving this country–inspite of its faults–and not having to compromise your individuality (and a knowledge of the past) in order to do so.
The “conversation” on this blog is reaffirming that although race relations have come far from the 1960′s(at least on paper), we still have a long way to go…

Look at all of these damned racists. Obama better start ducking…

What an outrage! I think most Americans would have been a TINY bit LESS outraged if she had pulled this stunt in the 50′s or 60′s. She could have found some other way to get herself in the spotlight!

As a Black American I think this is shameful demonstration of patriotism.
We are Americans b-4 we are black Americans. We have so much to be proud of and we do not need another National Anthem. We ask others to assemblaye, its about we do the same.

Lift every voice and sing….what you were asked to sing. Our national anthem is for everyone….united we stand – divided we fall. Nothing tops that message.

Sorry, musicians have immunity. Free speech, artistic expression. Enough said.

A total outrage, she was to sing the national anthem not a song of her choice.
Perhaps as things unfold McCain may be our only choice as this is just a window of what may be in the offing if the Dems win.
Oh yes, I am a demo. and was going to vote for their person. Not so sure anymore after the Wright deal and now this.

The singer was wrong. She was hired to sing the National Anthem. As an African American I understand her pride in the Black National Anthem. But she was not hired to sing the Black National Anthem. If she had been hired to sing the “happy birthday song”, she shouldn’t sing a version of it most people haven’t heard. If she didn’t want to sing the National Anthem, she shouldn’t have accepted the job. I wish we would take the Black/White issue out of it and realize this is a woman who doesn’t want to conform. It’s really not about “being Black in America”. It’s about doing what she wanted to do and wanting to pi_ _ people off. She succeeded. Just look at how racist people are being. This has nothing to do with Obama. She probably doesn’t even like Obama.

ps….stunts like this just give the racists and bigots more fuel. They already aren’t voting for a man because he’s of mixed race….this kind of stunt only serves to make them feel justified.

Outrage and disgraceful. Very typical of those more interested in their own personal agendas vs a belief in the United States, the most free and accepting country in the world. There are other forms of expression, not usurption of our National Anthem for the sake of national pride. For those feeling they dislike the United States so much, there are other places to live and it’s time for many to make that choice. It’s really a follow on re: some of the recent outrageous and disgraceful statements, beliefs and expressions, coming from our democratic candidate for President, his wife or their church. What should we expect?

Insulting and outrage! She complains about how hard it is to be a black women in America. She obvioulsy doesn’t know how much opportunity black women have in America. Let her go down to Zimbabwe for about a month! THIS is what divides and deteriorates the people in this country. Thanks.

What she did was an insult to the National Anthem and to every American. We are one country. Changing the words to the National Anthem making it only for one group of people in our country is promoting division in our country instead of unity.

to the lady wo offered the 10 million dollar,how high is the bid i have grandkids in college,no more sun for me okkkkkkkkk..and please remember,there is no hatred for color,oprah seems to like herself just the way she is,beautiful and rich,laughs all the way to the bank.just try to remember folks if we dont get a man to run this country that has some backbone,no punt intended,another 911 will wake us to our senses and try to have a little compassion for each other..there are people who want to kill us,and they wont email us about it.i remember every families stories,saw the bodies,flying from buildings,i for one will never forget..and for the whiner talking about iraqi people they probably are going to love their freedom,and the name of the guy who gave it to them was not abe lincoln or martin luther king it was george bush..we are a military family..generations,we know what sacrifice is,so sing away girlfriend,but remember a soldier died to give you that right..

This was another example of entitlement gone bad. This woman believes she’s entitled to do whatever she wants even when it disparages this great country and all the blood which has been shed to protect our and her freedoms and liberties. Nevertheless, this is just an inkling of what will become of this nation’s culture if Barak Hussain Obama is elected to the highest office in the land. It’s time to take our country back1

As I read through the different comments, I feel maybe things like this happens to make us take a look at how much we stand divided in this country. I do not agree with this outrage of messing with our National Anthem, but to hear from some that this must be an Obama thing is truly unbelievable, during a time when we all should be trying to overcome this war, and this economy. When a Black speaks out, it does not mean, that we as Blacks in America goes along with this person just because they are Black. This incident was truly dumb on the part of trying to make a statement that you are Black in America. We all know this because we can see that you are. Stop, use inhibition, before you speak out and make a fool of your Self.

well said….pj…scary things in that book…..but now i have to put my pj”s on and go to bed…really this time good nite to all of you in all 57 states..

I was extremely offended .this was a slap in the face,to all Americans, and in very poor taste.

This is SO far away from an outrage. I feel as if we could use some education. People tend to dislike something when they are not exposed to it. If you read some of the post above it’s a lot of fear of whats going to happen when a black man is president. and this is the kind of stuff the makes every one so upset that they keep making deeper racial divides. Of course this is not proper but, is this our main concern in this day and age. This is something that we as the people have to say “were the bigger person” and ignore it, because she gets a kick out of this being on national news.

same sex marriage
fuel prices out the ying yang
famlies losing houses
no jobs
no health care
our kids are dumb as door knobs
no respect for each other
etc
etc
etc
and you’re outraged over this?

