Congressman Steve Cohen, the Democratic representative from Tennessee, expressed his disappointment towards individuals who chose not to stand for the black national anthem during the Super Bowl. Cohen, who represents a predominantly black district in Memphis, found it offensive that fans in attendance did not show their respect by standing during the anthem.

“Very very few stood at Super Bowl for “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” The Negro National Anthem. Not a pretty picture of Super Bowl crowd,” he tweeted.

Why should they remain standing? It is not our national anthem. Furthermore, implying that it is would be an act of disrespect towards the Star Spangled Banner.

During the Black Lives Matter era, the black spiritual known as “Lift Every Voice and Sing” has been referred to as their national anthem. The congressman acknowledges that in Memphis, most people stand for both anthems – the traditional national anthem and this spiritual. However, critics have accused Cohen of race-baiting and claimed that Democrats have historically used race to create divisions within the nation. Additionally, a black conservative residing in the congressman’s district has countered the argument that there are two anthems. According to this individual, black Americans already have a national anthem, which is “The Star-Spangled Banner.”