‘Momentum low, sweet car’: English rugby union bosses review a song from a slave song used as a term

‘Momentum low, sweet car’: English rugby union bosses review a song from a slave song used as a term
The Football Union in Rugby (RFU) did not react immediately to CNN, but in a statement published to the British media, the organization stated that it is determined to “accelerate change and raise awareness”. Black living matter movements movements corporation and institutions to re-examine how they operate.

“RFU has stated that we need to do more to achieve diversity and we are determined to accelerate change and raise awareness,” the governing body said in a statement.

“The song Swing Low, Sweet Chariot has long been part of rugby culture, and is sung by many who are unaware of its origins or sensibilities.

“We review its historical context and our role in educating fans to make informed decisions.”

Former England rugby player Maggie Alphonsi spoke about why she no longer sings the song, writing on Twitter: “I will NEVER stop using my voice !!”
Brian Moore, former English rugby union player and commentator He said: “The world was moving on and, rightly, things that were normal then should not necessarily be normal now … It should be celebrated in its proper context.”

But former English cricket captain Michael Vaughan posted news of problems around the song on Instagram with the caption: “Please tell me if I’m wrong … but it certainly can’t be true !! ??”

READ: ‘Slap in the Face of History’ – Should a song from slave-owning times have been used as a phenomenon?

Is it true that rugby fans sing a song from the slave age?

The song “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” is one of the most famous African American priestesses. Reputable, emotional, and rooted in the horrors of American slavery and the oppression of the race.

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But in the last three decades, the well-known melody has also been the adopted anthem of the English rugby union team, and its enchanting choir is a frequent echo in the stadiums where the national team plays.

And therein lies the problem.

Cornell Brooks, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
In 2017, CNN Sport questioned whether it was right to use a song from the slave-owning era – one that is believed to be a coded message for those slaves seeking the subway to freedom – to encourage the national team to sports fame.

Should texts about suffering and despair be sung by thousands of England fans who are often middle class and often white?

“A slap in the face to the history of slavery,” Cornell William Brooks, then president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), described the use of this spiritual in the sports arena. Brooks is now Professor Hauser of Nonprofit Practice and Professor of Public Leadership and Social Justice at Harvard Kennedy School.
Lord Herman Ouseley, chairman of the anti-racist group Kick it Out 2017, said that singing “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” to cheer up the rugby team was a matter of “ignorance, lack of sensitivity and arrogance”, while American academics called it cultural appropriations.

Three years ago, when asked by CNN whether the RFU would review the use of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”, a spokesman for the governing body of English rugby said: “Swing Low has been associated with rugby clubs and rugby clubs for decades. rugby team. “

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