Kari Lake slams NFL over anthem decision at kickoff, sparks backlash.

Former Gubernatorial Contender Criticizes NFL’s National Anthem Decision

In a bold statement, former gubernatorial contender Kari Lake expressed her disapproval⁣ of the NFL’s decision to feature a rendition⁣ of the ⁢”black national anthem” before the opening game of the season.

The controversy arose when a local youth choir performed “Lift Every Voice‌ and Sing” before kickoff in Kansas City, eliciting boos from the⁤ crowd. ‌Christian singer Natalie Grant then sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Lake took to X, the platform​ formerly known as​ Twitter, to voice​ her opposition. “I hear the NFL is still trying ⁤to force this divisive nonsense down America’s throats. I won’t stand for it. ⁤Literally,” ‍she posted. “America has only ONE ‌National Anthem and that Anthem is color blind.”

Accompanying her ‍post was a picture showing her seated during a performance of ⁤”Lift Every Voice‍ and Sing” ⁤before Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, ⁤Arizona, earlier‌ this year.

I hear the @NFL is still trying to force this divisive nonsense down America’s throats.

I ⁤won’t stand for it. Literally.

America‍ has only ONE National Anthem and that Anthem is color​ blind. https://t.co/fFSHcp7sP1

— Kari Lake (@KariLake) September 8, 2023

Lake explained her stance to Newsweek,‍ stating, “I’m against a ‘black National Anthem’ for⁣ the same reason I am against⁣ a ‘white National Anthem,’ a ‘gay National ‌Anthem,’ a ‘straight⁤ National Anthem,’ a ‘Jewish National Anthem,’ ​a⁢ ‘Christian National Anthem,’ and‌ so on.”

“We are ONE NATION, under ⁤God, Francis Scott Key’s words ring true for every single American ‍Citizen regardless of their skin color,” she added.

The NFL introduced ‌the playing of “Lift Every⁣ Voice and Sing” ⁢at the start of the ‌2020 season,⁢ and⁣ it has been featured in pregame ceremonies before the last three Super Bowls.

While‍ Lake’s ​refusal to stand for the “black national anthem” drew ‌some⁣ criticism at ⁢the time, black conservatives rallied ‍behind her.

Kari Lake​ was not‌ amused by the “black national anthem.” ⁣ pic.twitter.com/5Ri6RUDy09

— Brigitte Gabriel (@ACTBrigitte) February 13, 2023

Former California gubernatorial candidate ‌Larry Elder and Utah ⁣Rep. ​Burgess Owens, a former NFL player, also voiced their support⁤ for Lake and criticized the concept of a‍ separate anthem based‌ on skin color, according to Fox News.

“I agree ​with Kari‍ Lake. We have one national⁤ anthem, and ⁣it’s THE national ​anthem,” Elder said in a ⁣statement.

“I am as opposed to playing both anthems as I am to the term ‘African — [American]’ ​and to Black History Month. These things are ⁣divisive. They‌ imply ⁤blacks are somehow separate and apart from American history, tradition, and experience. It suggests continued victimization and oppression when antiblack racism in America has never been⁣ more insignificant.”

“Blacks ​fought and died in every American war, including the ⁤Revolutionary War,​ in which a black⁣ man was the first casualty. ⁣We ARE American history.”

Burgess agreed, saying the NFL was “working⁤ very hard” to divide Americans.

“I ​will not stand for any other national anthem but our ​National Anthem, so I’m with Kari Lake,” Burgess said. “I will not be ⁢part of dividing our country between ⁣Blacks and​ Whites. I ⁤will not do that. I ⁤will not be part of it. The NFL has ashamed themselves.”

The ​post Kari Lake Torches NFL After Backlash from National Anthem Decision at ⁣Kickoff appeared first ​on The Western⁣ Journal.

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