Major League Baseball (MLB) has announced a permanent ban on the performance of the “Black National Anthem,” “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” before games, effective from the start of next season. This controversial decision has sparked significant debate, with supporters claiming it will help promote national unity, while critics argue that it dismisses the ongoing struggles for racial equality and the importance of acknowledging marginalized communities.
For the past few years, MLB has included “Lift Every Voice and Sing” as part of its pre-game ceremonies, particularly on opening day and other special occasions. The anthem was performed as a gesture of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and in support of efforts to combat racial injustice in the United States. The decision to feature the song was part of a broader initiative by the league to take a more active stance on social issues, following protests and calls for reform that were amplified after the murder of George Floyd in 2020.
However, with the announcement of this new policy, MLB is now declaring that “The Star-Spangled Banner” will be the sole anthem played at all league events. The league’s leadership has framed this shift as a move toward unity, insisting that the focus should be on one national identity represented by the American flag and the anthem that traditionally accompanies it. MLB officials have referred to the change as a step toward ensuring that all players, fans, and communities are equally included in the collective American experience, free of divisions based on race, ethnicity, or politics.
“We are one nation, one flag, and one anthem,” said MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred in a statement. “Our policy moving forward is designed to foster unity, while maintaining respect for the diverse backgrounds that make up the fabric of America.”
Despite these statements, the decision has been met with immediate backlash from various corners of the baseball world and beyond. Advocates for racial justice have condemned the ban, arguing that it erases the unique historical and cultural significance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” as an anthem that has long symbolized the struggles and aspirations of Black Americans. Critics assert that MLB is abandoning an opportunity to demonstrate meaningful support for the fight against racial inequality at a time when such solidarity is needed most.
“By removing ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing,’ MLB is effectively silencing the voices of millions of Black Americans who have fought for their place in this country,” said Janelle Harris, a racial justice advocate. “It’s a clear message that the league is more concerned with appeasing a certain section of its fanbase than standing up for what’s right.”
The controversy surrounding this policy is particularly notable in the context of the larger societal debate over the role of national symbols, such as the flag and the national anthem, in sports. Over the last several years, athletes across various sports have used the anthem and the flag as a platform to protest racial inequality and police violence. The most prominent example was former NFL player Colin Kaepernick, who in 2016 famously kneeled during the national anthem to draw attention to systemic racism. His protest sparked a nationwide conversation that eventually reached MLB.
Some MLB players, including those from Black communities, have expressed their disappointment over the ban, seeing it as a missed opportunity for the league to demonstrate continued leadership on social justice issues. However, other players have supported the move, arguing that the focus should be on the shared identity of being American, rather than separating communities through the performance of multiple anthems.
“I think it’s important to recognize that we are all Americans, no matter where we come from or the struggles we’ve faced,” said one MLB player, who requested anonymity. “The anthem is supposed to represent the unity of our country, and that’s what we should be focusing on.”
The decision also raises questions about MLB’s broader commitment to racial justice. While the league has taken steps to diversify its ranks and address issues such as discrimination and inequality, the removal of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” could be seen as a retreat from those efforts, signaling that the league is placing corporate interests or fan preferences above the desire to make a meaningful impact on social issues.
In addition, some critics suggest that MLB’s decision might also be an attempt to avoid further controversy. The league has faced significant pressure in recent years from conservative political figures and certain fan segments who have opposed the use of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at games, claiming that it politicizes sports. By adopting a policy that restricts anthems to the national one, MLB may be trying to reduce potential backlash and focus on its core business — the game itself.
The decision is also part of a broader trend seen across various sports leagues, where national anthems and symbols have increasingly become points of contention in the culture wars. As other professional leagues, including the NFL and NBA, have wrestled with similar debates, MLB’s move is a signal that sports organizations are caught in a delicate balancing act between social activism and maintaining a neutral, inclusive environment for their diverse fanbases.
Moving forward, the real test for MLB will be how it continues to engage with issues of racial inequality, especially given its recent history of addressing social justice. The removal of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” from pre-game ceremonies could become a flashpoint in the ongoing conversation about race, sports, and the role of activism in the public sphere.
As the new policy takes effect next season, MLB’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive environment will be closely watched. Whether this decision will be remembered as a unifying move or a step backward for racial justice remains to be seen.
NOTE: This is SATIRE, it’s Not TRUE
