This past weekend, many people were focused on the NFL and its reaction to #45’s comments about kneeling during the National Anthem. I broke my boycott to see what would happen. Among those singing on Sunday was former American Idol Jordin Sparks. Jordin is a huge Arizona Cardinals fan and the daughter of a former NFL player, Philippi Sparks. Jordin sang before the Cardinals/Cowboys game. Although decked out in her I Heart the Cardinals best, she also wrote “Prov. 31:8-9” on her left hand, that was displayed prominently as it held the mic.
Ok, @JordinSparks, I see u sis.
“Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute”
– Prov. 31:8 pic.twitter.com/F2dTybQCfM— Emmanuel Acho (@thEMANacho) September 26, 2017
The bible verse she has marked on her hand, Proverbs 31, lines 8 & 9 which means:
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
And with that, Jordin didn’t drop the mic, she held it high. I admit, I felt for those signing the anthem. Currently politics aside, I imagine being asked to sing the national anthem anywhere would be an emotional moment for a singer. To have it marred in so much controversy was probably conflicting for many of them. I didn’t feel it was on the singer to make a stand but I appreciated those who did. In addition to Jordin’s ‘comment’, Rico LaVelle and Meghan Linsey, singers at two different NFL games on Sunday, took a knee on the final verse.
Jordin, who is very religious, tried to stay neutral when this whole nightmare began last January by tweeting:
https://t.co/HXul9UuUPl pic.twitter.com/DOBz5j1TKE
— Jordin Sparks (@JordinSparks) January 20, 2017
So really, the fact that she would use her same bible to show defiance against the man she tried to pray for makes her statement even more impactful. I like it. And, of course, so did Twitter:
Jordin Sparks is like, "I dare y'all to argue with the Lawd." pic.twitter.com/3CLGalwkeG
— Britni Danielle (@BritniDWrites) September 26, 2017
How do you protest if you’re the one singing the national anthem? Jordin Sparks everybody… pic.twitter.com/vhtu1GYuop
— Matthew Paul Turner (@HeyMPT) September 26, 2017
Per my mother, Jordin Sparks was bringing the biblical heat to critique Trump pic.twitter.com/XYwTHrYeWZ
— 🤔 (@greatworkbaby) September 26, 2017
things jordin sparks did:
THAT👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/nYI1IUsXrD
— Aaron Sweet (@aaronsweet) September 26, 2017
Photo credit: Twitter and WENN Photos
As well she should. If you’re actually religious (be it Christian/Jewish/Muslim) and trying to follow the tenets of your religion, you would be speaking up for the forgotten, oppressed, and destitute. (And before anyone yells at me, yes of course people who are atheist or agnostic would do these things too-I’m speaking to the hypocrisy of those religious folks.)
+1
Is she even relevant??
She is now.
Are you?
More than you happen to be.
She’s usually flying under the radar (at least for me), but when she appears she always gets the job done with a high level of class and dignity.
+1
Good for her! I don’t really know about this issue but it seemed still a brave thing to do.
I like what she’s done. My Facebook is inundated with endless – like and share if you think players who kneel should sit out the game, and all kinds of other BS. I’ve learned not to engage since Easy D was elected, but I’d had a generous amount of Lemonade/Vodka, and can’t bear to read the responses. Last time I commented on this subject, I had to put a couple of people on ignore. I’m in Georgia, and the ignorance is staggering. One of the posts last night actually had a video of a young (white) widow sobbing over a flag-draped coffin. It just disgusts me how they always claim the patriotism, military, and God.
So many interpretations of what freedom of speech means, right? Should I love or hate FB for outing so many of our “friends” as kinda deplorable? Idk…
Neither do I!
It’s certainly a change to see a Bible verse at a football game not being brandished by someone in a rainbow wig.
That said, I’m not a religious person at all and side eye all bible thumping celebs, but I love that someone used Bible verses against the so-called religious right.
I like her and though I still don’t understand her relationship with Jason “say my name in every song cause im that tacky and sleazy ” derulo, kudos for using her platform to speak her mind with a simple gesture.
#classy
Omg I’m balling. This was the most touching thing I’ve seen any celebrity do regarding everything going on. So classy and compassionate. We all could learn something from Jordin. God bless her. <3
Good for her. Classy way to speak up.
Also the anthem singers I thought did a great job. A few kneeled, one guy kneeled at the end and did the first salute. Lots of variation in solidarity
I’m on the fence here, she did display a relevant message, but why so subtle? Just kneel. I guess I don’t understand.
1. She is beautiful.
2. Jason Derulo is still an….ugh, I hate him.
3. This made me cry.
She’s so freaking beautiful, holy shit.
A bible verse, hey? Wow, so helpful. Why doesn’t she like..SPEAK OUT rather than writing some verse from a book on her hand.