Five hundred Black students at a Jacksonville, Florida, school sang a new song, “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” written by their principal, James Weldon Johnson. The song, which became known as the “Negro National Anthem,” continues to resonate today and is now played at NFL games alongside the National Anthem.
Five hundred Black students at a Jacksonville, Florida, school sang a new song, “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing.” Their principal, James Weldon Johnson , had written the words, and his brother had finished the tune in time to honor Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.
He became executive secretary for the NAACP, a crusader against lynchings and an important voice in the Harlem Renaissance, coining the phrase “Red Summer” to describe the 1919 summer filled with race massacres. The song continues to be recorded by top celebrities, including Beyoncé, and is now being played at NFL games, alongside the National Anthem.As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on support from readers like you to make our work possible and keep our storiesIf you enjoyed this article, please consider donating today to support our award-winning journalism. We may write the stories, butLook for the"Republish This Story" button underneath each story.
BLACK HISTORY SONG NATIONAL ANTHEM HARLEM RENAISSANCE JAMES WELDON JOHNSON
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