Why is race still a problem? Because stuff like this happens and gets blown completely out of proportion and the explosion exposes some really ugly racial/racist assumptions. These comments just remind me why race is still a problem in America, because it lurks just below the surface waiting for incidents like this (that really aren’t all that important in the larger scheme of things) to just jump out and make people act stupid and say ugly things. And sadly, too many people fall for it. It would be so nice if we could just “get over it,” but these little reminders of just how much people still hold on to racism and bias make it hard to move on. If something as trifling as this can get people going, then guess just how fun it is to be Black and deal with larger and more important things, like cops, loan officers, job interviews, doctors, etc. Until people get their minds right, nothing will be right. Hello? People, gas is almost $5.00 a gallon for regular, the job market is in freefall, folks are losing their homes and our president is a joke–and we’re on this? This is why our country is in the toilet, because we’re easily distracted by foolishness instead of focused on getting our politicians to look out for us, their employers/the people, instead of a few rich folks and some corporations. And we’re getting robbed blind, not just that, but our grandkids will be suffering for the screwups we’ve made over the last few years. If we’re going to see this country stay strong beyond the next 30 years, we need to do better. Nighline, nice pander to the worst in us, Ted Koeppel would have done better. This is not a subject for unmoderated/blog discussion. Race is not something we deal with well in this country, and to just throw this out, like raw meat does nothing to advance real dialogue, but then again, the press hasn’t exactly been a friend to the people either in the last few years. For those of you who claim to love America, I hope that you will take it upon yourselves to demand better from this program and the other press outlets in the future. Our press is supposed to be our eyes and ears on the world and a watchdog over our employees (you know, government). If you’re instead spending your energy on this, you’re lying to yourself and to the rest of us and proving my point.

The National anthem is for ALL
the people not JUST African
Americans. Rene Marie’s “Lift Every Voice,” was an insult, ego
centric, myopic and shows a lack of understanding of American history..
It was a total embarrassment.

This is just what America can expect if Obama is elected.
I am a senior member of the Navy and I feel that her changing the words to the National Anthem is a disgrace to EVERY MILITARY MEMEBER that ever wore the uniform and died for THIS COUNTRY dating back to the civil war. That national represents the American Flag and the American Flag is a sign of our freedom. It is also SO disrespectful to the men and women in the military that have died for this country. She should go try and do that over here in the middle east, I garantee you she would get BOOO’d out of my base!!!

You all are politicising this! Shows me how you are a haters!

Jeremy,
Show me your english grades in school cause you don’t know how to type!!!LOL

A black mistake is gross mistake for you.A White mistake is ok right??? Only to things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity… amd am not sure abou tthe former. A whole president makes a gaff and no one bothers ..a small Jazz singer makes a gaff and then its Over board..ohh boy being black!! :-) very proud very proud

see that alone bothers you! i think you are jobless to be trying to correct my typing mistakes.. shows you are doing nothing!.-) get up and go and work!

For all of you that say that you’re not
racist, but you group all people of one color together? Isn’t that racist? Why would you not vote for Barack Obama, because of some African American jazz singer? That’s like not voting for McCain because of some school shooter or drunk driver. If you believe in freedom and unity then you would respect her national anthem because she is African American and they asked her to sing the national anthem, and if you agree that this is also her nation then you must agree that she sung her national anthem.
If they want star spangled banner then that’s what they could have asked for.
And to the people who think that you would like to start a race riot, I think you need to think hard about that, If it goes down it won’t be pretty and most of us wouldn’t be around long enough for the dust to clear.
I’d live and die for mine and you might do the same, but we’d both just be dead
I wish people got off black and white, those are just racist terms meant to create supremacy and inferiority. Not many people are the color of tires or coal or snow and clouds. We mostly all are colored, just different shades but mostly all blind to the brainwashing.
WAKE UP PEOPLE
This is not a “White” country or “Black”
country it is our country and until people stop being scared of the truth and face the “race” issue and state that we are all people like Mr.Obama is doing we should be ashamed of our great country for not living up to all it’s potential.

Ms. Marie was invited to perform the national anthem of the United States of America (must I emphasize the UNITED part). She should have declined the invitation if she did not feel it was an honor to sing the national anthem of our country. As an American (who happens to be of African and Native-American heritage), I am ashamed of her. No the USA is not perfect, but it’s one of the best countries on the planet–and trips overseas have reinforced my belief. Although I’ve enjoyed overseas travel, each time I returned from a trip I’ve wanted to kiss American soil.

I know you’re going to get a lot of arguments for both sides, but let me present a middle argument, a compromise if you will: Yes, it was certainly “a moving expression [and] a display of artistic freedom,” but it was also quite inappropriate given the circumstances. She was introduced to sing “our national anthem,” (as quoted from the person who introduced her.) I would imagine the majority of Americans would take that as “The Star Spangled Banner” (with the original lyrics.) I think if she would have coordinated with the organizers and told them what she wanted to do and they agreed and introduced her as such, this whole thing would have been a lot less controversial. I wonder what people would be saying if she’d sung “O Canada.”

The song was out of line, because she did not perform that which she was requested to do. I believe one official national anthem is important as a unifying factor for us all. However, I appreciate many forms of expressive music when appropriate. In this case, it was just not appropriate–not necessarily an outrage though.
If this lady’s divergence was because Black Americans truly have less of a chance to make it in this world, then I do not blame her if she had no better way to speak up (I have a feeling she has other options though). If it was for personal gain, shame on her.
I grew up around very few non white people. I grew up around few people at all. I knew one black man who’s name was Al Brown, and he called me Red. To me he was cool. That was all I ever knew, and I was not taught to look down on anybody. Since then, I have associated with many people from many races, and I appreciate all races, but I now there are good and bad apples in all races.
That said, many people who speak of the argument itself as an outrage are somewhat correct. We do have so many more concerns.
We do need change, and I’m willing to vote for whoever will be be best force for change no matter what color of skin the person has. I think our leadership needs to take action to bring unity among Americans, or the current generatons could destroy the country for everyone. Those who do not have the same chances–whether white, black, brown, red, etc.–need to be given the same chance to succeed in life, so far as the government has power to do so. Beyond that, each person must make their own personal effort to make a way in this world. Work hard, be an honorable person of good character, teach your children to do the same, and make those changes that will put you in a better position to break the chains.
I personally think our cultural differences are great. I like to see differences in clothing, music, writing, and visual art. The different foods are especially a great part of America’s diversity.
We all need to make changes within America. Poverty, gangs, crisis pregnancy, no health care are not a Black or White problem. It is America’s problem. All this gang stuff, “gangsta rap”, shootings, rape, robbery, etc is not a Black or White problem.
We have people from all races on drugs and stealing from others to get by. All those people, with no respect to race, need to get a life.
I’m not necessarily a huge Michael Jackson fan, but he said it well when he said “I’m talking about the man in the mirror.” Let’s all make that change.
Maybe a pipe dream, but we need to start somewhere.

