https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2...tional-anthem/
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I am sadden that she is singing the Nation Anthem at the Super Bowl, especially considering the way the NFL has treated Colin Kaepernick and other players taking the knee for justice in America. I would be okay if she sung some other song, such as America, the Beautiful or God, Bless America. I won't be going to another Gladys concert.
Gladys gave some shade to Colin Kaepernick in her latest statement where she was possibly criticized for agreeing to the gig:
Gladys Knight says she not only disagrees with Colin Kaepernick using the national anthem as a protest, but she also says she's been in the game a lot longer than him when it comes to the fight for social justice.
Gladys doubled down on her decision to sing the anthem at the upcoming Super Bowl, saying, "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."
She goes on ... "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."
That said, Gladys does not doubt Colin's intentions ... "I understand that Mr. Kaepernick is protesting two things, and they are police violence and injustice," the 74-year-old legend said in a statement.
Of course, Knight is referencing Colin's decision to take a knee during the 'Star-Spangled Banner' during NFL games. Kap had said the demonstration is intended to put a spotlight on police violence against minorities.
Knight might agree with his message but clearly disagrees with his methods.
"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."
"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."
Kaepernick -- along with his girlfriend, close friends and celebrities -- have been agreed to perform at the Super Bowl. Rap star Common has even called for Travis Scott to pull out of the halftime show.
As for Colin's thoughts on Gladys -- so far, he has not issued a comment.
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Gladys ain't been right since she became a Mormon [[which I think was due to her son or daughter being Mormons, I forget which).
I can't count how many famous singers have sung the National Anthem before sporting events in this country. I do know that I wish that they were not arguing over this particular moment in the public media. I would have much more preferred that Ms. Knight and Mr. Kaepernick had met privately to discuss the matter. Gladys has fought for social and civil rights for decades. Her religious beliefs have nothing to do with anything in my opinion. I applaud her for acknowledging accurately that the protest is about police violence and injustice whereas the President and a certain segment of the population refuse to acknowledge that and try to deflect everything off as disrespecting the Veterans!
I see that there's quite a bit of disagreement with Knight's decision to sing at the Super Bowl due to their anti-African American stances. I've not yet read a comment from her about it. It's not my right to make an assessment but I'm finding it interesting to read the opinions of those who do have the right to do so.
It’s a big chance for her
But I wish she had said no
And I don’t think her explanation is helpful
I'm done with her because of this. Done. Every confederate flag-toting Dixie-loving Deplorable who applauds when cops are acquitted for killing unarmed black people is pointing at her and saying "See. Gladys Knight is with us." I don't care what she said her reasons are, she's mucking up the next phase of the movement she wants to share credit for leading. Keep in mind that in spite of all of her pain [[which is appreciated), we are still nowhere near the finish line. To disparage Kaep and perform at the Super Bowl tells me more than I needed to know about one of my formerly favorite singers.
Her saying "I marched with King" does not help. Sorry Gladys, you're on your own...
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She shouldn't be doing this, but I have an idea that if you tell her that, she's going to do it!
I can't wait to see the GREATEST female vocalist /performer on the planet singing the National Anthem !.... LOVE YOU GLADYS !!!
Does Martha have to stop singing it every morning [[as she claimed in a book she did to exercise her voice)?
???
I don't see anything in Jerry's statement that took away from what she did?
Just that in his mind, it's not a good decision on her part.
But apparently a critical post is dismissing her legacy.
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If your post is aimed at me, then I have no need to relax !....[[ If not, then I apologise) seriously looking forward to seeing Gladys do what she does best next June in the UK, " Singing"... which is what she will be doing at the Super Bowl !.. It what she does !....
Gladys ‘ statement simply tries to justify her singing and gives no insight as to what started all of this and the respect that Mr Kaepernick and others deserve for their courage. I’m disappointed in her.
Nah it's not to anyone. Just in general. Because if this was just about her singing the song, she shouldn't have made a statement. I mean I know I wouldn't. Why bring more attention to it? As Luke said, she wanted to justify why she was singing it and playing egalitarian about it considering the issues we have to why Colin Kaepernick did his protest in the first place.
I don't care if you're a music legend, that doesn't excuse that sometimes, legends can make bad decisions and this was a bad decision by Gladys. Simple as that.
