Fans from around the world have applauded Sheryl Lee Ralph’s performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the Black National Anthem, at Super Bowl LVII, as well as the halftime show, performed by Robyn Rihanna Fenty, known simply as Rihanna. There have also been outcries from the usual group of racists who can’t abide anything Black being celebrated, anywhere.
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Both performances received kudos from the Caribbean, a region represented by both women. Ralph’s mother is Jamaican; Rihanna was born and raised in Barbados, to a Bajan father and Guyanese mother.
Caribbean Matters is a weekly series from Daily Kos. If you are unfamiliar with the region, check out Caribbean Matters: Getting to know the countries of the Caribbean.
For a history of the Black National Anthem, revisit 2019’s “Lift Every Voice and Sing for Black History.” In case you missed Ralph’s rendition, it can be found on YouTube as well as below.
In October 2022, Ralph was awarded the Order of Jamaica. As VICE News noted at the time, the 65-year-old star of Abbott Elementary “was one of 10 recipients to receive the nation’s fifth-highest honor, the Order of Jamaica (OJ), given to ‘citizens of outstanding distinction.’”
Her daughter, Ivy Coco Maurice, proudly announced the news with video of the ceremony.
Ralph’s late mother, Ivy Ralph, was a recipient of the Order of Distinction—the nation’s sixth-highest honor—in 1999, as the designer of the Kariba (also spelled Kareeba) suit in the 1950s. In September 2022, Vanessa Calys-Tagoe wrote about the Kariba and its significance as “the suit that represented decolonization” for Face2Face Africa.
Jamaican males decided to break free from the yoke of the jacket and tie after gaining independence from Great Britain. The stylish, open-neck, over-the-pants Kareeba and matching trousers suit evolved into the country’s official standard for formal occasions, work attire, and everyday wear.
When Prime Minister Michael Manley came into power in 1972, he and his administration chose the Kareeba as their official uniform to show that they were breaking with the past. The Prime Minister donned a fancy black one when he saw Queen Elizabeth II, and the Government even had a statute approved in Parliament confirming the appropriateness of the attire for formal events.
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Other noteworthy politicians who wore the style of the suit were D.K. Duncan, a PNP member, Errol Barrow, the prime minister of Barbados, Forbes Burnham, the president of Guyana, the president of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and Julius Nyerere, the president of Tanzania. Ivy Ralph, the creator of the Kariba suit, received the Order of Distinction in 1999 for her exceptional work in advancing fashion.
As the solo star of this year’s halftime show, Rihanna thrilled with her performance (watch it here), but she has done far more than entertain.
At just 34, the nine-time Grammy winner, mother, and billionaire entrepreneur is also a major philanthropist.
With a global net-worth of $1.7 billion (approximately £1.4 billion), the second-best-selling female music artist of all time clearly still finds time for charity work after having set up a foundation geared towards investing in her home country.
The official website of the foundation explains that the Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF) was founded in 2012 by the Umbrella singer.
It got the name 'Clara Lionel Foundation' in 'honor' of Rihanna's grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite. The CLF's slogan puts forward: "A Vision for a Climate-Ready Caribbean."
All about investing money in 'climate justice initiatives', the foundation helps communities 'prepare and withstand' natural disasters.
In 2021, Rihanna—who was appointed a national ambassador in 2018—was declared a national hero in Barbados by Prime Minister Mia Mottley.
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“On behalf of a grateful nation, but an even prouder people, we therefore present to you the designee for national hero of Barbados, Ambassador Robyn Rihanna Fenty,” Mottley declared at the ceremony.
“May you continue to shine like a diamond and bring honor to your nation by your words, by your actions, and to do credit, wherever you shall go,” said Mottley, whose message was in reference to one of Rihanna’s most famous hits, Diamonds.
The prime minister also acknowledged Rihanna’s humble beginnings, from being born in Saint Michael and raised in the capital of Bridgetown.
Rihanna was only 15 years old when she was discovered by American producer Evan Rogers and from there, she was propelled to fame after her debut single Pon de Replay came out in 2006. From there, she has amassed 14 No. 1 singles in the Billboard Hot 100 and has multiple Grammy nods and wins under her belt.
She also ventured in business, setting up her cosmetics and fashion empire—Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty.
Kudos to Rihanna not just for her success, and not just for nailing that halftime show (while visibly pregnant with her second child!), but for her unswerving commitment to supporting and sustaining charitable efforts both at home and around the globe.
Of course, Rihanna and Ralph weren’t the only folks representing the Caribbean at this year’s Super Bowl. Kansas City cornerback Joshua Williams is a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis. Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Linval Joseph was born in St. Croix. Eagles wide receiver Zach Pascal’s parents are from Grenada. Eagles defensive end Robert Quinn’s mother is from Puerto Rico (and his sister won an Olympic gold medal in 2020 for the island nation). Chiefs running back Isaiah Pacheco is Puerto Rican on his father’s side. And these players are far from the only ones representing the region this NFL season.
I’ve made my feelings known about people, some of whom are Black Americans, who denigrate our connections to the Caribbean; Rihanna and Ralph are two stellar examples who remind us of our interconnections, as do the players.
RELATED STORY: Caribbean Matters: Celebrating Black Caribbean Americans in the U.S. while combating xenophobia
So let’s give them another round of applause. Join me in the comments to discuss your reactions to the show, and for the weekly Caribbean News Roundup.