The song was out of line, because she did not perform that which she was requested to do. I believe one official national anthem is important as a unifying factor for us all. However, I appreciate many forms of expressive music when appropriate. In this case, it was just not appropriate–not necessarily an outrage though.
If this lady’s divergence was because Black Americans truly have less of a chance to make it in this world, then I do not blame her if she had no better way to speak up (I have a feeling she has other options though). If it was for personal gain, shame on her.
I grew up around very few non white people. I grew up around few people at all. I knew one black man who’s name was Al Brown, and he called me Red. To me he was cool. That was all I ever knew, and I was not taught to look down on anybody. Since then, I have associated with many people from many races, and I appreciate all races, but I now there are good and bad apples in all races.
That said, many people who speak of the argument itself as an outrage are somewhat correct. We do have so many more concerns.
We do need change, and I’m willing to vote for whoever will be be best force for change no matter what color of skin the person has. I think our leadership needs to take action to bring unity among Americans, or the current generations could destroy the country for everyone. Those who do not have the same chances–whether white, black, brown, red, etc.–need to be given the same chance to succeed in life, so far as the government has power to do so. Beyond that, each person must make their own personal effort to make a way in this world. Work hard, be an honorable person of good character, teach your children to do the same, and make those changes that will put you in a better position to break the chains.
I personally think our cultural differences are great. I like to see differences in clothing, music, writing, and visual art. The different foods are especially a great part of America’s diversity.
We all need to make changes within America. Poverty, gangs, crisis pregnancy, no health care are not a Black or White problem. It is America’s problem. All this gang stuff, “gangsta rap”, shootings, rape, robbery, etc is not a Black or White problem.
We have people from all races on drugs and stealing from others to get by. All those people, with no respect to race, need to get a life.
I’m not necessarily a huge Michael Jackson fan, but he said it well when he said “I’m talking about the man in the mirror.” Let’s all make that change.
Maybe a pipe dream, but we need to start somewhere.

Good points Damion. We all need to move one and treat each-other as equals. If people are truly not being treated fairly they need to reveal the injustice, and we all need to make sure there are people in leadership who will deal with our social ills. We cannot do anything to change what happened during the slavery days, but we need to assess where we really are today in terms of social equality and make things right where it is needed. After that, people need to wake up and take some responsibility for their own lives and the world around them.

It was not an outrage. It was just plain insulting to our intelligence.
For anyone to think that she did this for anything other than as publicity stunt and a means of dividing us along racial and political lines would be ludicrous.
She obviously hoped to gain a lot of press and attention from her actions. She has already succeeded in doing that.
What is more sinister is the divisive racial attitude that she has promoted by her action.
I believe that most people would be hard pressed to accept her position that she didn’t do this to hurt anyone. We would have to accept the implausible theory that a professional singer feels completely free to change her assigned song with out getting the approval of the event organizers. A more credible theory would be that either she received tacit (albeit not public) approval from the event organizers or that she had an agenda to promote.
The sad thing is that while she may feel that she has met the goals of her agenda, she has taken us a small step backwards from the much-desired goal of promoting interracial respect and harmony.

Outrage is a strong word. Sad is one that is more reflective. Wrong could be used as well. The woman is one person. An artist. She does not speak on behalf of Black Americans or Barack Obama. There seems to be hints that this is racist. One more time for the hard to hear irate people. She is an artist. Remember Roseanne Barr interpretation of the National Anthem? I will bet this artist did not spit when she was done. If you are mad about this then you need to help your country out a little more. Volunteer for something or give to a worthy charity. Don’t try fight an artist. Wrong it was. Someone or the audience should have followed her song with the real one. That would have showed true patriotism. Unlike the rants above and below this comment. Note to all: Some of comments smell racist. Sing America for America, we are one.

HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
“National” it belongs to everybody as one body. it’s public property. No artist dares to go there without the consent of “we” The people. How dare she. You can express your art on your own time. Make a CD an sell the dam thing not come is public when you are expected to do something and inject something else. what a “con” artist that Marie is.
fuweee. You got you 15mn. Now you apoligize. We love our national anthem the way it is one country indivisible one anthem. if you want more you are looking to divide us. AMERICA is not Baskin & Robin 31 flavor ice cream store. Yall.

“Get over yourselves, all you white pampered superficial “patriots”. ” John, your RACIST remarks are disgusting! From this nonwhite person, you should get over your RACIST self and your RACIST views. Your racist views are disgusting.

“WE KNOW OTHER PEOPLE HAVE SUFFERED IN THIS COUNTRY BUT NO OTHER GROUP OF PEOPLE HAVE SACRIFICED AS MUCH AS BLACK PEOPLE HAVE FOR THIS COUNTRY” Wow, disgusting bigoted remarks from Mr./Ms.”We want Change.”

Her motive and what she was actually asked to do is what we need to look at. The song she sang is a great song, but if she was asked to sing the real national anthem, and in defiance sang what she wanted, she was obviously out of line.
We should not bash Obama over this (as a few have done). He is neither black or white, and we need to vote for the best person regardless of race. We need to vote that way in all cases. Who is the best is the question. It is not a war of races. I would not feel defeated or a victor (as in fighting others) if Obama were actually Black and won the race. If he is best, he is best because of his abilities and his character–not because of his color.
Each person should have an equal chance to make it in this world relative to the effort they exert to be a successful respectable citizen.

The last word–to all patriots-do not ever hire this woman to sing or do anything–that’s what you do to people whom you hire to do a job and they do not do it!!