Commenters on both Twitter and Instagram have been criticizing Gladys' decision to do the national anthem. Apparently the responses on IG had Gladys block everyone from commenting! Apparently #MAGATwitter is LOVING THIS... if Gladys thought she was uniting folks, she was sadly mistaken... CHILD...
Gladys will just have to learn to live with the fact that her Super Bowl Anthem performance isn't playing well on Soulful Detroit and by some folks on Twitter...She'll just have to learn to live with it...somehow :confused:…LOL
I love to hear the passion in Gladys voice. Being an old traditionalist as I am, I just hope she doesn't go all over the place with too many vocal acrobatics. I have so many opinions about the "performance" of the national anthem these days at events, but they are too many to name here. All of y'all complaining about "dem dare players not standing" during the anthem, be sure y'all get your butts off the recliner at home to do more than run to the refrigerator for more dip and chips as the anthem is being sung. Be sure you're standing in allegiance also instead of counting how many players are kneeling. I'm just sayin'. Note: My personal belief: it's everyone's right to stand or kneel.
^ Folks who complain about folks not standing up for the anthem don't care for this country either... some folks just don't feel this anthem is theirs... wasn't too long ago when an American anthem was played at the Olympics and the runners who protested used the Black Power symbol... please remember that as some of y'all defend Gladys' decision to sing it. She has that much right to sing it but we have much right not to stand for it or if we do stand for it, do our own salute for our people and not the flag or whatever.
Didn't realize there were two threads.
I love Gladys Knight and the music she has given us for nearly 60 years, but like many entertainers [[not all) she is totally clueless on this political issue. It's not completely her fault that her hard work and devotion has allowed her to live in a different world from the people who love her. While she deserves the fruits of success she has earned, please don't come off apologizing for those of us who are rightfully angry about the injustice that exists in this country. Her privilege has shielded her from what many of us experience continuously.
Colin Kaepernick's protest was never about the flag or the national anthem until those symbols were dragged in with the intent to inflame, by those offended by him exercising his right to protest.
We still and always will love you, Miss Gladys, but learn to see things from perspectives other than the one right before your eyes. I say this as one who also has earned privileges most don't have. I know from whence I came and that everyone's life isn't as easy as mine became.
WADR...In other words..."Gladys...see the world through my narrow lens or you are a traitor to [[fill in the blank)"...Gladys was significantly and positively impacting peoples rights and helping those in need while some of those criticizing her [[including Mr Kaepernick) were wearing Buster Browns, Oshkosh B'Gosh or just a glint in their daddys eye and is boldly rejecting the efforts at extortion. The fact that Gladys loves her country and agreed to honor it by performing the National Anthem at this years Super Bowl is refreshing in todays politically divisive environment. She owes nothing to nobody except herself and her lifelong body of excellence and efforts to make the world a better place. Gladys has spent her life making contribution after contribution and those unfamiliar with her struggles and accomplishments should take a few minutes to learn a bit about her...Gladys is gonna tear it up...Don't like it...don't have to watch it...:rolleyes:
It is what it is! As long as she doesn’t sport a MAGA baseball cap or something like that, I’m fine with it. Although she could have kept the comments about Kaepernick to herself.
I think that's why a lot of folks are now commenting. Before, it was just a few who were upset she was even doing it. The minute she said something, it only added fuel to the fire. Like I said, I don't mind her doing it, but don't explain, just say "no comment". It's not hard to do, really. I understand she wanted to clarify but "bringing back its voice" can mean many things to those who researched the history of the anthem. There's a reason everyone only sings just the two verses and it's not just because it was too long... I speak as someone who hasn't been a football fan in years and hasn't watched anything in the Super Bowl since Beyonce and Bruno Mars were on it [[and that was pre-kneeling before the anthem).
Like I mention, unfortunately, it's become political. You got the activists on one side and the #MAGA Trumpers on the other...
This all reminds me of when celebrities went and played Sun City in the 70s. Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with Gladys Knight singing the National Anthem, she is a legend! She is already in the history books and this will not change much as it relates to the entirety of her career.
Just a sidenote if i may...the anthem was not written aboard a ship in the baltimore harbour but in a tavern on 14th st in d.c.
Thank God the extortionists weren't around when THIS happened...https://youtu.be/5bW5Wf_dH7Q