Bob CollinsPlenty of people were upset that a Canadian group changed the words to the country’s National Anthem before last night’s baseball All Star game. But there seems to be disagreement about why.
Remigio Pereira sang, “We’re all brothers and sisters. All lives matter to the great” when the line he was supposed to sing was “with glowing hearts we see thee rise, the True North strong and free.”
The new Canadian Anthem? #AllStarGame pic.twitter.com/ViCfYZ4YAd
— Taylor Jones (@TJ) July 13, 2016
What statement was Remigio trying to make when using the phrase “all lives matter,’ which has become a rallying cry for opponents of Black Lives Matter?
“I’ve been so moved lately by the tragic loss of life and I hoped for a positive statement that would bring us all together,” Pereira, an American who’s been kicked out of the group, wrote on Twitter.
Don Cherry, the feisty hockey commentator who’s something of a big deal in Canada, had a different interpretation.
Harrison Mooney, of the Vancouver Sun, called the lyric change an insult to black Canadians.
"And now, please welcome the Tenors, to somehow insult the black community and ruin the Canadian anthem at the same time. Play ball!"
— Harrison Mooney (@HarrisonMooney) July 13, 2016
Canada fact: The Tenors used to be called The Canadian Tenors but they aren't anymore, and good call, because they do NOT speak for us
— Harrison Mooney (@HarrisonMooney) July 13, 2016
The anthem wasn’t shown on U.S. broadcasts, but it aired in Canada.