Jeremy.. I was joking about your typing and I am not jobless. I am a 2nd class petty officer in the U.S. Navy.

Look at the all the comments and you’ll see whats wrong with the USA….too many yellow belly bigots who need to be chained to ships and sent back to that armpit of human civilization where they oozed out of…EUROPE. I am sick of you McCain/Bush eurotrash and the disease you have spread in OUR land….land WE real Americans inhabited for 1000s of years. Bigots beget bigots….ever thought of castration to save the world? Yes, I’m talking to you.

I believe in freedom of speech and expression, but this is ridiculous!
The National Anthem is about all Americans and all race, and no one should ever be allowed to change its lyrics to a different Anthem. It should be illegal, and the American Government should make a law against it. Also, she excluded every race except her own, therefore, she is a racist.
It was a political statement and a publicity stunt on her part. Rene Marie said that she didn’t mean any harm, but she did, she direspected the American people, their country, and their own Nationl Anthem. As a singer she was unprofessional for changing the original lyrics, and singing it differently. She should have known better than that. If she dislikes this country, then she should move to another country, and sing those lyrics to their own tune, and not use our Anthem’s tune. I am a Palestinian woman who is very proud to be an American, and America’s National Anthem always gives goose bumps, and brings tears to my eyes. I am offended by her
tacky and inappropriate behavior just like any other American. It should be illegal to change the lyrics of any Anthem. Rene Marie should appologize to all Americans, and she should be repremanded, as well as sued for her inconsiderate, insensitive, disrespectful, outragous, and racist behavior just like any other person who makes a racist remarks about her race. If people of a different race or culture made the same mistake, they would be considered communists, and they would never be tolerated, and would be deported. She should be treated the same way,as well as banned, and she should never get away with it. She should be arrested just like people who burn the American flag. Shame on her for not appreciating this country and its National Anthem, and for being ungrateful. She should have done the job that she was asked to do. Also, she should have been proud, honored, and priviledged for being chosen to sing it. Since she did not like to sing the original lyrics, she should stick to singing Jazz.
Sincerely,
Claudette Diek
P.S.I Claudette Diek give KABC Station permission, consent, and authorization to use this letter or email publicily broadcasted on television. I release all my rights for any or all employees of KABC, to use any or all sentences from this letter or email, and to use it in any form, and any or all changes in order of these sentences. I am also authorizing you to use my full name without any objections, or questions, or rights on my part.
Claudette Diek
July 3, 2008

jeff I’m not white. I am American period.
When I visit other lands, they ask me about my National anthem. They don’t asked me about my individual anthem.
Hey America has 101 anthems. They would have a hard time at the olympics figuring out of the 101 anthem we must have “to express our individuality”which country is on the podium. Silly isn’t it?. Armenians suffered in the past, japanese suffered, Chinese were brought here to work on the railroads, jews were called german nazis etc, etc My point is we all bled some for this land Now we live in peace.The sky is the limit for us as individuals. Groups wanting revenge is counter productive divisive and hate oriented. God bless this land. Show me a better system.and you are talking to an experienced traveler.Don’t be a fool.
That lady had a message and a window of opportunity to convey it.

To Jeremy. You did not quote me (plainview2), you quoted Tommy and attributed it to me by mistake. By the way I can’t vote in the US elections I am Australian. I think you were trying to make a pun on the rank of Tommy a ‘petty’ officer. Tommy had made reference to my original comment and maybe this confused you.

This is an outrage. If you are not proud to be an American and not a special kind of American, leave and leave now. If you want a black national anthem GO BACK TO AFRICA.

NOTE TO WORLD: Every black person is NOT an Obama surrogate.
You insensitive, racist dimwits.

The National Anthem is not, nor has it ever been, associated with color. No matter who is representing our great nation at the Olympics, I see the same pride on the faces of our atheletes when OUR song is played, and many of them are African-American, Asian-American, etc.
How can I continue to educate my students that we should all strive to focus on the things we have in common rather than the things that we have that separate us? It is amazing to me that the people who are in the position to quit beating a dead horse keep digging him up over and over again.
I don’t minimize one bit the pain and suffering of past generations of African Americans, but if we never teach our children to put it to rest, it will never happen.

The National Anthem is not, nor has it ever been, associated with color. No matter who is representing our great nation at the Olympics, I see the same pride on the faces of our atheletes when OUR song is played, and many of them are African-American, Asian-American, etc.
How can I continue to educate my students that we should all strive to focus on the things we have in common rather than the things that we have that separate us? It is amazing to me that the people who are in the position to quit beating a dead horse keep digging him up over and over again.
I don’t minimize one bit the pain and suffering of past generations of African Americans, but if we never teach our children to put it to rest, it will never happen.

Also, there are many, many comments posted to the story regarding GA investigation into lynchings in the past. I was sent to that site when trying to comment on this article.

It was an outrageous breach of trust, done in public. She misrepresented herself and her intentions, and took advantage of the public’s good will. Perhaps the “song” she sang might have been appropriate at the Black State of the Union Address, it was not appropriate where it was “performed” by misrepresentation and to misappropriated music. She should never again be invited or allowed to sing the National Anthem in public, period.
I also want to mention that there should be some standards for the performance of the National Anthem, and that all the “warbling canaries” and “screaming Mimmies” who really spoil it for everyone and set a really bad example for future performers, be held to them or lose the privilege of performance of the piece. It is difficult enough to sing as it is, but done right, it is downright inspirational, and it should be respected, not “reinterpreted”. As an example of a good standard performance, consider that of Jerry Vale, who, in my opinion, was one of the best. I always felt goosebumps as he finished performed it, and I always felt proud to be an American, at the end. I only wish it was that way again, but frankly, it is often an embarrassment for me to have to listen to most current performances.

