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It is an outrage and an insult to this country. Before this the last ethnic "National Anthem" was Deutschland Uber Alles and this racist diddy ranks up there with it. There is one America and one anthem for whites, blacks, hispanics, Asians and every group that unlike this doesn't exalt any race. The only difference between her and the KKK is that her sheets are on her bed.

She might be an obama supporter.

This is definitely an outrage. How dare she change the lyrics of the National Anthem? It is the song of our COUNTRY....not of our individual ethnicities, races or heritage. I am totally disgusted by her actions.

Sunny,

why do you assume she is an obama supporter? please due tell? and if she is what does that prove?
Why is this national news again? An artist did something odd, okay, isn't that what we expect of artist these days.

I'm being rhetorical on the last point b/c I know why every black person that does something will make news this year. I'm sure Jake tapper is calling the Obama camp for a response to some obscure singer from denver who he has never met. Great. O'well, It's the fourth, let just love our country and celebrate. Some of us are just tired.

Huge outrage!!

She was hired to do what??? Sing the National Anthem!

Not change the words and sing some black thing.

I hope she was contracted to sing and she can be gone after for breech of contract. That will teach her, and rightly so.

No mesq. It isn't what we expect of artists these days. Their behavior as an 'artist' isn't excused if they screw off. They are professionals too, act like it.

It's no doubt she is an Obama supporter because she said she was encouraged to sing the black national anthem in light of Obama's upcoming visit to Denver in August for the Democratic National Convention.

She did it for her personal gain.

This is the reason I am afraid of voting for Mr. Obama because I do not know where he truly stands on the issues. On the other hand I am afraid of McCain because I know where he stands on the issues. So was this Jazz singer, she was confused as to what she needed it to deliver. We are Americans before we are White, Black Hispanic, Asian and whatever. If we do not understand that then we need a civil war.

Complete outrage especially since she did it to the tune of the national anthem. What was she thinking? Not everyone is black and what she did is a disgrace to our country.

Huge outrage! Just an inkling of things to come! Scary!

Huge outrage! Just an inkling of things to come! Scary!

Good For Her!

Putting completely different words to a song so revered for personal gain is an outrage. That was not what was asked of her if they can't find someone to accomplish what is asked they need to keep looking.

It was an outrage. However, the bigger outrage was her haircut.

WE HAVE ONE NATIONAL ANTHEM! FOR ALL
IT WAS AN OUTRAGE!!

This is an outrage. The Mexicans are not going to change American values, why to the black think they are going to? Blacks keeps singling themselves out all the time and fuel the fire. GO BACK TO AFRICA if you want to be African so much.

This makes me sick. Why can't we just all get along. The answer is in the comments above.

This is an OUTRAGE! This is only the tip of the iceberg.

That is not the NATIONAL ANTHEM. I cannot believe someone would confuse those words with what are nation stands for. She needs to know that this is America and you cannot play the race card anymore.

She woke us up - good

That was an outrage!

She was defintely out of line for doing that. She was asked to sing the national anthem, if she could not do that then she should have declined the invite. It was not about her need to express herself as a black person.

This is exceedngly offensive. She knew it was wrong to sing that song or she would have told people upfront what she was up to. It was the fact that she snuck it in the proves that she knew it was wrong. This was obnoxious and ignorant to the people forced to listen to it.

Lord Help us. Its only the begining if Obama gets elected

As long as we're on the subject of 'America belongs to all Americans', I'm curious to know how much outrage y'all are saving for the Confederate Flag flying over American state capitols? Or are the rules about the flag different than the rules about the anthem?

If someone is asked to sing the National Anthem and they agree, they should sing what they were asked and agreed to sing. Once again a person thinking only of themselves and we wonder about the state of our world

Maybe I'm naive but I don't see it as an outrage at all. I think the fact that she put it to the tune of our national anthem shows her patriotism and I say power to her. I thought it was a respectful performance.

Just my two bits.

It was done to draw eyes at the Black Community.

You know if they had an Objection to the National Anthem Al Sharpton, Jessie Jackson would of Throw fits for years about it.

They also would of lobbyied Washington long before now, to change the words, add something or object to it. Which would be the proper thing to do.

They should not of paid that woman if she was getting paid for that. She was to sing the National Anthem not her song.

This was definately wrong for her to sing the national antheum the way that she did. She is in the US and should act like this is the United States.

This was definately wrong for her to sing the national antheum the way that she did. She is in the US and should act like this is the United States.

