Yesterday, it was announced that Gladys Knight would be singing the National Anthem during this year’s Super Bowl. The news was met with mixed reviews from people all over.
Following the news, Variety reached out to Gladys to get her stance on the NFL’s treatment towards the Colin Kaepernick.
She said in a statement, “I understand that Mr. Kaepernick is protesting two things, and they are police violence and injustice. It is unfortunate that our National Anthem has been dragged into this debate when the distinctive senses of the National Anthem and fighting for justice should each stand alone.”
She continued:
“I am here today and on Sunday, Feb. 3 to give the Anthem back its voice, to stand for that historic choice of words, the way it unites us when we hear it and to free it from the same prejudices and struggles I have fought long and hard for all my life, from walking back hallways, from marching with our social leaders, from using my voice for good — I have been in the forefront of this battle longer than most of those voicing their opinions to win the right to sing our country’s Anthem on a stage as large as the Super Bowl LIII. No matter who chooses to deflect with this narrative and continue to mix these two in the same message, it is not so and cannot be made so by anyone speaking it. I pray that this National Anthem will bring us all together in a way never before witnessed and we can move forward and untangle these truths which mean so much to all of us.”
As many of us know, Colin Kaepernick has not played in the NFL since 2016 after taking a knee during the National Anthem to peacefully protest against the injustice’s minorities face.
Roommates, what are your thoughts?