If something as trifling as this can get people going, then guess just how fun it is to be Black and deal with larger and more important things, like cops, loan officers, job interviews, doctors, etc.
This is precisely why there are so many racist and angry responses on this topic.
Bottom line in this story is that the woman was hired to do the job and she did not do it. She should not be paid and her reputation should not preclude her working professionally for a long time. Period. However, this is a symptom of an emerging problem in America. The pendulum has swung too far. From the horrific actions of the Western White in the creation of slavery comes an excuse now for every modern American black. Young people who know nothing of American history and the civil rights era in school (yes, it is taught and well) go about blaming slavery for every problem they have rather than taking personal responsibility. Americans in general should be sick of excuse-making and lack of personal responsibility in any package – white or black. But please stop telling me it is harder for you to live because you are black. It’s simply not true, and much of it is because of choices within the black family. Affirmative action means black students with less talent receive more scholarship money. My own three kids were Merit Scholars but received less financial aid than many of their black counterparts.That should offend both black and white. It degrades blacks.
The latest figures indicate that nearly 7 of 10 black households are headed by a single female. Why is the black community not outraged by this statistic and intervene to fix families? Education is not a priority in the black household. Ask any teacher what percentage of black parents come to back to school nights. Yes, parents in general are doing a lousy job parenting in America and fewer and fewer are supporting education. But, again, the black family is definitely struggling more and this cannot be blamed on whites.
If black Americans (guess what? you are not all from Africa)continue to play the race card, they must be ready and willing to discuss honestly the perceptions of white America. I would love an intelligent dialogue on the facts. Then, maybe we can all begin to strengthen a deteriorating country that apparently is still loved by many.
Finally, with regard to Obama. I won’t vote for him because he refused to vote 192 times while a senator. He marked present, but did not vote on critical issues. In other words, he has no character and no personal strength to make a stand. He demonstrated no volunteer service as a young person, and his book is an example of an entitled individual with excellent rhetoric and no personal strength or commitment. This life-long democrat is voting for Nader.

I guess if I had been there, I would have been the leader in “booing” her off stage. Disrespect is disrespect no matter whom it is coming from. There is one national anthem and it stands for ALL. I guess some people feel the need to be more special and have their own….What a selfish, self righteous person she is, her 15 minutes are up as far as I’m concerned!
Sue her for breach of contract and make sure she never works again…
Now back to real life.

Just say thank you President McCain.
Best ad for nobama EVER!

Simply, had she been hired to sing “a song of her choice” she would have every right to sing this song (however it is somewhat tacky to sing it to the tune of the National Anthem). She was not within her rights to express freedom of speech when she was requested to sing a traditional song for this event. Outrage? Maybe but she does owe the audience an apology. She was not asked to make a statement, just sing a song.

A preview of coming attractions.

Get a life, folks. It was stupid of her, but hardly worth getting your undies in a bundle. It was a dumb way to show appreciation for the fact that the Democrats are about to make history, but stupidity is not the equivalent of being unpatriotic.

This IS NOT and SHOULD NOT be about race. Rather, it should be about breach of contract, misrepresentation, disrepect, and breach of the public trust.
As far as I am concerned, I feel the same way about Roseanne Barr’s performance, and many, many others.
So-called performers of the type described above, should either be sued for breach of contract, or banned from public performance of the National Anthem. Sing it as it was written, with the appropriate music, without ridiculous self-centered “embellishments”.
“The Star-spangled Banner” represents the entire NATION and not just ONE performer, who may or may not be up to par. As I said, Jerry Vale was the standard for many, many years. Other performers should look to his accomplishment and LEARN HOW TO DO IT, PROPERLY, WITH RESPECT AND HONOR.
Failing that, they should just keep to their seats in the stands, face the flag, and salute. And, if they can’t do that, then maybe they should consider another country, especially if they spit at the end.
I repeat, it is not about race, and those who would make it so are doing this country and NATION a great disservice. Go you way in SHAME.

It sure seems like blacks want to draw attention, Is she American or Black.. why not both.. but I do think she was American first, If she was born African would she dare to do what she was not hired to do.. she sure got attention but is it the right kind, If she is not a racist, then she is American first and should have either asked for a change or said she was unable to preform. In America you can stand up for your beliefs, just dont push them on others.

I think it was disgraceful; I don’t care what color you are, she lives in America and should respect that. I get so tired of people trying to make race the issue! Just like Halle Berry when she received her Oscar, she tried to make an issue out it that she won for the black women; she did not win because she was black, she won because she was good in her role. I lost respect for Halle after that. We all live here together and are all Americans regardless of our race or color; we should be proud of our country and what it stands for. I think everyone that has Rene booked to perform should cancel her; she obviously can’t deliver what is asked of her, and then everyone else that was thinking of booking her to perform should not. What she did is just as bad as buring the American Flag, I hope her career comes to a stand still and then maybe next time; if there is a next time for her, she will think twice before doing what she did. I hope she has remorse for what she did & she should make a public apology.

What an outrage that in this day and time someone would make such mockery of what America stands for. It doesn’t matter what nationality or where your “roots” are from, if you are in this country, you should respect what our forefathers went through for us to be blessed to live in the USA, if not, go back to your original country and see how wonderful you have it there.

I was very disappointed in the acts of this “woman”. Blacks and Hispanics all want to be called Americans, but then they have their own anthems, cultures, pro activists, etc. to stand up for their skin color. What to caucasion people have? No one! Why, because if we cried KKK everytime something caucasion people were questioned for then we would be called racists. Take Joe Horn for instance. What caucasion activist group is standing up for him? Not one, just his lawyer. It is past time that every race, creed, and color stop pulling the race card and just be blessed that you are living in America and that no one should be elected to want to “change” it.

hahahaha you pepole are sick….. the media will not have a field day with Obama…. HELLO HE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS……HE WAS NOT EVEN THERE and just watch McCain will do nothing for this country…… i bet all the people that keep saying McCain 08 dont have someone over in Iraq fight for a bunch of bullshit. Like i say if McCain wins ( which i doubt) It i will be four more years of Blood shead, high ass gas and the most economy since the 1920s. So do me a favor leave Obama out of this You RACES SHITHEADS!!!!!
O one more thing, Lift Every Voice and Sing is a song to god….. if you love this country so much you would know this country was build upon god(In God We Trust). o she has freedom of speech.

