*Jill Scott is catching heat from conservatives for signing her rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner during Essence Fest this past weekend.
We reported previously that Scott’s new Black national anthem about racism is a song she wrote at 19. The lyrics flow as such, “oh say can you see, by the blood in the streets, that this place doesn’t smile, on you colored child, whose blood built this land, with sweat and their hands but you’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 slave[s].”
Scott’s interpretation of the anthem has left many people outraged at her decision to criticize the country in the song.
“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 Representative Lauren Boebert of Colorado tweeted, Newsweek reports. “Shameful.”
“I love Jill Scott. She is the pride of Philadelphia and an icon. This is so heartbreaking for me to see,” pro-Trump political strategist Joey Mannarino wrote on Twitter. “I could name you every song she’s ever done. This might be a bridge too far for me though. So sad to see her go this route. She is so talented. She doesn’t need to go this route.”
Everyone please rise for the only National Anthem we will be recognizing from this day forward.
Jill Scott, we thank you! #ESSENCEFest pic.twitter.com/WrYrP1nhTc
— ESSENCE (@Essence) July 5, 2023
Meanwhile, the Essence music festival commended Scott, calling her song “the only National Anthem we will be recognizing from this day forward.”
One Twitter user commented under the post: “I see a lot of comments of the disapproval of this Anthem!!…That means she hit a nerve with some of y’all!!….welp like they say Truth hurts don’t it?!?!?… @missjillscott….oh & we ain’t going nowhere my Ancestors BUILT this joint!!”
READ MORE: Jill Scott Sang Down Her Rendition of National Anthem At Essence Fest
We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!
