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Read the news of the day in less than 10 minutes — not that we’re counting.
Did the Sixers stop Sevyn Streeter from singing the national anthem because of a Black Lives Matter jersey? That’s what she told nearly 170,000 followers on Twitter tonight.
The 76ers did not confirm their reasons for the cancellation but did provide the following statement: “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.”
Last week, at a Sixers preseason game versus the Heat, a singer at the American Airlines Arena performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” in a #BLM shirt while kneeling the whole time. Suffice it to say, nothing like that happened tonight.
Tatiana Ward, a.k.a. Beat Face Honey — the YouTube and IG-famous makeup artist — captured Streeter taping her message.
“(Land) of the free and the home of brave,” Streeter can be seen saying in an IG clip Ward posted. “Because I’m speaking about how I feel,” the singer continued.
“I’m disgusted,” Ward herself says in the clip. “I never thought I would be ashamed of my city. Not ashamed of my city, but ashamed of the Sixers today really.”
The Twittersphere swiftly reacted.
Streeter, a Florida native, is currently promoting singles for her to-be-released debut album, Girl, Interrupted. But she’s an industry vet. Aside from her time in the R&B quartet Rich Girl, and her previously released EPs, she’s a successful songwriter. You may have heard Ariana Grande’s top-ten 2013 single “The Way”— Streeter co-wrote that.
Streeter was set to perform tonight along with rapper Desiigner, who indeed went on during halftime as scheduled.
