Comments on: Black National Anthem - Lift Every Voice and Sing

By: Shantell Maxwell

Shantell Maxwell — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:55:57 +0000

I have always loved “Life Ev’ry Voice and Sing”. It really lifts my spirits when I may have had a tough day, it’s just natural for me to sing as I’ve been doing it since kindergarden when it was first introduced to me. I actually started to truly understand it as I’ve gotten older, I’m only 24.
It upsets me that my peers, even my sister, sometimes looks at me like I’m crazy when I sing it, but the truth to me is they’re crazy for not remembering… they would rather learn ridiculous rap lyrics. The youth today will never know about it unless its taught at home because here in New Orleans they’re barely learning on their grade level, but I hope for a better change everyday.

By: Salimatu Hilliard

Salimatu Hilliard — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:33:56 +0000

I absolutely love the Black National Anthem. When I was a kid that was my favorite song to sing. Today I sit here with my daughter and she knows nothing of it. Growing up it seemed to me that it was mandatory to learn this song in school. It seems to me that as time goes on the schools are teaching less and less about black history. It’s ashame because our ancestors fought very hard for us so that we can get to where we are today, and we never show how grateful we are. I to have fallen short, but from this day forth I will make sure that I will never forget where I come. like the song says ” LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING TIL EARTH AND HEAVEN RING.” Those are some very powerful words. meaning that we should never settle we must tell everyone of the good. So people lets’ not forget let’s embrace it and keep it alive.

By: Danielle Lindley

Danielle Lindley — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:43:05 +0000

I think that the Black National Anthem is so incouraging to ALL BLACK people all over the world! -Danielle Lindley a kIPP WAYS SCHOLAR !!!!!

By: Patricia Franklin

Patricia Franklin — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 23:58:27 +0000

I’ve recently gone through racial discrimination and the words of our Black National Anthem really rang true, instead of my just repeating the words at Urban League Annual Banquets and at the Second Baptist Church of Warren, OH. As when I began to think of my weary years and the bitter chast’ning rod, I began to feel just what the song was trying to say. Having grown up in a predominantly white neighborhood for the better part of my childhood, I was like a baby thrown in water; as I had no fear of mingling and playing with my white friends. However, after I grew up and worked in a mid-size factory’s office, I became introduced to racism, without realizing it for over 30 years. However, now I can see that the hope does live on, as I’ve studied civil rights struggles and wins, including Dr. King’s advice for us to continue to stand up for our rights in this multipluralistic society. So we can continue to enjoy the same freedoms as all U.S. citizens.