From singer Sevyn Streeter’s Twitter:
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
Instead of Sevyn, the team had a 76ers dancer perform the anthem.
The 76ers definitely have the right to decide how their platform is used, but I don’t see their issue with her wearing this jersey. The team will definitely receive negative backlash for this, and people are not going to be happy. What was their issue with the jersey? Who knows, but it is definitely wrong to not let her sing.
Streeter should’ve been allowed to wear the jersey and perform. It will be interesting to see what the team has to say about this.
UPDATE: The team officially issued an apology for not letting Streeter perform the national anthem and wants her to come back another time to sing the anthem.
We are sorry this happened. After receiving feedback from our players, basketball operations staff, and ownership group, we believe that the wrong decision was made, and Sevyn should have been welcomed to sing. We apologize to her, and in an effort to move the conversation forward, we have reached out to offer her an opportunity to return and perform at a game of her choice. We are waiting to hear back.
