'Black National Anthem' At State Of City Stirs Controversy

Denver Channel 7 News ^

[BreitbartSentMe]

One of the most notable incidents from Tuesday's State of the City address occurred even before the mayor's speech began.

After the Pledge of Allegiance, Rene Marie was introduced to sing the national anthem.

But that's not what she sang.

Martin actually sang the tune of the traditional national anthem with the lyrics to "Lift Every Voice and Sing." It's a song some have called the National Black Anthem, the Negro National Anthem or the Black National Anthem.

Once she finished performing, there was a moment of awkward silence and then the crowd gave her mild applause. Marie said she understood why the audience was confused, since the song sounded familiar but the lyrics were different.

"Art is supposed to make you think. I wanted to express how I felt, being a black woman living in this country," Marie told 7NEWS.

The Denver Mayor's Office said it wasn't aware that Marie was planning to sing that version of the song. A spokeswoman told 7NEWS that the office expected her to sing the traditional anthem.

The Broomfield singer said only three people at the State of the City speech knew she would sing the lyrics to the Black National Anthem -- her husband, her mentor and herself. It was not a song requested by the city, but a song she had deliberately chosen to perform.

[BreitbartSentMe]

We're in Denver right now on a trip, and the talk radio audience is going nuts - outraged!!

[Mr. Mojo]

Did she rap it?

[BreitbartSentMe]

Sorry, duplicate, some posted it between my searching and then posting.

[BreitbartSentMe]

Here's the other thread.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2039433/posts

[Jeff Head]

That version of the song? IT's NOT A VERSION OF THE NATIONAL ANTHERM...IT'S A DIFFERENT SONG.

Black Natinal Anthem indeed.

Who said she had the right to take artistic liberty with the National Anthem? Folks there have every right to be outraged.

This is the type of sick thinking, and mushy brained, anti-American stuff we get when someone like Obama gets on the national stage.

BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA WILL CHANGE THE WORLD

THE AUDACITY OF TRUTH ABOUT BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA

[Selmore]

Maybe for once in her life she was proud of her country.

[papasmurf]

Outraged?

They darned well should be!

[EggsAckley]

Man, the applause was pitiful. Heheheh.

What nerve!!

[goldstategop]

In Rene Marie, Michelle Obama has found her soulmate.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Tzimisce]

I guess they want a “chocolate” nation....

[Sender]

The “Black National Anthem” ends with the line, “True to our native land”, but nowhere is America mentioned in the song.

[Sprite518]

So this stupid racist was suppose to sing the National Anthem, and instead decides to sing an unoriginal song about how she feels. Wonderful.... Now maybe everyone should sing how they feel instead of the National Anthem This is the USA in 2008? personal feelings should ALWAYS trump the National Anthem. That is what will unite us. Yeah I am sure that is what the boys in D-Day were thinking about when they stormed the beaches of France....

[Enchante]

"Art is supposed to make you think. I wanted to express how I felt, being a black woman living in this country," Marie told 7NEWS."

I am so beyond sick of this kind b.s. She should not ever be invited to perform in any such setting again, and certainly not by any public agency or office.

[toddlintown]

Sue her for performance failure.

[goldstategop]

And she couldn't find it in herself to show her love of our country? I wasn't even born here and I love her more deeply than most native born Americans who take her for granted. That's sad!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[SIDENET]

Michelle will book her for Barack’s inauguration.

[goldstategop]

Yep. The Hate America Crowd has found someone who will put America down. At last! At last!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[353FMG]

We may have to get used to the black version of our National Anthem if BO makes it into the White House. (I wonder if he will invite all his Kenyan family members to Washington for the celebrations?)

[Gator113]

It seems that I should have paid more attention to the words of the song. As I said on the other thread about this.....we do not disagree on this.