The Philadelphia 76ers are acknowledging that they were in the wrong when the team canceled Sevyn Streeter‘s performance of the National Anthem this week when she wore a jersey that said “We Matter” to the game.
The organization issued a statement on Twitter apologizing to Streeter and offering her the opportunity to perform the “Star-Spangled Banner” at an upcoming game of her choice.
So far, no response from the singer on social media.
(This article was first published October 27, 2016 and is as follows.)
Mere minutes before Sevyn Streeter was set to perform the national anthem at the Philadelphia 76ers’ season opener last night (October 26), the songstress, who wore a “We Matter” jersey, said she was told not to perform the song. The NBA team was set to face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Shortly after receiving word of the decision, Streeter shared the news with fans on Twitter.
“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,” she said in a video uploaded yesterday.
Streeter further elaborated on what went down during her interaction with the team, while speaking with the 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,” Streeter said. “I was never given any kind of dress code. I was never asked beforehand to show my wardrobe.”
The R&B musician said she was greatly troubled following the organization’s decision to nix her performance.
“I was angry, extremely, extremely angry and disappointed and honestly brought to tears by all of it. It broke my heart,” she said. “Honestly, I was very excited about being able to perform the national anthem. I was really looking forward to that.”
The 76ers, who had a cheerleader perform the “Star-Spangled Banner,” have issued a statement on the matter, but did not directly address Streeter’s canceled performance.
“The Philadelphia 76ers organization encourages meaningful actions to drive social change,” the statement said. “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.”
Sevyn Streeter’s canceled national anthem performance took place at the same 76ers game Brooklyn rapper Desiigner was booed at due to his halftime performance.
The national anthem has been a hot topic, especially since San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick started protesting the song by kneeling during NFL games. His actions were imitated by several across the league and the NBA has anticipated similar demonstrations as the season begins.
Most employees in America would be fired if they opted to use their employers’ times to promote a political agenda. No idea why Sevyn Streeter feels she should be accommodated differently.
She is not aan employee she was contacted about singing she doesn’t represent the team. So 76ers owners should’ve thought about who they choose if they have a political agenda of their own.
It’s not a matter of being employee in the technical sense. She was clearly paid to perform a certain function. It isn’t possible to codify against all contingencies. Her agreement probably didn’t stipulate that she couldn’t perform naked or in a clown suit. There is an acceptable band of attire for any function. The entity paying her felt that her attire would bring undue distraction from the performance and opted to not proceed with her performance.
Haha, many white people still think they are masters to control people. Don’t back down or apologize Sevyn.its expected from fear filled whites. Don’t cry, its just a stupid song anyway
If you’ve ever worked before, you would know that employers pay employees to do what the employer wants, not what the employee wants. Sevyn Streeter is free to do whatever she wants on her own time.
The ideology is strong in here. Productivism abounds.
Smh white America won’t et lack people support a movement but ok seeing them take a knee just saying…
Nah, it has more to do with policies of a company. I can’t walk around work with political attire as well, regardless of whatever my stance is on current issues. That’s how it is in the corporate world. A basketball organization is still a company at the end of the day.
Idiots like her and Kaepernick need to do that bullshit on their own time not on their employer’s clock, it would be like wearing a Trump shirt to a McDonald’s shirt or something, is she really that fucking stupid?
Wow.Didn’t know we had so many corporate dick slaves on this site. This is exactly why companies think upper management can make millions while barely paying the workers a living wage. You losers are begging corporations to take all of your rights and freedom.
It’s probably the reason why you don’t have a decent salary. Either that or you’re still in HS and will eventually be a broke ass adult.
Is it safe to assume that you’re an affluent entrepreneur who is not accountable to anyone? Didn’t think so. @Truth is probably correct.
That’s what she gets! Trying to gain as much attention as she can. Plus who TF is this bitch anyways. Should’ve had Queen Latifah singing the National Anthem!
We shouldn’t be singing that be anthem anyways…
Blacks should sing the national anthem of the non-US countries that love them so much, the one who pays for their welfare and allows them the opportunities to become millionaires.
So… just about anywhere in Europe?
“Minutes before Sevyn Streeter was set to perform the national anthem at the Philadelphia 76ers’ season opener last night, the songstress, who wore a “We Matter” jersey, said she was told not to perform the song.”
The 76er’s Organization sent a very clear message that “No, you do not matter.”
Good sick of black people promoting segratiation and asking for special treatment.
Fuck outta here you lame, there’s real issues that need to be addressed, if you can do it through whatever medium or platform, that alright. Let me know how the klan initiations went dick head
There certainly are real issues which need to be addressed. That doesn’t mean an employer should allow employees to do it on the employer’s time.
Don’t even acknowledge them Sevyn… go sing the racist national anthem for another team.
Damn, I didn’t we had so many klan members on this site
When someone pays you to do something, they have the right to have input into your conduct whilw you’re performing that function. If you don’t underhand this, you will never succeed.
So, they canceled her performance due to her jersey, but they allow Desiigner to “perform” his shitty song/have a seizure on stage ?