This was definately wrong for her to sing the national antheum the way that she did. She is in the US and should act like this is the United States.

Here interpretation of the national anthem was tasteful and wonderful. I could only be and "outrage" to those who's only taste is in their mouths.

Much ado about nothing. With the economy tanking, unemployment rising, a never-ending war being waged and a presidential election looming I can't believe that there are people out there directing their energy toward something as inconsequential as this.....

That is an outrage. How can someone get away with insulting our National Anthem.
In other countries you get imprisoned for defaming the flag or national anthem or pledge of allegiance.

This is a huge outrage. As mentioned, there is one national anthem for ALL. If this was a white person singing something known as the "White National Anthem" Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and the ACLU would be filing law suits.

Nagger!

Look. You're either an American or you aren't. No Black national anthem, No white national anthem, no Asian, Latino, Gay, Straight, Male or Female National anthems. To do otherwise sets us apart, and is a vehicle for divisiveness.

I don't want to over react. A simple pistol whipping and deportation to another country of her choice would suffice.

This was an outrage! I get so sick of hearing "poor us, we are black" So what?! Everyone has an equal chance, just what you do with it.
There is only ONE National anthem, and that wasn't it!!

This is another stellar example of how this country is being divided instead of coming together. People preach that they want to have equality but yet they continue to take two steps backwards for every step forward by separating. If we are true Americans, we are of one. Which means that we have one national anthem. We should not have a National Anthem for each ethnicity if we are truly trying to have on United America.

She was not invited to sing the Black National Anthem, so it's an outrage.

Oh goody! Now we all know what it feels like to be a black woman in America! It feels like you have to act out.

absolutely racist.. a white taking pride in their race is considered racist so the same should be applied to a black

What in the world would lead one to believe it is acceptable to substitute "a song that describes how it felt to be a black woman in America" for our national anthem? America is not about the triumph of one culture over another, it is about respect for all..
e pluribus unum. Is this what Obama's candidacy is bringing - Million Man March euphoria?

I like artistic freedom. I'm in support of the song.

Isn't that breach of contract?
Where will this end?

Totally outrageous and out of place. An insult to all Americans, including her but she is obviously to thick between the ears to realize it.

As a veteran I have put my life on the line for people like Ms. Marie to express themselves freely and in the manner they see fit. While I am personally offended with her decision (I have lost many close friends and brothers in arms who gave their lives so that she can continue to express her voice), I am ultimately grateful to live in a land where such freedom exists. Even after more than 200 years, it is still very much the home of the Free and the Brave...

Unacceptable, enough said.

It is an outright insult to our country and I am personally insulted by her. We are ALL Americans and there is only one National Anthem. She should have been stopped as soon as someone realized that she was not singing our National Anthem. Proud to be an American.

I think it is outragous! She was asked to sing the Natioal Anthem not rewrite one. The Anthem is for the entire country irregardless of race, creed or color.

I do believe that the only way for us as a country to move on from racial divisions is to unite as one nation. But beyond that when you are hired to do something you do what you are paid for. I wouldn't say it was newsworthy, just frustrating. It is senseless to bring Obama into this, in fact it is ridiculous to.

I think it is outragous! She was asked to sing the Natioal Anthem not rewrite one. The Anthem is for the entire country irregardless of race, creed or color.

WHAT! Is everyone going crazy! She is not unAmerican, she is an American and just too throw it back in your uneducated faces, she is protected by the first amendment. How dare you racists make this a racist issue, get educated people, your ignorance is showing.

It is an outrage - there is only ONE National Anthem. No one alters America's National Anthem for their own use and selfish ambition!

OUTRAGE!

Outrageous...the national anthem is a song that celebrates and reveres our country's pride and patriotism. To change the words for personal or political gain is simply heinous. The song is meant to be a source of pride for all of us as Americans...not just African, Mexican, purple-polka-dotted, or any other kind...simply Americans.

She's an American, regardless of her race, sex, etc...we've heard it all before.. Honestly, it's Freedom of Speech..What can we do to her? Press charges for changing the words? There's no need to dig further into this. No one on the face of the earth who is not Black will ever know what it's like to be Colored Black...She is an example of a true self-fulfilled human being. Let her sing..leave it alone..forget about that..what is AMERICA doing about the economy..Why doesn't ABC bring up daily rants and raves about our economy, gas prices, homelessness,poverty, Seniors losing Medicare benefits..etc..Talk about the things that really matter..

