Scott's revised lyrics, 'This is not the land of the free, but the home of the slaves,' has upset conservatives.
Singer-songwriter Jill Scott's version of"The Star-Spangled Banner" made headlines after she performed it Sunday at New Orleans' Essence Festival. The annual music festival, which takes place over the Fourth of July weekend, is one of the largest African-American music events in the U.S.
Scott's rendition refers to the Black experience in America by changing the lyrics to"Oh, say, can you see, by the blood in the streets, this place doesn't smile on you, colored child. Whose blood built this land with sweat and their hands. But we'll die in this place and your memory erased. Oh say, does this truth hold any weight? This is not the land of the free but the home of the slaves.
But while some commended Scott for her take on the song, others were angered by her decision to use the anthem to express a critical view of America. "No one should use the National Anthem to express their hatred for America. Too many men and women have sacrificed their lives for our great nation to tolerate this," Republican RepresentativeJill Scott sings at New Orleans' Essence Festival on June 30. She has been performing a controversial version of the national anthem with the line"This is not the land of the free but the home of the slaves.
This is not the first time Scott has performed this version of the anthem, but Sunday marked her highest-profile performance of the song. She's performed it while touring this year, and on Sunday she revealed that she wrote the lyrics 32 years ago when she was a teenager living in North Philadelphia.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jill Scott's remixed national anthem goes viral after performance at Essence FestivalJill Scott performed a rewritten 'Star-Spangled Banner' this week. Its closing line: 'This is not the land of the free, but the home of the slave.'
Read more »
Jinger Duggar Hangs Out With Jill and Jana After Docuseries DramaJill Duggar and her sister Jinger Duggar have both been outspoken about growing up in their ultra-conservative family
Read more »
Jill Lepore: How to stave off constitutional extinctionEvery Fourth of July, Americans celebrate independence, but it might be more significant, more pregnant with meaning, to celebrate amendment — the writing, ratifying and especially the amending of constitutions. Except lately there hasn’t been much to celebrate, with amendment having become a lost art. And a constitution that can no longer be amended is dead.
Read more »
Jill Wagner To Headline ‘Bringing Christmas Home’ For Great American FamilyEXCLUSIVE: Jill Wagner has booked another holiday movie for Great American Family. The star of A Merry Christmas Wish and Christmas Miracle For Daisy will join Paul Greene (I’m Glad It’s Christmas,…
Read more »
Scott Burns: My ‘small world’ connection to chart-topping Taylor SwiftIt truly is a small world, as columnist Scott Burns explains in detailing his ever-so-slight connection to best-selling singer Taylor Swift.
Read more »
United Airlines will have to change or reduce schedule at Newark, CEO Scott Kirby saysUnited Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said the carrier will have to change or reduce its schedule at one of its main hubs as it works to get more gates.
Read more »