I wonder what would happen to me if I would voice “how it feels to be a white woman” in this world. People scream “Racist” at any chance they get, and I am tired of hearing about it. We that are citizens of the United States of America should consider what “The Star Spangled Banner” stands for. How many of your fathers; grandfathers; sons, etc…have fought for our wonderful country? And now tell me this so-called artistic impression is not an OUTRAGE!!! Our National Anthem stands for being proud of our country and what it takes to be an American. How many know all of the words to the song? Maybe that’s what the womans’ problem was…she just didn’t know the words!!!

Some of you keep saying it had nothing to do with Obama, when she said she did this because she was inspired by Obama and him coming to Denver, so yes it does have something to do with Obama. Was he there, no, should he denounce her actions, absolutely…I mean with all his patriotism and stuff….

After reading lots of the comment left by members of nightline, I feel a little hurt. I do not believe that Rene Marie meant for the Black National Anthem to be a “black thing”. If you listen to the words of the song it is not just for black people. It is a song that truly interprets the America experiences from the American Revolution, Slavery, Civil War, Civil right movement, and European migration. It tells of a life that was full hard but as time got better life got better. Now is the time for all Americans to come together to fight for what they believe in and not put each other down.

nneka92 said, “Now is the time for all Americans to come together to fight for what they believe in and not put each other down.”
And what do you think Renee did??? She is a racist and separatist. We CAN’T come together with disgusting displays like this.
There is NO BLACK NATION hence… NO black national anthem. duh!!!

Robert… GO TO HELL!! I’m white.. Just because of that I am a racist? Your “sista” screwed up..

Well, it was a nice song set to the music of America’s National Anthem. And, I’m sure that it’s much loved and appreciated in her “black nation”, wherever that is. Perhaps she should go there, and be revered for her melodic abilities. But, while in America, having been given the honor of singing the one and only American National Anthem, she should have honored that trust rather than covertly choosing to make a political statement. Employment may suddenly become difficult for this lady! Rightfully so!!

I am re-stating my comment below since it was credited to someone else…Must be a flaw with the system.
I must admit that the artist was hired to perform America’s National Anthem. I believe her only mistake was deviating from what she had contractually agreed to do. Whether via a verbal contract or written, she agreed to perform the country’s National Anthem.
However, many of the responses on the blog appear to be mean spirited. Many of the comments focus on her Blackness oppose to her breech of contract. It is my opinion that America is still filled with prejudice and racism more than ever. The fact that many Americans can’t meet each other half way without race being the primary is to me unpatriotic by today’s standards. So, she performed the Black National Anthem. I think it is appalling that there are people who disregard or devalue the Black National Anthem as a ‘ditty’ or some random tune. The historical piece of music to me exemplifies American patriotism. Originally created by James Weldon Johnson as a poem, celebrates early Black America’s survival of their harsh experience in this country. I believe it takes a great deal of patriotism to accept and move forward from one of the darkest moments in our country’s history.
It’s amazing the hostility that is being spewed because this artist chose the Black National Anthem. It was just last year that America’s National Anthem was called to the mat. As a Black man, do I believe that Francis Scott Key was thinking of my Black ancestors when he wrote America’s National Anthem? I think not. Although there were injustices committed against my ancestors, I still feel a great sense of pride whenever the National Anthem is played. Not for the pain inflected on them, but for the fact that they survived, which allowed me to survive.
We are one country. Yes. I believe we are a country of diverse Peoples. What makes this country special from any other country is our freedom of speech. We can openly and proudly profess whatever we believe. Sometimes, what we believe is a shared belief and sometimes it’s not. Folks, even in the midst of our greatness as a country, we still have some unresolved issues pertaining to race. The history that has become the American story will never heal until we address the underlying issues of race. No political correctness can repair the damage. God Bless America and all it’s People.

This is an abmonination to the country that God gave us. She should be charged with treason. The blacks think if Obama is elected they are going to rule over us as whites……lol….God will take his wrath out on them… Stop and think what is happening in California right now. Gay marriages made legal and now the wildfires are out of control! Is that not the work of the true Almighty God? Wake up America!

The purpose of having the National Anthem played or sung before an event is to bring us together, in a shared moment, and remind us that we are all one country, one nation. Many, many of us join in and sing, whether we can carry a tune in a bucket or not. We are not separated by color, ethnicity, gender, religion, politics, or sexual preference. We are, for a brief moment in time, one. Rene Marie, by singing a song others could not sign with her, took away that moment from the people who were there. Whether or not this was an expression or artistic freedom is a moot point. She thought it more important to “perform” than to lead in an expression of unity. Her selfish act was just that. Selfish. (It sure got her in the news, too. Didn’t it.)

I am a middle aged AMERICAN, who happens to be black, not an African American or any of the other politically correct crap you want to try to make me say. Im not African, never been there. I’m proud to be an American and I was appalled at what I heard. She wasnt trying to tell how she felt to be a black person in America. She was trying to make a radical statement, trying to get attention. Im fortunate enough to have a lot of friends, both black and white. I dont live in the 60′s or 70′s anymore. Ive matured, overcome things, learned to live with things, moved on and tried to make the best of what the Lord has given me and my family. And something else, I’m a very blessed and happy man. Thank you for letting me post this an God bless America.

