Denasia Lawrence sang the national anthem at the Miami Heat/Philadelphia 76ers game yesterday but most people aren’t talking about how good she sang. Lawrence drew the attention of everyone in the arena, as well as social media when she took a knee just before singing and opened her blazer to reveal a t-shirt that said “Black Lives Matter”. She explained in a Facebook post as to why she took the opportunity to do that.
@IamJoeSports
When I took the opportunity to sing the national anthem at the Heat game, it was bigger than me. Right now, we’re seeing a war on Black & Brown bodies— we’re being unjustly killed and overly criminalized. I took the opportunity to sing AND kneel; to show that we belong in this country AND that we have the right to respectfully protest injustices against us. I took the opportunity to sing AND kneel to show that, I too, am America. As a social worker, I’ve worked with youth, families and veterans, and everyday they all teach me the value of fighting against injustice— that all are treated equally no matter their race, gender, sexual orientation, or physical abilities.
I didn’t get paid to sing the national anthem; nor was this moment about any sort of fame. Black Lives Matter is far larger than a hashtag, it’s a rallying cry. And until our cry is rightfully heard, protests will still happen and demands will still be made!
Heat players and coaches stood side by side for the anthem, with their arms linked, as has been their custom during the preseason.
The team released a statement saying they had no prior knowledge that Lawrence was going to do that.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “Throughout all of this, I think the most important thing that has come out is the very poignant, thoughtful dialogue. We’ve had great dialogue within our walls here, and hopefully this will lead to action.”
Guard Wayne Ellington, who lost his father two years ago to gun violence and routinely speaks out about gun control, had his eyes closed for most of the anthem Friday, as per his own custom, though he was aware of Lawrence’s actions.
“At the end of the day, to each his own,” Ellington said. “If she feels like that’s the way she wants to stand for it, then more power to her.”
