Social Justice
Singer Sevyn Streeter reportedly denied from singing anthem at 76ers opening game for “We Matter” t-shirt
Singer Sevyn Steeter says she was denied from singing at a 76ers opening game because her t-shirt that said “we matter”.
Singer Sevyn Streeter says she was denied from singing an anthem at a 76ers game because of her t-shirt.
Sevyn Streeter vs 76ers management
The singer was scheduled to sing on Wednesday night at the 76ers season opener against Oklahoma Thunder, but management told Streeter she couldn’t because of her “we matter” t-shirt and her own version of the anthem she was going to sing.
“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,” the R&B singer said by phone to the Associated Press.
“I was never given any kind of dress code. I was never asked beforehand to show my wardrobe.”
Players reportedly upset
A source told ESPN that any on-court performer — singer, dancer, entertainer — must sign a contract that gives the 76ers the right to cancel a performance if the standards described in the contract. The Sixers declined to say why Streeter’s performance was canceled, but according to a report by CBS Philly, the contract prohibited political statements.
The 76ers offered Streeter an alternate shirt and song, but she refused, the report said.
A team representative met with 76ers players Thursday to explain what happened, and multiple players walked away from the meeting upset because of what they were told, a source told ESPN’s Jeff Goodman.
“The Philadelphia 76ers organization encourages meaningful actions to drive social change. 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,” the Sixers said in a statement.
Was suppose to sing the anthem at @sixers & @okcthunder game but mins b4 @sixers said I couldn’t because I was wearing a “We Matter” jersey pic.twitter.com/wjoJN3rq0r
— Sevyn (@sevyn) October 27, 2016
----------------------------------------------------------
Connect with Unheard Voices on Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube
Download the app on Google Play or ITunes.
----------------------------------------------------------
Unheard Voices Magazine is a news reporting platform covered under Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.