The National Anthem ; BLACKS HAVE NO RESPECT FOR IT CAUSE WE HAVE GIVEN THEM ALL THEY NEED TO HATE AND BE DIFFERENT ,SOMETHING GOES WRONG HAY I’M BLACK WA WA
I grew up with blacks and knew at the Jr high level IN THE 70′s that there parents were not teaching them what mine was,Hate and bitterness is what there parents taught them in my home town
Blame yourselves black MOMS and if you find a Black father out there blame him
we will never get past anything in this country , if you come back to earth in a time machine 100 years from now there will still be hate and you will pass it on congrats black community you have done so well
SING YOUR BLACK ANTHEM ON ANTHER PLANET

Wow ABC News Nightline. Who would have thought you could unearth so much division and hidden tension so easily as simply asking if it was a mis-guided decision by Rene Marie regarding where/when she chose to alter the singing of our National Athem.
If folks here think that the African-American community having a “National Black Anthem” is creating a stir, wait until the subject of REPARATIONS for slavery comes back to the forefront for discussion.
I will be interested to hear how both McCain as well as Obama handle these subjects and others obviously tied back to racial divisions / tensions as they come forward for more delibration before the election.
As for all the demeaning remarks in the blog by both sides – I’m actually quite surprised and saddened to learn that there are so many racist viewers (whether they be caucasian, or african, or whatever ethnicity).

HA HA white folks are nuts

indie filmmaker here.
I think she, not by her own accord, did exactly what was intended. She open the eyes of the unknowingly blind people who think that since we are in 2008 things have changed, but they have not. It seems that back in the day we had the physical aspect of hatred, now we have the mental aspect.
I don’t care what race you identify hatred is hatred. it’s directly, indirectly, backlashed or retaliation it’s hatred. Aren’t you guys tired of that, where does your faith play into that?
I look at this blog and i see a lot of hatred amongst people and realized these are people we work around everyday and not knowing honestly what lies in their heart. My point is she open the eyes of the unknowingly blind. Just read this blog… Make a commitment to say no more hatred!

She was asked to sing the National Anthem and that was her obligation. It is a black and white obligation. No pun intended. She should not be given the honor again.

Singing the National Anthem is about your country, not about self. She knew exactly what she was doing and had the apportunity to tell the organization that asked her to sing what she planned on. Since she didn’t, it only shows how selfish and self serving she is. Any future obligations of hers should be cancelled. The organizers should have stopped the music and asked the whole group of people attending to sing the National Anthem.

Whoa PJ with the black name stuff…my name is very significant. White folks seem to think they have all the cures for the ills of my community. I wouldn’t have to teach my child racism if it didn’t exist but it does (by the way, I know you’re thinking I have kids because I’m black but I don’t). I say white folks are nuts because you choose to act as though this world would be a utopia if only minorities would get the the ‘white is alright’ bandwagon. You are the only race of people who can be ignorant about race and get away with it but be outraged when race is brought into the picture or worse yet, you bring race in and get upset when black folks get in your face about it. The issue at hand is not race but rather what this lady decided to sing. I say white folks are nuts because you’re blind, your ignorant, and you call us animals. Get over yourself. More power to the woman for singing a song that strikes more hope than you’re “so-called national anthem” that many of you, as stated earlier, don’t know the words to. She is not unpatriotic, but rather a true patriot who shows that we are not cookie-cutter, cabon copies of white folks ideals. Yeah, you proved my point that white folks are nuts

One woman wrote that this is an inkling of what is to come if Obama is elected and this is so true. I say only if we don’t get the vote out. This is a direct result of Michelle Obama’s views. Renee Marie isn’t proud of this country either. Wake up America! get involved.Renee should take a slow boat to Africa. May I suggest Zimbawe?

Rene Marie’s website has some answers regarding this.
http://www.renemarie.com/qa.htm
Her website also posts the following contact information:
email rene@renemarie.com
or call 303.520.6705

To Teketa who writes:
“I say white folks are nuts because you’re blind, your ignorant, and you call us animals.” And goes on later to explain typo’s as “please blame it on my rush or rather my university”.
While it’s good to see you are receiving an education – I would like to refer you to your own mirror if you want a real education – that is so that you can see what a racist looks like. Please make better use of your parents investment in your “univeristy” education.

Just like what the black community always does, try to slap the american people of the white race in the face.

D. in Alaska wrote:
” To the Obaba bashers and the the Obama supporters. Obama is not Black, and even if he were fully Black, it should not make a difference. The most qualified person should get the seat regardless of color.”
Unfortunately she’s no longer in the running……

To Bev: I agree. It is a great song she sang, but the motive is what is important and the fact that she was asked to sing the national anthem means she was out of line.
I would like to know her true motives behind her actions. No sense in calling it an “outrage” until we have all the facts, and even then she is just one person who got out of line. It’s not like Obama told her to do it.

Wow, I posted earlier today and it appears that the tone has gotten increasingly worst.
The people who are spewing hatred in their comments appear to be the most danagerous of any foriegn terrorist. As a Black man, my Black single mother taught me to love all people. It is only when I am met with such hatred that I begin to question those values that my Black single mother taught me. Just like all White people are not evil, there are Blacks who are not evil as well. Judge me not by the color of my skin, but by the content of my character.
No matter how successful many of us in the Black community become, there is always someone who slams our very accomplishments.
I believe that the individuals who are posting such hatefilled words are the people who continue to teach their children hate. Then there children go out and perpetuate that same hatred and pass it along to their children. It’s a cycle that I believe can be broken.
I think this conversation has gone way beyond the fact that the artist did not keep her word, which to me is golden. Although, I do not know who and the race of the individuals writing the mean spirited postings, however, I do believe that I have for the first time witnessed the face of hatred. It is sickening to my sight.
For a country that uses the name of GOD in its anthems and constitution. I wonder what GOD would say if he/she was reading this blog. I don’t think it would be anything good.
Let’s work together to co-exist. Because, I have NO plan of moving to Africa. I’m an American.

