Sevyn Streeter was set to perform the national anthem at Wednesday night’s Philadelphia 76ers’ season opener, but that showing did not happen.
Find out why below…
Donning a ‘We Matter’ jersey, the singer-songwriter posted a video on her Instagram regarding her absence in performing. Streeter says the ‘Sixers’ organization deemed her attire as controversial and prohibited her from performing.
In the ‘D4L’ singer’s place, the producers appointed a member of their dance team to sing the anthem, who was coincidentally black.
The 76ers said in a statement:
“The Philadelphia 76ers organization encourages meaningful actions to drive social change. We use our games to bring people together, to build trust and to strengthen our communities. As we move from symbolic gestures to action, we will continue to leverage our platform to positively impact our community.”
Anthem issues have taken over the headlines of the sports world in recent months; case in point San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who elected to not stand as the anthem was being played in protest of the social injustices reigning over America’s people of color (poc).