Denver Shocked as Singer Opts for 'Black National Anthem' Over 'Star-Spangled Banner'

ToughOmbre · 07-02-2008, 01:53 PM

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

A jazz singer shocked some Denver residents after replacing the words to the national anthem with those of the "Black National Anthem" during the annual State of the City address this week.

Rene Marie was asked to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" before Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper delivered the annual address on Tuesday. Instead, she sang the lyrics of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" — a hymn commonly referred to as the "Black National Anthem" — to the tune of the national anthem, MyFOXColorado.com reported.

"If anyone has got a right to be angry it's probably me," Hickenlooper told the station. "I guess what I feel most is just deeply disappointed."

The mayor said only Marie, her husband and a musical adviser knew what the local jazz singer had in mind.

"What she said was that she was very sorry, that she meant no disrespect, that she was trying to make a creative expression of her love for the country," Hickenlooper said.

But the change in lyrics angered many residents, including City Councilman Charlie Brown.

"I was mad," he told MyFOXColorado.com. "I almost walked off the stage."

Brown said the matter needs to be addressed. "There is no substitute for the national anthem."

TO

freebird · 07-02-2008, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToughOmbre

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

A jazz singer shocked some Denver residents after replacing the words to the national anthem with those of the "Black National Anthem" during the annual State of the City address this week.

Brown said the matter needs to be addressed. "There is no substitute for the national anthem."

TO

Does it have the same music but different lyrics?

Bucksnort101 · 07-02-2008, 02:01 PM

Shows the total disregard and lack of respect to tradition in this country. Everybody has to make something "thier own ". IMHO the National Anthem is something you treat with respect, just sing the song simply without any over embelleshmint as it needs none!

FLYBOYJ · 07-02-2008, 02:08 PM

Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper is a Liberal but likeable guy IMO - he's done a lot of good for the city of Denver and these people made an @ss out of him, but that's what happens when you keep company with a bunch of lefties who have their own agenda.

The next time I take a dump I'm naming the movment "Rene Marie." I'm making "a creative expression of my love for the country."

Torch · 07-02-2008, 03:03 PM

My friend Dave sent this note. Think it says it all..Dear Mayor Hickenlooper,

First of all, I must state that I am not a citizen of Denver, but I am a citizen of Colorado and of the United States of America, and I was and am upset to hear that the individual who was supposed to sing The National Anthem at your "Annual State of the City Address" today in Denver sang what is know as the "Black National Anthem." You and the entire city council, as Americans, should be ashamed that you did not immediately stand-up, correct this wrong, and sing our National Anthem, of which there is only one (The Star-Spangled Banner). You and the Council would have been identified as having taken a stand for patriotism and Americanism. Even your spokesperson provided a weak response afterwards by indicating that you were (I do not have the exact words) surprised by the song that was sung, but that "everyone seemed to enjoy it" -- what a ridiculous response!! And, I just listened to your discussions with Dave and Lois on 850KOA, where you took this offensive event much too lightly, with continual laughs -- you have not represented Denver, Colorado, or The United States well today. You should be ashamed!! It was a sad day for Denver and the State of Colorado.

My comments to you for your consideration:
I am a proud American, having served my country with 7 years of active duty as an enlisted airman and NCO in the United States Air Force, and with an additional 25 years in the Civil Service in the Department of Defense (from a GS-7 Intelligence Analyst to a DISES-3 Senior Executive).
It was a political statement; it was offensive; and she (the singer) obviously intended to do this -- this does not occur as an accident. It was a "calculated decision" by her and perhaps others (on your staff).
If you thought she was going to sing the Star-Spangled Banner afterwards, that would have been wrong also, as it should have been sung first.
I was offended by your continual laugh about this during your discussions with Dave and Lois -- this is not a laughing matter!!
If you had handled this better folks would have responded better to your annual address; you indicated that you were thinking about your speech. Candidly, as someone who should set the example in leadership, you should have been able to handle this situation on-the-fly, and hours later you should be handling this better. It brings into question your leadership!!
You talked about her being a world-class singer; maybe so, but you have demonstrated that you are not a world-class leader.
You need to be accountable, so does the singer, and so does your staff!
By-the-way, what the heck is the "Black National Anthem" anyway? You should know since it was sung on your watch at your meeting? I thought that there was only one national anthem (Star-Spangled Banner) for all Americans. I do not know of a "White National Anthem" and would be offended with this the same as I am offended by a Black National anthem. What if she had sung the Mexican or French National Anthem -- what would you be saying then? It is the same as far as I am concerned.
This is but the latest example of how we are watering-down our commitment to our national and our citizens! It is similar to taking "under God" out of the Pledge of Allegiance. This is the same tone that I see from Obama and many of our other politicians. We need to be proud of the United States, the things that we have accomplished for our citizens, and we need to be setting a more "patriotic tone" for our citizens. Watering-down our patriotism and commitment to our nation and our citizens (not our illegal aliens, etc) is unacceptable. Our leaders are responsible to our citizens of the United States, not the citizens of the world. We come first!!!!

