I love going to Virginia Union University football games. So, I’m sending this letter hoping that those who hold positions of leadership at the school will encourage the student body to stand and respect the Black National Anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing” when it is played at sporting events.

At one of VUU’s football games last year, I was so embarrassed because so many students and non-students were just walking around, talking, laughing, eating and just totally ignoring this sacred song. Even a lot of football players were ignoring it. I really believe with a little encouragement from faculty and student leaders, this problem can be eliminated.

This is a matter that a lot of people in my generation (Baby Boomers) take seriously so please, I beg of you to handle this with the utmost importance. If people are not going to stand and respect the song, don’t play it. 

But I pray this doesn’t come to that. Most people of my generation know of and know how to present themselves with the song because we came out of segregated schools, and we learned how to stand and sing the song just like you would the Star-Spangled Banner. But the younger generations coming out of integrated schools were not exposed to the anthem like we were. So, they need a little help, maybe.

RONALD COLES

Lynchburg