While I would have preferred to have had this gifted singer sing BOTH these inspiring songs, I can appreciate her artistic expression. LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING is a beautiful song -- beautiful lyrics set to uplifting music. I am amazed that she was able to make it fit the challenging musical structure of O SAY CAN YOU SEE. Both the national anthem and Lift Every Voice and Sing in an ideal world could have been sung. It certainly makes us think that we have some ways to go in achieving racial peace in our country. I am not offended, although I will admit, it was a surprise. Maybe it shows that we are a big country with room for both!

It is an absolute outrage and insult to all the soldiers dying around the globe. As a 21 year veteran (and still serving) of the US Army, I am apalled that she chose to do such a thing.

That is the problem with this country these days. Most people only care about themselves and there is no commitment to the nation.

What a sad thing that was to see. She should be ashamed.

I think there is a time and a place and this was NOT the time or the place. She was asked to sing the NATIONAL Anthem and she changed it to her own personal agenda! I think this did and should greatly offend most americans. I am outraged!!!

Outrage. If black people want to be treated like a part of society, they have to stop separating themselves from society. As long as they insist that they are "African Americans" and not just "Americans" we'll have this divide.

I think it was a disgrace. We are all citizens of the United States of America and she was asked to sing our (meaning hers also) National Anthem which is "The Star Spangled Banner". Not whatever she sang. Her trying to make a statement only said she was being disrespectful to her and our country. This is a good example why there is a lack of unity and solidarity for our great country we live in. Take ownership of the great freedom and country we have, be a part of it instead of trying to seperate us.

I see this as an outrage, remember a short time ago the spanish version of the national anthem drew the same type of reaction. In the event that Mr. Obama is victorious, I believe there will be more of this type of outrage with the obvious empowerment of Black Americans. This is a devise act when the country sincerely needs unity.

This is completely unacceptable. I am so sick and tired of these types of "statements" that are made by the African American community. For how many years now have the African American community been complaining about not being treated equally as everyone else. Well I can tell you why this is. The African Americans do the most ridiculous things to get attention which draws more negative attention then anything. If they would just shut up for once and a while and not go on and on saying " Oh we are black so that means we are persecuted each and everyday." Note to the African American community if you want to have equal opportunity then quit doing the stupid things that so much of you do. Note to the women that decided she is black and proud and disgraced our country for singing that horrible song, GO BACK TO AFRICA !!!!!

She didn't wake us to anything. Her antics serve only as a reminder that if you cry "race" your behavior will always be excused.

Someone should have unplugged her microphone and escorted her out of the room.

That was an outrage. We have one National Anthem. If they don't like our country go to another one.

This was wrong for her to sing our nationl antheum the way that she did. All of the black people think they can change everything because Oboma is running for President. I hope and pray he doesn't win.
Ann Smith

What a refreshing approach to the National Anthem! Rather than the war images from the 19th Century, we should adopt the uplifting lyrics of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" as the NEW National Anthem for the 21st Century.

This event should not be subjected to partisan political *hi* slinging, but seen as a much needed recast of our national image at a time when we are percieved to be an empire in decline.

Definitely an OUTRAGE!!! No Respect for what the National Anthem stands for or what it means to people

Just wait America...if you elect Obama this is what we'll see in the news every night. It's a disgrace.

It was an outrage! She was asked to sing the National Anthem. The one that is for all Americans -- not just blacks. Why is there even such a thing as the "Black National Anthem"? What would the blacks say if we had a White National Anthem? It's time they stop making themselves victims.

It's an outrage. This is what is wrong with our country. Everyone here wants it to be about "them", well, it about THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. If you don't like what our country was built on, then I suggest you leave. Our nation was founded under God, English is our language, and if you don't want to learn the language and accept our foundation, then LEAVE. We are acceptable to your hertiage, your religion, but we should never accept anyone changing what the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS.

OUTRAGE!! that was just un called for, if there was a such thing called a white national anthem, and a white woman would have done that, Jesse Jackson would be all over that saying were not moving forward in todays society, but thats the way the world is these days

The national anthem belongs to us all. Her interpretation and lyrical changes are her birthright as an American. No one should have been offended by it. I'm not sure why she didn't share her plans with the event organizers. They may have a contractual issue with her performance, but lawyers can surely work something out.

She was hired to do what??? Sing the National Anthem! She did it for her personal gain. Complete outrage especially since she did it to the tune of the national anthem. What was she thinking? Not everyone is black and what she did is a disgrace to our country.

