This week soul music legend Gladys Knight raised eyebrows after agreeing to sing the National Anthem for Super Bowl LIII despite the ongoing boycott in support of quarterback Colin Kaepernick who has been blackballed from the league for kneeling during the National Anthem to bring awareness to unchecked police brutality in the Black community [click here if you missed that].
Ms. Knight defends her decision...
Gladys Knight tells Variety
“I understand that Mr. Kaepernick is protesting two things, and they are police violence and injustice. It is unfortunate that our National Anthem has been dragged into this debate when the distinctive senses of the National Anthem and fighting for justice should each stand alone."
“I am here today and on Sunday, February 3rd to give the Anthem back its voice, to stand for that historic choice of words, the way it unites us when we hear it and to free it from the same prejudices and struggles I have fought long and hard for all my life, from walking back hallways, from marching with our social leaders, from using my voice for good — I have been in the forefront of this battle longer than most of those voicing their opinions to win the right to sing our country’s Anthem on a stage as large as the Super Bowl LIII.”Fun Fact: Two years ago Gladys Knight was sued by her own son, Shanga Hankerson, who accused her of being mentally incompetent [click here if you missed that].
