“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,” Lake said.
A photo of Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake staying seated during the performance of a song dubbed the “Black National Anthem” during the Super Bowl game on Sunday has gone viral.
Lake, who has refused to concede the gubernatorial race to Gov. Katie Hobbs, was photographed sitting during the playing of the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” unofficially known as the Black National Anthem, at the Feb. 12 Super Bowl game at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Benny Johnson, chief creative officer at conservative organization Turning Point USA and host of “The Benny Show,” shared the photo on Twitter.
The @NFL played two different “National Anthems” tonight. Someone just sent me a photo of @KariLake sitting during the first one. pic.twitter.com/HVdiu5xRBG
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) February 12, 2023
“The @NFL played two different “National Anthems” tonight. Someone just sent me a photo of @KariLake sitting during the first one,” Johnson said.
The photo, at the time of reporting, had over 8 million views.
Lake replied to Johnson’s post with a comment: “I’m just here for THE National Anthem,” sparking a flurry of comments, ranging from supportive to critical.
Lake’s campaign, Kari Lake War Room explained why she chose to stay seated.
Kari Lake War Room explained in a post: “Our girl is against the idea of a ‘black National Anthem’ for the same reason she’s against a ‘white National Anthem,’” namely that “she subscribes to the idea of ‘one Nation, under God.’”
Lake further addressed her decision to stay seated during the performance of the song in a statement to media outlets on Monday.
“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,” Lake said.
“We are ONE NATION, under God. Francis Scott Key’s words ring true for every single American Citizen regardless of their skin color. James Weldon Johnson’s ‘Lift Your Voice’ is a beautiful song, but it is not our National Anthem,” she added.
By Tom Ozimek
