Sevyn Streeter was scheduled to perform at the Philadelphia 76ers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder game Wednesday night. But just minutes before she was set to sing the National Anthem, Streeter said her performance was canceled. Why? Because she was wearing a jersey that read “We Matter.”
The 30-year-old R&B singer went to social media to briefly explain the situation. In a 10-second video, she says Sixers officials told her she was prohibited from performing because of the message emblazoned on her jersey. She has yet to provide further details; however, this information was enough to enrage the Twittersphere.
The incident comes just days after singer Leah Tysse took a knee during her performance of the National Anthem at the Sacramento Kings preseason game.
“I cannot idly stand by as black people are unlawfully profiled, harassed, and killed by our law enforcement over and over and without a drop of accountability," Tysse wrote on Facebook. “The sad reality is, as a white American, I am bestowed a certain privilege in this nation that is not enjoyed by all people. Black families are having much different conversations with their children about how to interact with the police than white families. Let’s be honest. Until we can recognize that white privilege exists we cannot have a dialogue about race.”
On Oct. 21, Denasia Lawrence made headlines when she, too, knelt while singing the National Anthem at a Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers game. Lawrence was wearing a Black Lives Matter shirt at the time.
