Which Anthem? AL Democrat wants “Negro National Anthem” Added To Curriculum

State Representative Arnold Mooney (R-Pelham) spoke in favor of Alabama Senate Bill 13 (SB13) before the Alabama House State Government Committee at the Wednesday, May 7 meeting. Rep. Mooney spoke at the request of bill sponsor State Senator Gerald Allen (R-Tuscaloosa), who introduced the bill earlier this session.

SB13 would amend the Alabama Constitution to mandate that all public K-12 schools broadcast or perform the first stanza of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at least once per week during regular school hours. Local Boards of Education would be responsible for adopting policies to enforce this requirement. Schools would be allowed to use recordings or sheet music archived by the Library of Congress for these broadcasts or performances by “a school-sanctioned band program, choral program, vocal group or vocalist.”

Rep. Moody opened his remarks by saying that the bill “would require that local school systems come up with their plan for how, once a week, they will play the national anthem of our country.”

Rep. Marilyn Lands (D-Huntsville) asked for clarification if it would be at the school’s discretion when it would be played, to which Rep. Mooney replied, “there’s no restriction, it would just be once a week.” The bill requires this if K-12 schools, and the local school board would be responsible for determining how this was done.

Rep. Lands expressed her concern that “kids are growing up in such noise-filled worlds…I’d like to see us have a moment of quiet so our minds can rest a little bit. It’s not that I’m not for the National Anthem, I just feel like we don’t need to be adding other things at this point. We need to give kids some sort of a break from all the oncoming and incoming. That’s my only point.”

Rep. Mooney stated that he would not object to a moment of quiet, but felt the Banner would be beneficial.

Rep. Barbara Boyd (D-Anniston) questioned why this was not being left to local school boards. Rep. Mooney replied that his understanding was that it would be left up to the local school boards, and that the once a week playing of the Anthem would be part of the learning process in schools. Rep. Boyd then stated she had a follow-up question.

“I’d like for the Negro National Anthem to be a part of a curriculum each day,” Boyd said. “I’m not fighting for myself, but I’m thinking of all my forty five years in education. How many parentals or groups, they are here, they are there, and why is this bill necessary at all? I know that you’re doing it for Senator Allen. My concern is, I grew up singing James Weldon Johnson’s “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Which, to many people, and me included, the National…the Star Spangled Banner is just as important. I’m a little confused after forty five years of being around a little bit, of what are we dealing with and why are we having to deal with this right now?

Ed. note: a search of YouTube for “Negro National Anthem” returned no results, but did yield several videos for the “Black National Anthem” such as the one linked above.

Rep. Mooney replied that “about a hundred years ago, our nation adopted it as the national song for our nation, and it’s our belief that it should be a part of the process of education.”

Chairman Chris Sells (R-Greenville) attempted to call a vote on SB13, but Rep. Boyd asked the Chair for permission to continue speaking, which was granted.

“I could sit here in this chair all day long and think of reasons, and think of more animosity, more hidden agendas…I won’t say racism, I don't want to go there. Time changes and trends and everything,“ Boyd said.

“We are what we are because we are brought up to be what we are,” Boyd went on. “I’ve been around here a long time with you (addressing Rep. Mooney, who agreed). You’ve been around here a long time with me. There’s some things I don’t fake, and don’t play with. And there’s no cost or nothing at you, because I’ve been brought up in a way.”

“All I want to say…to God be the glory, and keep on praying for America, period,” Boyd concluded. To this, Rep. Mooney replied, “Amen.”

Chairman Sells then called for a voice vote on SB13, which passed. Rep. Boyd loudly voted “I do” when asked for opposing votes on the bill.

SB13 received a favorable report from the Committee and was sent to the full House for consideration. SB13 passed the Alabama Senate on April 17 with a vote of 25-6.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Alabama has expressed opposition to SB13, citing concerns over potential First Amendment implications. 

SB13 is likely to be brought up to a vote on the House floor on the last legislative day remaining in the 2025 regular session. Should it pass the House, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey will almost certainly sign it. The Constitutional Amendment would then go before the Alabama voters.

The full text of SB13 is available HERE. Wednesday’s Committee meeting may be viewed on YouTube on The Alabama Channel HERE.

Ed. Note: AlPolitics.com initially reported that Rep. Mack Butler Chaired the Committee meeting. This has been corrected, as above.