In my opinion, she is out of line. She was asked to sing the national anthem, which includes the tune and the words, not one without the other. It shows a double-standard and disrespect to the country as a whole. White Americans could not do that and get away with it. If a white person created a "White National Anthem", the black community would be outraged and declare racism.

She was hired to sing the national anthem, not to express how it felt to be a black woman in America, Mr. Moran. I wonder how folks would feel if someone started singing Dixie at a town hall meeting in Detroit, Michigan, or any of a number of countless towns around this great country?

She did not perform as requested, and she got her 7.5 minutes of fame, and I hope she uses them well.

I'm not here to debate whether or not she's an Obama supporter, or turn this into some raging political debate, as most of the folks here will probably do.

As far as your question, its just another example of how its okay for blacks to display overt racism under the guise of "being a black man/woman in America today" and having the national media not only glorify, but question whether or not in fact its okay and rational for a black person to insult white persons living in the same America she's in.

Someone needs to tell her to suck it up...Plenty of folks don't have as much as she's been blessed with, and they don't share her color, or her backstory...

If your white she was wrong , if your black she was your hero
iam neather and hope she and all other blacks that want to be separate from the rest of us please leave and go home

Highly inappropriate.

She was asked to sing the anthem, not something else. She sould be honest and decline if she could not do so. A backdoor agenda is just not appropriate.

ok i think that what she did was wrong and she should have told people she wasn't going to sing the actual national anthem and make so many people angry at her for doing that. she did a very rrrrrude thing.

The United States has a NATIONAL anthem, not a racial anthem! The changing of the words were disrespectful to the original author, the American citizens, and all that heard it.

Stupid, disrespectful, and dishonest. Obviously, she knew it was wrong to do or wouldn't have done it that way.

What part of sing the national anthem did she not understand? That's what she was paid to do, not make some political or racial statement. If you can't do that, then don't agree to it.

Bob had a little lamb, little lamb, little, BOB had a little lamb who's fleece was made of 90% polyester and 10% acrylic. Doesn't have the same snap. Don't mess with what works. Sheesh.

You know....I agree with Rafael....we are all Americans first! And I do worry about a civil war and do worry about what will happen after the election. But I still can't believe this lady did this and it's suppose to be okay. She did this for her own personal gain.

An outrage.....totally and completly out of line. She should have been stopped the instant the first words were sang and it was not our National Anthem. This was an insult to our country and the American People.

In response to Me Posted July 3, 2008 @ 12:09_30 AM

If all Americans went back to where they originated, Native Americans should be living on Park Avenue!

Black people need to get over being black and focus on being American. If they want to be "African" they can go back to Africa. They won't do this so they need to work on being American and accept our values, beliefs, lifestyle.

Wouldn't like to happen to my Irish National Anthem

Personally I do not think this is an outrage. It is artistic expression. What we should be outraged about is the state of our economy. Not someone who was asked to sing the national anthem. To her, she was singing the national anthem. The Negro National Anthem!

There is no such thing as the black national anthem. There is only one National Anthem for all Americans, and this is an outrage to America.

I am so outraged!!!! We have only one anthem.

It's an outrage! We need to return to the principles of our founding fathers.

This was an outrage. The American National Anthem needs no help or editing. The words are eloquent enough.
Its a shame so many groups of people in America are always running away from their American heritage..

I'm a proud Black American.. America is far from perfect, but I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.. God Bless America..

I think it is time this country comes out the dark into the 20th century. Put the Declaration Independence and the Constitution in a museum and rewrite for the total race after all they where not written for African American or the Native Indigenous people of this great country. Since whites did write them and natives where not even classified as humans you called them savages and blacks where classified as slaves property with no rights.
This is the 20 th century by the way why does skull and bones cult exist with stolen bones.

I don't mind if she forwarned everyone what she was going to do, but the fact was that she did not. She "ambushed" everyone with her 'freedom of expression'. She should be fined multiple times what she was supposed to have been paid for that gig for breach of contract.

While it was a surprise, when I realized what she was doing, I thought it was an interesting creative axample of the amalgamation of two cultures i*****rica who changed this country and who have fought each other endlessly since America began.

And yes, I'm an Obama supporter, not because he's black, but because he appears to be sensible, competent, with similar credentials to leaders who we put out faith in and still maintain that faith, even though some of them have wholly ruined parts of this great country.

If we cannot understand and make room for the fact that this country has always been made of difference and that one voice can't be the deciding one, then we won't last much longer. Times change; change with them or be plowed over by them.

I'm outraged that everyone's so outraged about FREE SPEECH. This is America, you knuckleheads! Let her sing!!!