Yes, I’m outraged. That anthem is for only for one half of one group. I am further disgusted that she used the Nathional Anthem to do it. If she wanted to be artisic, then she can write her own tune. I am finding that people like her preach diversity, but they don’t practice it.

I’m a white male from the so-called black mecca in america Atlanta ga,you see america. we have always gotten a bad rap down here because of ‘those peoples ills’ i’m referring to our BLACK AMERICAN friends. Believe me they have things so screwed up down here with our city govt, that every community in the city wants cityhood,so we can govern ourselves, and yes i do mean WHITE Atlanta. We’re tired of your pissing and moaning, everyday in this city 90% of the time when theres a shooting it’s in a black part of town. Keeping it real as they say, they can’t even manage their own communities we see it first hand down here, thats why John mcCain has the lead in the polls down here, White America you better wake up there alot of you out there that don’t see it first hand like we do down here it’s understandable you have your liberal views, BUT PLEASE ALL YOU HILLARY SUPPORTERS DO NOT VOTE FOR NOBAMA it will only get worse with a black leader. And by the way we have a county school system in one of the outlying counties CLAYTON county which is predominately should I say AFRICAN AMERICAN. Which is about to lose it’s accreditation for the first time in a US school system EVER. WAKE UP

First, there are two national anthems–get over it.
Second, Star-spangled Banner is the White National Anthem and is proof that this country has always been run by war-mongers.
Finally, Home of the Free and the Brave. Freedom of Speech. Apparently, only if you’re a White American.

More power to the people. the people of America. This country is as much hers and it is yours, and in some cases more so. the changing face of America. It is here whether you are ready or not. More to come. It’s all good. We still fight just as hard.

No afence i am not races is just a fact

in fact i got some friend’s that are white.

“WHITE”and “American” are not synomous. Status quo is changing to be A more inclusive world/america get over yourself “white america”.
If you were truly inclusive you wouldn’t see black this or that. Its seems you want us to be happy with being alienated by white america.
There are so many aspects of American life that is “white exclusive” without saying it. But we see it and experience it. AND YOU KNOW IT.
God is not an american. God bestows blessing on all his creation.
What is wrong with some of you so called christians.

Lift Every Voice and Sing is a wonderful song it its own right, with it’s own fine melody. It carries great merit on its it’s own. BUT it IS MOST inappropriate to displace the National Anthem with it.

As a nation we were outraged when Rosie O’donnell massacred the national athem (even though the words were correct, she purposely sang horrible). It was disrespectful. I am a black women and this is equally disrespectful and outrageous. We are one people – all standing side by side fighting in Iraq and other places around the world. We all honor the flag and realize that we have opportunities in this country for ever color and creed that we would not have in most other countries. Like most others, I been a victim of discrimination, but I’m not not going to use that as a crutch and blame all my other mistakes on it. I certainly won’t let a few opinions disuade me from becoming what I want to be. She used an old song meant to call on all blacks to rise up against their white suppressors and march for victory. Not an appropriate thing at all considering she was supposed to sing a song of unity. It was an outrage, it was a stupid thing to do. It will hurt blacks much more than it will ever help.

An ABSOLUTE OUTRAGE! Perhaps if she spent a few months in ZIMBAWAYE (sp?) she might have more appreciation for the White & Black Americans who fought so desparately to make this a FREE Country. She degrades those noble founders.

This woman took this time to voice her
opinion of being a black woman living in America. If she really thinks it is so bad there are millions of women that would love to trade places with her in a country where blacks are the majority.
Ever heard of Darfur? I guess its just llike our children of today in that ppeople just dont appreciate anything because it has come too easy for them.
E. Moreno

Betty Sue, I agree that Whitney’s rendition of the National Anthem is memorable. But, it’s hard to believe the rage/anger jumping off the page. How easy it is vent about the ills you feel about blacks when she only represented herself at that moment in time.
Life must really be dull that we are spending this much energy on the subject. Get a grip, this is not that serious.

Betty Sue, I agree that Whitney’s rendition of the National Anthem is memorable. But, it’s hard to believe the rage/anger jumping off the page of the many blogs I read. How easy it is to vent about the ills felt about blacks when she only represented herself at that moment in time.
Life must really be dull that we spent this much energy on the subject. Get a grip, this is not that serious. Go to her website, read her response and stop guessing why she did it. http://www.renemarie.com/qa.htm

Geez,
I haven’t been to this ridiculous board in sometime and I can see NOTHING has changed although LOTS has changed in the nation. Hmmm, I don’t know the cost of GAS, FOOD, and other items we need to just get along has risen considerably for the average American. You know I do hope Obama wins this election, but in my own sick twisted little mind, there is this side of me that hopes McCain DOES win, and ALL of you get what you DESERVE. WHY? Simply put because YOU have not had enough, gas isn’t high enough, enough people have not lost their homes, so you want more. Maybe, just maybe you will get 8 more years of the warrior McSame and Cruela Deville :).

IT IS AN OUTRAGE.
SHE SHOULD BE TRIED AS A TRAITOR AND SENT TO ANOTHER COUNTRY.

THE MAGAZINE COVER OF OBAMA AND HIS WIFE WAS GREAT! WE ALL NEED T-SHIRTS.
OBAMA REFUSES TO DO TOWN HALL MEETINGS — IN FRONT OF AVERAGE AMERICANS — BUT HE’LL TAKE 300 PEOPLE TO EUROPE!
LAST TIME I CHECKED — EUROPEANS CAN’T VOTE FOR OUR PRESIDENT!
ARE TAXPAYERS PAYING FOR THIS?
BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA WILL DESTROY AMERICA.
I’M VOTING FOR JOHN McCAIN IN NOVEMBER.

why? freedom of speech. everybody else is America is free to say and do. now you are calling one America, tomorrow you all will be saying something different. just shut up and let the voice of one beautiful woman (American) be heard. Get Jesus. Get life.

And it was not the National Anthem it was a made up gimik