Gannon’s athletic department has recently made a change to all its pregame ceremonies.

After “The Star-Spangled Banner” is played at every home sporting event, it will now be followed by “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” otherwise known as the Black national anthem.

After Gannon men’s basketball coach Kelvin Jefferson approached Gannon administration about playing the song prior to each men’s basketball game earlier this year, the administration went even further to say it will play the song before every home event, not just basketball.

As someone who was not aware of this song until recently, I think it is a great addition to the pregame ceremonies at Gannon sporting events.

With everything that has happened in the past year or so with social justice movements and protests, I think playing the Black national anthem is a way for Gannon to show that it is an inclusive university, but more importantly, it shares a song that the Black community clearly cares very much about.

Change is important, and a lot of times is necessary. This country has come a long way in terms of social justice and equal rights, but that battle is not yet over.

If nothing else, it will introduce people to a song that has a very impactful meaning to people in our country.

To bring change in any way, educating and informing people is a necessary step. Hopefully, the playing of this song will give everyone a chance to learn and educate themselves about what this song means to the Black community, whether you are Black or not.

I know it has opened my eyes.

America has been called “the melting pot” due to the many different cultures living together as one nation. That is something we should be proud of.

The more schools and teams that participate in actions like these, the better off we will be. There will inevitably be some who don’t support the playing of the song before games, but we can only hope that the song provides those people with the same inspiration and unity as it does to so many others.

ALEX PEPKE

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