It is now up to you to stand up and do what is right! Accountability is critical, and you need to be setting a more patriotic tone and apologizing that this happened on your watch -- but then again, I'm not sure that you would mean it even if you apologized -- it would just be a calculated decision to safe yourself at this point. And, yes, you should be outraged over this.

Njaco · 07-02-2008, 03:22 PM

I'm voting for Barrack Olabama. NOT!

This is the pride that he and his wife exhibit about the US and its becoming more common-place everyday. The liberals have sided so long with racist, sexist factions that when it comes back to slap them in the face they have no clue what to do.

Be ready everyone. The demise of the USA is next!

JugBR · 07-02-2008, 03:49 PM

can someone post the lyrics of black national anthen ?

ToughOmbre · 07-02-2008, 03:56 PM

Njaco,

Unfortunately, you are correct. We've been on this downward spiral for some time, now it seems we are speeding toward disaster as a country.

As for this "woman" who decided she would sing the "Black National Anthem", let her go sing it in the African jungles.

There's no place for that garbage in the United States of America.

I've had it with this crap!

TO

Bucksnort101 · 07-02-2008, 03:57 PM

I will not post them. If you ask for the lyrics to the AMERICAN National Anthem I would be more than happy to oblidge.

renrich · 07-02-2008, 04:00 PM

If you think this is bad, just wait until you see some of the things that will happen if Hussein Obama becomes president. On the other hand if Obama does not win, there will be a tremendous backlash with all kind of accusations of racism both by the media, the left and many in the black community.

ToughOmbre · 07-02-2008, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renrich

If you think this is bad, just wait until you see some of the things that will happen if Hussein Obama becomes president. On the other hand if Obama does not win, there will be a tremendous backlash with all kind of accusations of racism both by the media, the left and many in the black community.

I'm praying for the "tremendous backlash" and the "accusations of racism" myself.

The United States has never elected a "far-left" president, but I'm afraid that since the majority of folks who vote are morons, it might happen this year.

TO

Bucksnort101 · 07-02-2008, 04:33 PM

[quote]but I'm afraid that since the majority of folks who vote are morons/QUOTE]

C'mon, they are just the product of our fine edumicational sistem in this country.
I wish more people would pull themselves away from American Idol, Pro Sports, and all the other crap on TV and educate themselves on what thier candidate actually beleives in, not the crap they spew for the media, we would be in much better shape. Don't see that happening.

renrich · 07-02-2008, 05:00 PM

TO and Bucksnort, I agree completely. I wish we had a more informed electorate. I am almost despondent for our country that a person like Obama as far left as he is and with as few qualifications as he has may become president.

Njaco · 07-02-2008, 09:34 PM

Quote:

"What she said was that she was very sorry, that she meant no disrespect, that she was trying to make a creative expression of her love for the country,"

This is the key part of this whole mess. Really scary. And if she really meant it, it just shows the cultural mind-set and widening gap between the races. And the leader of this is the current Democratic canidate.

Haztoys · 07-03-2008, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToughOmbre

But the change in lyrics angered many residents, including City Councilman Charlie Brown.

"I was mad," he told MyFOXColorado.com. "I almost walked off the stage."

And I wish he would of ...Thats the problem right here .. Grow some nuts and do something ...You bet I would of.. Or walk up to her and stopped her ..Nuts I got..........Dizzy racist bit%$ch...