July 02, 2008
E pluribus unum pluribum
The slow-motion dismantling of the United States as an idea continues, the latest sign that those who once sought integration into American society now prefer segregation and disdain comes from Denver.
Mayor John Hickenlooper's annual State of the City address may get more attention for what wasn't included than what was.
At the start of the event Tuesday morning, City Council President Michael Hancock introduced singer Rene Marie to perform the national anthem.
Instead, she performed the song "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," which is also known as the "black national anthem."
When she finished, the audience responded with mild applause. The national anthem was never performed.
Marie told 9NEWS she kept her plans to switch songs quiet until the very last moment. She says only she, her husband and a friend knew she was going to sing something other than the "Star-Spangled Banner."
She says she wanted to express her love of her country by mixing the lyrics of "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" with the melody of the "Star-Spangled Banner."
"When I decided to sing my version, what was going on in my head was: 'I want to express how I feel about living in the United States, as a black woman, as a black person,'" said Marie.
Hickenlooper's staff picked Marie to sing the national anthem. The mayor says he believes Marie did not intrend to offend anyone or make a political statement.
When asked if he was offended, Hickenlooper said, "You know I was more confused and I think I was more – what I was, was disappointed and confused and that's why I wanted to talk to her."
City Councilman Charlie Brown took to talk radio Tuesday afternoon to criticize the absence of the national anthem at the State of the City proceedings.
"There is no substitute for the national anthem, period," Brown said. "And that's what really bothered me. You know when we fly the flag, the American flag, it's always the highest flag, as it should be. And that didn't come across today, that didn't happen today."
In hindsight, both Brown and Hickenlooper say they should have stopped Marie or began singing themselves.
Marie says if she had the benefit of doing it over, she would sing the same song.
When asked if she would apologize for what happened she said, "No I do not."
First, can you think of a better example of the if-it-feels-good-do-it ethos, as well as the it's-all-about-me-24/7 lifestyle than this woman?
"When I decided to sing my version, what was going on in my head was: 'I want to express how I feel about living in the United States, as a black woman, as a black person,'" said Marie.
Newsflash!
No one gives a crap about how you feel, what's going on in your head, your deep thoughts on gender and race -- not there and not then.
The National Anthem is a unifying cultural artifact, traditionally sung at the beginning of public events (much like the Communist "Internationale" is at meetings of Moonbats) as a means of reaffirming our status as American citizens, part of a great nation founded upon the idea that freedom -- as it had never been experienced before -- was something worth fighting to preserve.
Forty years after Francis Scott Key penned the lyrics to the "Star Spangled Banner" on the back of an envelope as he watched a battle during the War of 1812, Americans were once again fighting and dying to preserve the Union, to prevent the nation from flying apart. Brave men fought and with much blood and sweat, steel and shot, ensured that E pluribus unum -- Out of many, one -- was more than the motto of a failed nation.
I find it dispiriting that E pluribus pluribum fails to rouse much in the way of righteous anger. That pathetic excuse of a mayor should have cut that woman off and had her escorted out, then led the audience in the anthem.
Instead, all we got was a Milton Milquetoast, "I was confused and disappointed" whinge.
Given that shame is a foreign concept in modern society (unless you say something deemed politically incorrect), it's just perfect that the singer feels no remorse and would do it again.
Who was it that provided the definitive rebuke to the race pimps, more than 40 years ago?
Right, the Rev. Martin Luther King, who said that he dreamed of the day when his children "would be judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin."
Thanks to Marie Whats'ername and her fellow pigmentocentrists, that day is nowhere near.
But at least we still have the Pledge of Allegiance, right?
Never mind.
Posted by Mike Lief at July 2, 2008 07:00 AM
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Comments
Er, that would be, "E pluribus pluribum."
Posted by: Cicero at July 2, 2008 09:13 AM
Thanks for the correction. The closest I came to receiving formal training in Latin grammar and conjugation was my highschool girlfriend, who attended a private Catholic school and whose family was close with the archbishop.
Oy!
Posted by: Mike Lief at July 2, 2008 10:10 AM