I had to do a quick reality check to verify if I had traveled back in time to the 1940’s after reading what the 76ers NBA team had just done to R&B singer, Sevyn Streeter. Many of us old schoolers probably aren’t familiar with Streeter, but since this topic is one that reminds us of the pre-civil rights era, we’ll introduce you to her because she’s a new schooler who just got a dose of a Old School discrimination.
Sevyn Streeter was scheduled and all set to perform the National Anthem at Philadelphia 76ers game on Friday and here’s what she said brought her to tears just 2 minutes before she was about to go out and perform (via Associated Press):
“I’d say two minutes before we were about to walk out … the organization told me that I could not wear my shirt while singing the national anthem at their game,” Sevyn Streeter stated “I was never given any kind of dress code. I was never asked beforehand to show my wardrobe.” “I was angry, extremely, extremely angry and disappointed and honestly brought to tears by all of it. It broke my heart. Honestly, I was very excited about being able to perform the national anthem. I was really looking forward to that.”
She also shared a video message as soon as the 76ers treated her like a stepchild and it’s clear to see that her eyes were bloodshot from crying over the incident:
“I’m at the 76ers game to sing the national anthem. And the organization is telling me that I can’t because I’m wearing a ‘We Matter’ jersey.”
Was suppose to sing the anthem at @sixers & @okcthunder game but mins b4 @sixers said I couldn't because I was wearing a "We Matter" jersey pic.twitter.com/wjoJN3rq0r
— Sevyn (@sevyn) October 27, 2016
TEAM PLAYERS WERE PISSED AT 76ERS ORGANIZATION FOR DOING SEVYN STREETER DIRTY
After the incident, the team players gathered to try to figure out what type of actions they should take to stand up against the organization for denying Sevyn Streeter and her “We matter” jersey:
“Everybody expressed their emotion about it,” forward Robert Covington stated. “We want to take steps about it. We just don’t know exactly what steps we want to take. We talked about a lot of different things.”
76ERS APOLOGIZE TO SEVYN…TOO LITTLE TOO LATE!
After the 76ers players let the organization know that they were very disappointed in them for not allowing Sevyn to perform while wearing whatever the hell she wanted to, the 76ers execs issued a public apology:
“We are sorry that this happened. After receiving feedback from our players, basketball operations staff and ownership group, we believe the wrong decision was made, and Sevyn should have been welcomed to sing. We apologize to her, and in an effort to move the conversation forward, we have reached out to offer her an opportunity to return and perform at a game of her choice. We are waiting to hear back.”
teh 76ers got one the 76ers dancers to sing in Sevyn Streeters place at the last minute…
So I ask, is this 1946 or 2016? Because based on how one still cannot peacefully exercise their freedom of speech, it’s hard to differentiate between the eras. Especially after witnessing an R&B singer be discriminated against because she wears a jersey that protests being discriminated against. The ignorant irony in that is incredible, don’t you think?
