THE US REPORT

More than 700 people gathered for Denver mayor John Hickenlooper’s (photo at right)  State of the City address heard a revamped US National Anthem when vocalist Rene Marie opted to sing ‘Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing’ set to the tune of the actual national anthem. Hickenlooper told The Rocky Mountain News, "She blended the two songs together. She was trying to make an artistic expression of her love for the country. She did not intend to make a political statement or anything." Aside from having a name that challenges the tongue when speaking it aloud, Hickenlooper comes up a little short in the common sense department. He’s instituted a turn-the-thermostat up program but I noticed he asked for some cool air. Typical progressive politico.

Of course the singer was making a political statement. Racism is all the rage right now, the politically correct topic revived from the 1960s for angst-filled progressives filled with ideals about helping masses not a single one of which they’d probably invite over for dinner.  The singer was also doing a great p.r. job for herself, knowing absolutely she was creating an event that would expand her brand. Welcome to our media-driven culture.

Stuffing that lovely poem into the marching band character of  'The Star Spangled Banner' unfortunately marred both works and challenged the vocalist's abilities/range. Some say ‘Lift Ev’ry Voice’ is the Black national anthem. Some say, ‘Dixie’ is the Southern national anthem. Will someone sing ‘Dixie’ for the crowd at next year’s Denver State of the City Address, coincidentally in a city with a population comprising 11 percent African-Americans? Silly question isn’t it?

You can watch the speech and Marie’s performance at the Denver government website. Tip: Skip to around 14 minutes on the video if you just want to hear the vocalist. Her performance received a lukewarm response.  And now I reckon we see there's more than one reason to call Denver the 'mile high city.'

[Text by Kay B. Day; photo of Hickenlooper from City of Denver website.]