Denver: "Lift ev'ry voice and sing" versus "Die Stem"

At the closing ceremony of a rugby Test played against Wales recently, Springbok captain John Smit admonished a fan in the crowd who was waving the old South African flag. The skipper correctly pointed out to this gentleman that the Bokke knew who they were playing for and made his displeasure known.

Nation building at its finest.

We are after all South Africans with a constitution, a bill of rights, flag and national anthem that binds us all together.

With this in mind and the huge debate in the United States about patriotism, following General Wesley Clarke’s remarks about U.S Republican presidential contender John McCain’s military service record, I was drawn to a story about the “Black national anthem” coming out of Denver U.S.A

This from KUSA TV:

DENVER — Mayor John Hickenlooper’s annual State of the City address may get more attention for what wasn’t included than what was. At the start of the event Tuesday morning, City Council President Michael Hancock introduced singer Rene Marie to perform the national anthem.

Instead, she performed the song “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” which is also known as the “black national anthem.”

When she finished, the audience responded with mild applause. The national anthem was never performed.

Governor Bill Ritter (D-Colorado) discussed the incident on The Mike Rosen Show on 850 KOA on Wednesday morning, calling it “inappropriate.”

This has caused quite a stir (to put it mildly) in the city and the state.

The singer, Marie, told 9NEWS she kept her plans to switch songs quiet until the very last moment. She says only she, her husband and a friend knew she was going to sing something other than the “Star-Spangled Banner.”

She says she wanted to express her love of her country by mixing the lyrics of “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” with the melody of the “Star-Spangled Banner.”

The question is: Was Marie simply expressing her feelings for the country she loves or was this very irresponsible?

In terms of South Africa should we ever allow communities to revert to “Die Stem?” Would this be an expression of certain communities’ love of South Africa or seriously irresponsible? What about De La Rey or Lethu Mshini Wami?

Just to avoid any question of fence sitting: In order to have a united South Africa I am for the flag, national anthem, constitution and bill of rights and nothing that inflames the people of our country. (As well as the Springboks, Proteas, Bafana Bafana — please remember your brown bag to cover your face while admitting this — Blue Bulls, Bucs and Derby County).

Racism can never be condoned but this week only you are allowed to abuse the All Blacks.

Go Bokke! Make us proud!