Latest news with #LiftEveryVoiceandSing
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Vikings Under Fire Over Male Cheerleaders
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Minnesota Vikings have come under fire for their new male cheerleaders, with some social media users saying they will no longer support the NFL team. Newsweek has reached out to the Vikings outside of regular working hours via email for comment. Why It Matters The NFL has frequently become the focal point of culture wars online over the past few years, with some criticizing it for being too "woke." Social media discourse has been prompted following the displaying of pride flags, the performance of the hymn, "Lift Every Voice and Sing," which is often referred to as the Black national anthem, and performances at the Super Bowl. Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders are seen before the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on November 27, 2023. Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders are seen before the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on November 27, To Know The Minnesota Vikings announced their new cheerleaders in a clip shared to Instagram, captioned: "The next generation of cheer has arrived!" The video features a young male cheerleader in the middle as the group dances. Another male cheerleader, Blaize Shiek, took to Instagram to share that he had joined the squad. "Rookie Year Excited and honored to share that I am officially a 2025-26 Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader! I am so grateful for this journey, the support, and the opportunity to make a little history along the way. I hope to represent and inspire what's possible when you stay true to who you are. MVC Blaize," Shiek wrote in the post. The male cheerleaders have quickly prompted backlash online from MAGA and conservatives. The account @tradwifemom wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter, viewed 12.5 million times: "This is an official Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader this year. I'm so done with this state JFC." The actor Kevin Sorbo wrote in a post on X viewed 29 million times: "I've been a Vikings fan all my life... sigh. I need a new team now." The backlash has not been universal, with many taking to social media to share messages of support for the cheerleaders and to criticize the negative response. The reporter Billy Binion wrote in a post on X viewed over 140,000 times: "I cannot for the life of me understand getting mad at stuff like this. This guy isn't competing in women's sports. He's a man who enjoys dancing & is skilled at it. Probably worked very hard to get there. Getting angry at that is such loser behavior." What People Are Saying @Bubblebathgirl wrote in a post on X viewed over 600,000 times: "Minnesota Vikings has a man as their new lead cheerleader. As if you needed another reason to avoid the NFL and Minnesota." @CitizenFreePress on X in a post viewed over 600,0000 times: "MINNESOTA VIKINGS NOW HAVE TWO MALE CHEERLEADERS. No one asked for this. No one wanted this." @shelbytweten wrote on X: "The fact people are mad about a male cheerleader for the Vikings when cheerleading literally originated in Minnesota as a men's activity in 1898 is comedy." @PaulleyTicks wrote on X: "Do all these MAGAt neanderthals, that are going into full-on conniptions over the Minnesota Vikings introducing TWO male cheerleaders, even realize that college football has had male cheerleaders since the beginning of cheer-leading?" What's Next The Minnesota Vikings may not be the only team to be recruiting male cheerleaders to their squad this season. MLFootball, an account on X which shares news about football, shared a post on X which reads in part, "12 #NFL TEAMS WILL REPORTEDLY HAVE MALE CHEERLEADERS ON THEIR CHEERLEADING SQUAD THIS SEASON" and lists the teams as the Vikings, Ravens, Rams, Saints, Eagles, 49ers, Patriots, Titans, Colts, Chiefs, Buccaneers and Panthers. This list has not been confirmed, but could signal a new era for the face of cheerleading in the NFL.
Chicago Tribune
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Juneteenth in Naperville celebrates freedom while focusing on importance of diversity, inclusion, organizers say
Naperville's fourth annual Juneteenth celebration, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, will be held Saturday at Rotary Hill Park. The free noon-to-3 p.m. event will feature food, music, guest speakers, exhibitors and more, said Naperville City Councilman Benny White, founder of the Naperville Neighbors United, which organizes the gathering. 'Each year seems to get a little bit better,' White said. Juneteenth celebrates June 19, 1865, the day on which Union soldiers brought word to Galveston, Texas, that the war had ended and enslaved people had been freed. It was the last part of the country to be notified of President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. Saturday's events will kick off with the Black national anthem, 'Lift Every Voice and Sing,' sung by 15-year-old Naperville student Isabella 'Isa' Rose. Speakers include White, U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville; state Rep. Anne Stava-Murray, D-Naperville; state Rep. Janet Yang Rohr, D-Naperville; Judy Brodhead, chairwoman of Naperville's Special Events and Community Arts Commission; and Geneace Williams, manager of Naperville's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion department. '(Williams) will be sharing a brief history of Juneteenth,' said event Chair Kim White, who's married to Benny White. In addition to food available for sale, there also will be more than 30 exhibitors on hand, Kim White said. Among them will be Naper Settlement, Naperville Park District, Naperville's League of Women Voters, the Naperville police and fire departments, Grow Wellness Group Foundation, Fry Family YMCA, 360 Youth Services, Naperville Public Library and Indian Prairie School District 204. The group Soul 2 the Bone will perform. 'We would love for people to bring a lawn chair and be ready to celebrate Juneteenth and listen to some great music and maybe get up and do a little dancing,' Kim White said. While a time to celebrate, the event is also an important one for the growing community of Naperville, Benny White said. 'Everyone recognizes that Naperville is one of the top cities to live in,' he said. 'It's become more and more diverse and we really want to celebrate that diversity. It's in our mission statement to be an inclusive community that celebrates diversity and this is one of those ways that we can do it.' It's also an opportunity for community members to meet and learn about each other, he said. 'I think we all recognize and know what Juneteenth is all about … but it's not just for African Americans,' White said. 'This is something that is inclusive for everyone. I've always been one to say it's not just Black history, it's American history, and I think it's something we should all celebrate.' And that's more important now than ever, he added. 'When you see what is going on around the country, diversity, equity and inclusion has really been under attack,' he said. 'For me, in order to really practice diversity, equity and inclusion, we all have to learn about each other and this is another way we can do that. It helps break stereotypes that people have from hearsay or what they see on the news or how it's displayed on television.' Talking to people different from yourself helps promote understanding and foster trust in the community, he said. Multicultural events like Juneteenth, Halal Fest, the India Day parade, the Naperville Hispanic Festival, the Asian Heritage Festival and others will move the community forward and raise awareness of these cultures, he said. 'We are a very diverse community that is becoming more diverse over the years,' White said. 'There will be a point when we are projected to be a majority-minority community. And that's nothing to be afraid of, let's embrace it.' Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom and a powerful reminder of a people who endured unimaginable hardship and the continued work required to ensure equity and inclusion for all, Kim White said. 'I think by honoring Juneteenth, we are affirming that Black history is American history and the pursuit of freedom and justice must be a shared commitment,' she
Fox News
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Black national anthem divides fans before NFL Draft
Before the Tennessee Titans officially selected Cam Ward with the No. 1 pick of the NFL Draft on Thursday night, the Black national anthem was performed on stage in Green Bay. The James Weldon Johnson Foundation's "National Hymn Choir" sang "Lift Every Voice and Sing." NFL fans waiting for the draft to begin took it all in before NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Green Bay Packers greats and Lil' Wayne came out on stage. Social media were left bewildered by the rendition. The Black national anthem has been a mainstay for NFL events since the 2020 season, following a summer of racial tensions across the U.S. The song has been performed at Super Bowls and draft events. Ledisi, a Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter, performed the song before Super Bowl LIX before the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. The NAACP began to promote "Lift Every Voice and Sing" as the Black national anthem in 1917. Ward was the No. 1 pick in the draft after a solid performance with the Miami Hurricanes in his final season in college. The Jacksonville Jaguars then traded up with the Cleveland Browns to select Travis Hunter. The New York Giants selected Abdul Carter, and the New England Patriots took Will Campbell. The Browns decided to take Mason Graham to round out the top five. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Daily Mail
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS NFL fans fume over 'gentrified' rendition of black national anthem at 2025 draft
The NFL choral rendition of the so-called 'black national anthem' at the 2025 Draft had fans seething. A Milwaukee-based choir, the James Weldon Johnson Foundation's 'National Hymn Choir', performed 'Lift Every Voice and Sing,' ahead of the draft in Green Bay Thursday night. The choral arrangement was accompanied by a simple pianist in front of the throngs of fans gathered at Lambeau Stadium. But fans back home were left seething over the 'gentrified' rendition of the song. 'They got whites singing Lift Every Voice and Sing? They done gentrified the Black national anthem,' one furious social media user posted.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Here's a look at the schedule for opening day of the NFL Draft in Green Bay
Fans are arriving in Green Bay as the NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday. Events are scheduled throughout the day, including prospects walking the red carpet on Lambeau Field. If you're not in Green Bay, you can still watch the NFL Draft, which will be televised across multiple platforms. Here's what you need to know about Thursday's opening day schedule. Red carpet: The evening begins with prospects walking the red carpet on Lambeau Field at about 4 p.m., as fans watch from the stadium bleachers. Portions will be televised as part of NFL Network's 'NFL Draft Kickoff' with Kimmi Chex interviewing prospects. Opening festivities from the draft stage: A Wisconsin-based youth choir will perform 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey Redding. Singer-songwriter Stephen Wilson Jr., from rural southern Indiana, will perform the national anthem. The Wisconsin Army National Guard will conduct a flyover of Lambeau Field and the Draft Theater with four Black Hawk helicopters. Packers legends and current players will join NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to welcome fans. Chances of thunderstorms and showers are forecasted for early morning Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. The first day of the draft is expected to see temperatures in the low 60s and a light breeze of up to 10 miles per hour. Forecasters are predicting rain on April 25 after 5 a.m. with skies clearing up early to mid-afternoon, according to the NWS. The NFL Draft starts April 24 and runs through April 26. You can find more NFL Draft coverage here. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: NFL Draft 2025: Opening day Thursday schedule in Green Bay
